Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s Kagaribi#13 tournament, scheduled for May 4, 2025, in Japan, is set to be a landmark event, gathering top players globally, including reigning champion FaZe Sparg0. Notably, this prestigious competition will not feature any cash prizes due to Japan’s strict gambling laws, classifying it as a gambling event because of entry fees. Despite the absence of financial rewards, winning this tournament will be a significant achievement within the Smash community’s history.
After nearly seven years since its launch, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is gearing up for its most significant tournament yet, set for 2025. This monumental event will unite the world’s elite players, but intriguingly, it will not offer any cash prizes—a truly unexpected turn of events.
On May 4, 2025, Smash Ultimate competitors will converge in Japan for Kagaribi#13, a tournament that is rapidly gaining acclaim within the Smash community.
This event is already recognized as one of the most prestigious in the Smash circuit, particularly given Japan’s reputation for producing exceptional talent, including players like Acola, Miya, Hurt, Zackray, Shuton, and Asimo. However, this upcoming edition is set to take the competition to unprecedented heights.
Kagaribi#13 is anticipated to eclipse major tournaments such as Genesis, EVO, and Super Smash Con (Supernova) in terms of competitive intensity. Yet, unlike its counterparts, the victor of this tournament will walk away without any financial reward.
Kagaribi#13: A Historic Milestone in Smash Ultimate
While it’s common for players from Europe and North America to make the journey to Japan for Kagaribi, this particular edition promises to be extraordinary as it features all the top competitors.
In addition to the Japanese superstars, the tournament will host FaZe Sparg0, the reigning champion, along with a formidable lineup of talent, including MkLeo, Zomba, Tweek, Sonix, Light, Glutonny, Riddles, Kola, Luugi, Crêpe salée, Shadic, and many others.
The magnitude of this event is so significant that LumiRank, the premier ranking service for Smash, has introduced a new category labeled “Superpremier” to encompass this tournament. While this recognition is commendable, it comes without an accompanying prize pool.
The Absence of Cash Prizes at the Biggest Smash Ultimate Tournament
No matter whether a player secures the top spot or is eliminated in the early rounds, the reality is that no competitor will leave with any money. This situation arises due to stringent Japanese government regulations concerning gambling.
So why are tournaments like the Capcom Cup 11, which also takes place in Japan, able to offer substantial prize pools, while Kagaribi#13 cannot?
The key difference lies in the structure of the tournaments. The Capcom Cup is an invitation-only event where all players have their travel costs covered and are assured of receiving a prize.
Conversely, Kagaribi#13 operates as an open registration tournament that requires entry fees. Because participants are required to pay to compete, Japanese law classifies this event as a form of gambling, making the establishment of a cash prize illegal.
Entry fees are crucial for the tournament’s viability. For local players, the registration fee is set at 3000 yen (approximately €20), while international players face a higher fee of 4000 yen (around €27).
With potentially hundreds or thousands of participants, waiving these fees would result in a substantial financial loss for the organizers. Additionally, the costs involved in creating a prize pool would further complicate matters.
While there are potential avenues to navigate Japan’s gambling laws, no practical solution has yet been identified for Kagaribi#13. To ensure the tournament remains accessible to all, the organizers have opted against offering monetary prizes.
As the release of the Switch 2 approaches and whispers of Super Smash Bros. 6 grow louder, Kagaribi#13 might stand as the inaugural and final “Superpremier” tournament in the Smash Ultimate timeline.
Winning this tournament, despite the lack of financial incentives, will undoubtedly carve a permanent place in the history of the Smash community. This prestigious title will be a source of pride for the future champion, forever inscribed in the chronicles of esports.