The Capcom Cup is the biggest events held in fighting games, with a record prize pool. The final round of this first year of competitive SF 6 started here. So far, we’ve seen the Capcom Cup X Group Stage kick things off with a bang. Over a three-day schedule though, there are a lot of matches to cover. How has the Capcom Cup Group Stage started?

The final round has now begun in earnest, after a tight Last Chance Qualifier locked in a final name. After a couple of days of competition, we’ve seen a few names already standing out in the Capcom Cup X. Not only will this decide our final bracket, but it’ll set the tone for which players are dominating and who are entering the bracket as underdogs. How has the Capcom Cup X Group Stage gone so far?

Source: Capcom Fighters

Capcom Cup X Group Stage Begins

We’re now at the conclusion of the Capcom Cup X Group Stage, which has stretched over three full days of competition! While the pacing has been strange, this format has meant every match can be focused on. A lot more exciting than being condensed into a pools round where we don’t see every game. Only the top 2 players are moving to the Bracket from each group, with the others all knocked out. How has it gone so far for those hoping to wint he biggest prize in fighting game esports for 2024?

Groups A – D See Clear Standouts Emerge

Starting in Group A, Phenom has won his slot in the final bracket. Not just winning, he’s already managed to get ahead with a clean 4-0 run. He’s not lost a set here. He’ll be heading into the final as something close to a favorite off the back of this. With this kind of result, it’s hard for the others to turn it around, but it currently looks like Kawano is heading to the losers bracket as the runner-up.

Group B hasn’t been as clean. Chris Wong is definitely the standout, at 3-0 right now. Big Bird has performed strongly too though, and the remaining match ups include a clash between these two directly as the final match.

Group C’ is being led by NuckleDu who similarly hasn’t lost a round a yet, but there is still more to play here. Group D has Mikex and NL nearly neck and neck right now, it’ll likely come down to our Day Three results here. These early groups have had some surprises from when the Capcom Cup X Group Stage was announced though.

Source: Capcom Fighters

Groups E – H – F as Close as Expected

The second half of groups are much closer, even given it is earlier for these. Xian is leading Group E right now with a 4-0 record, but Fuudo is right behind at 3-0 with fewer games players. F was one of our most stacked Groups in the lead-up, and it shows from the results so far.

Leshar and MenaRD sit on top of the standings at a joint 2-1. With Caba and Angrybird both just behind at 2-1 and 2-2, there’s still a lot to play for in this group. F has some of the best Street Fighter 6 players, and it’s interesting to see things this close in the Capcom Cup X Group Stage.

Group G and H both have had considerably fewer matches completed so far. Both UMA327 and KUSANAGI have had impressive early results here. It’s a bit too soon to make too many judgments though.

That’s how things look at the moment with the Capcom Cup X Group Stage. There’s not too much more left to be played here though. There are already standout players. Looking at the results so far, having so many impressive players in a single group might make for a disappointment when only two can go forward. It’ll ensure only the very best make it to the weekend’s rounds though.