ePARA to Host Barrier-Free Esports Tournament “Hachi-F 26” in Hachimantai, Iwate in July 2026

ePARA Inc. (Headquarters: Toda, Saitama; Representative Director: Daiki Kato) will hold the barrier-free esports tournament “Hachi-F 26” over two days, July 11 and 12, 2026, at Appi Resort Center Plaza Hall in Hachimantai, Iwate Prefecture. Set in Hachimantai and supported by multiple sponsors and partners, the event is an inclusive esports gathering where players with and without disabilities can interact and compete on the same stage. Tournament entry opens today, May 15, 2026, alongside the launch of a crowdfunding campaign to support the event. Hachi-F is a barrier-free esports event held in Hachimantai, Iwate, designed so that anyone can participate. First launched in 2023, it is now in its fourth year as an annual event. Regardless of disability, age, or gaming experience, every participant can stand on stage as “one player,” and the tournament has continued to draw attention each year. Beyond competition, the event aims to create a place where participants can connect with one another and take a first step toward their own personal challenge. The event will be held under the name Hachi-F 26. Doors open at 10:00 on Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12, 2026, at Appi Resort Center Plaza Hall in Hachimantai, Iwate. The organizer is ePARA Inc., with cooperation from Hachimantai City. Admission is free. Players should apply through the tournament entry forms, while those attending only as spectators or for casual matches should register through the spectator and general participation form. The featured title is Street Fighter 6 (©CAPCOM), and the official special site is https://8f.gg/. Crowdfunding for Hachi-F 26 will open on CAMPFIRE on Friday, May 15, 2026. Supporters will receive rewards such as original merchandise commemorating the tournament. ePARA hopes to expand, together with more people, the potential of esports to enable competition beyond the presence or absence of disabilities. Sponsors include Sycom Inc., JAPANNEXT Inc., Yogibo Inc., SteelSeries, and GRAPHT / MSY Inc. Sycom, a BTO PC manufacturer headquartered in Yashio, Saitama, will provide gaming PCs that support the event’s operations and match environment, helping participants focus on play in a stable setting. Through PC systems designed for strong cooling performance, low noise, and long-duration stability, Sycom supports a tournament environment where anyone can challenge themselves on the same stage regardless of disability or play style. Event content includes the Battle Area, a fighting game match and交流 area with more than 30 Street Fighter 6 setups where anyone can enjoy matches. The gaming PCs used for the stations are provided by Sycom, ensuring a comfortable and stable competitive environment. The ePARA Game Accessibility Experience Area is built around the concept of barrier-free esports. It will feature match setups using Street Fighter 6 sound accessibility functions, accessible controllers, and other tools that support gaming experiences for people with disabilities. By deepening understanding of input-assist devices, the event aims to spread information in the Tohoku region about ICT-based support. Consultations related to independent living support for people with disabilities will also be available. The exhibition area will include a special Hachimantai City booth and other displays. The merchandise and food area will offer Iwate specialties and meals, allowing visitors to enjoy the appeal of Hachimantai alongside the gaming experience. Commenting on Sycom’s sponsorship, Representative Director Takashi Kono said that as Hachi-F enters its fourth year, it is deeply meaningful to see a place continue to grow where anyone, regardless of disability, can stand on the same stage as a player. Esports has the potential to connect people and enable challenges across differences in age, physical characteristics, and region. As a BTO PC manufacturer, Sycom sees providing a stable PC environment to support such challenges as one of its important roles. The company will continue supporting initiatives like Hachi-F and contributing to the creation of esports environments where everyone can more easily take on challenges.