Everything to know about Smash Factor 9

After a couple of weeks without major competition, the Super Smash Bros. scene is returning in full force — multiple major events are happening around the world this weekend. North America’s premier tournament of the weekend, Smash Factor 9, will take place in Puebla, Mexico.

With top players from Mexico, the United States, Central and South America, and even Europe slated to attend, the event will feature a wide array of global talent. Here’s everything viewers need to know going into the Mexican major.

Players to watch

Titans like Leonardo “MkLeo” López Pérez and William “Glutonny” Belaid will be the favorites to win Ultimate Singles at Smash Factor 9. However, No. 5 seed Enrique “Maister” Hernández Solís could also be a sleeper pick to win it all. Maister recently earned his first-ever offline win over MkLeo; López Pérez has been his biggest obstacle to winning a major up to this point. If he can clear that hurdle again, Maister could easily claim his first major victory in the process.

In addition, 68th seed Kenneth “Keen” Hanss has a good shot at earning several upsets at this major. The Chilean Wolf main recently upset Maister, Rodrigo “Cloudy” Arias and Javier “Javi” Balderas at the Factor Prelude pre-local. As a result, Keen could very well make a similarly deep run at the main event.

Can't wait for Smash Factor this month, it'll be my first time in Mexico 🇲🇽 https://t.co/Ef8ca85VjR

— Wizzrobe (@Wizzrobe) July 14, 2022

After unceremoniously dropping out of three Melee majors earlier in the year, Justin “Wizzrobe” Hallett is finally poised to attend his first tournament since December. While Wizzrobe is projected to win Smash Factor 9, doing so will likely require beating Johnny “S2J” Kim. S2J boasts a lifetime winning record against Wizzrobe.

This tournament will also be Vicente “Chape” Sánchez’s last event of the Melee Stats Free Agent Showcase. Since he started competing in the United States earlier this month, the Chilean Fox main has bested Yasin “Mekk” Mekki, Eduardo “Eddy Mexico” Lucatero Rincón and Evan “Fizzwiggle” Akhavan. However, this will be Chape’s last chance to secure a top 30-level win like he did against Zaid “Spark” Ali at the Smash World Tour Championships last year.

How to watch Smash Factor 9

SmashFactorGaming on Twitch will provide the primary broadcast for this major from Friday to Sunday. While there will reportedly be more than seven total streams for the event, the tournament organizers have not yet announced further broadcast information, nor have they revealed the overall event schedule.

Smash Factor 9 will contribute to both of the biggest ongoing Smash circuits, for both Melee and Ultimate players. It will be a platinum stop for the 2022 Smash World Tour. In addition, two players from each game will secure spots at the Panda Cup Finale during this event.