I would argue that given how many pools there are for a given title, players do near as much standing around at EVO then any other major--particularly given that once round 1 and 2 are done (unless they are competing in multiple games) they become spectators like everyone else.
As far as "access" goes, I think it depends on who you want to talk to as simply saying "top player" is too broad in my opinion. For example, at a smaller tournament, the likelihood of Toshimichi Mori, Akira Nishitani or Yakeshi Yamanaka being present is almost non-existent--at EVO I walked up to each of them and had a conversation.Machabo more than likely won't be in attendance, and neither will BAS, Jeondding, Armada, YuYu, FAB, Problem-X or any other player who simply would have no reason to travel to a smaller event, except in rare circumstances.
So while I would concede there will always be "top players" of one kind or another at a smaller event, there are some players you will only have the opportunity to talk to at major events, and some, probably only at EVO.
Further, I can't see Nintendo bringing Smash Bros. Ultimate or Arc System Works brining Kill la Kill the Game: IF to a smaller tournament as it just wouldn't make good business sense. So if you're into that sort of thing, again, EVO is second to none.
