Select Year
2026
Aug 11 - Aug 15, 2026
Chess is coming to the Esports World Cup 2026 after debuting at EWC 2025, where Magnus Carlsen, competing under Team Liquid, claimed the inaugural title. His victory helped establish chess as a natural fit on the EWC stage, blending classical mastery with modern esports competition.
22
Competing Players
$1,500,000
Prize Pool
BUY TICKETS
Participating Players
This year, the EWC Chess tournament is growing!
The first phase, new to EWC, is the Play-in phase, which will host 8 players qualified via the Last Chance Qualifier and Dreamhack Atlanta. These players will face off in a Double elimination bracket, playing 2 games per match.
The best players from Play-in will qualify to Group Stage, and will be joined by the best of the best from Qualifier tournaments. In group stage, 16 players will be divided into 2 groups of 8, which will play their matches in double elimination brackets again, playing 2 games per match. Top 4 from both groups qualify to the Playoffs.
Playoffs are a no-second-chances, single elimination bracket, with 4 games per match in Round of 8, and 6 games per match in Semi-Finals. The winner of this years tournament will be decided after a grueling Grand Finals match compromised of 3 sets of Games.
Road to EWC 2026 - Qualifiers
77%
17/22 Slots Claimed
Aug 4th - Aug 6th
Paris
5 Players Qualify
EWC Last Chance Qualifier
Ongoing
Oct 13th - Feb 8th
Global
2 Players Qualify
Speed Chess Championship
completed
Mar 14th - Apr 26th
Global
1 Players Qualify
Chess.com Open
completed
May 15th - May 17th
Atlanta, USA
4 Players Qualify
Chess at ROAD TO EWC 26: DreamHack Atlanta
completed
May 15th - May 17th
Atlanta, USA
4 Players Qualify
Chess: Atlanta Qualifiers
completed
Sep 2nd - May 23rd
Global
9 Players Qualify
CCT Leaderboard
completed
Aug 4th - Aug 6th
Paris
5 Players Qualify
EWC Last Chance Qualifier
Ongoing
Oct 13th - Feb 8th
Global
2 Players Qualify
Speed Chess Championship
completed
Mar 14th - Apr 26th
Global
1 Players Qualify
Chess.com Open
completed
May 15th - May 17th
Atlanta, USA
4 Players Qualify
Chess at ROAD TO EWC 26: DreamHack Atlanta
completed
Last Chance Qualifier Format
Phase 1 - Group Stage
256 players
8 Groups of 32 players - Swiss
1 game per match
Top 2 of each group to Playoffs
Phase 2 - Playoffs
16 Players, Double Elimination Bracket
2 games per match in all matches but qualification ones
4 games per match in qualification matches
Top 5 Players qualify for Chess at Esports World Cup 2026
Day 1- August 4th 2026
| Start Time CEST | Games per Match | Round | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 | 1 | A+B | Swiss R1 |
| 12:25 | 1 | A+B | Swiss R2 |
| 12:50 | 1 | A+B | Swiss R3 |
| 13:15 | 1 | A+B | Swiss R4 |
| 13:40 | 1 | A+B | Swiss R5 |
| 14:05 | 1 | A+B | Swiss R6 |
| 14:30 | 1 | A+B | Swiss R7 |
| 15:25 | 1 | C+D | Swiss R1 |
| 15:50 | 1 | C+D | Swiss R2 |
| 16:15 | 1 | C+D | Swiss R3 |
Rulebook
About
Chess grand masters earn their title for life after years of dedication to the game, outplaying opponents by thinking multiple steps ahead and adapting strategies as matches unfold. What began as a traditional contest of intellect has evolved into a certified esport, with the competitive scene gaining global momentum in 2020 and bringing high stakes, emotion, and drama to audiences around the world.
Each match begins on equal footing, with both players controlling identical pieces, each defined by its own movement and unified by a single objective: protect the King. Turn by turn, players maneuver to corner their opponent’s King while anticipating every possible counter, creating a tense contest of precision and foresight. Chess at EWC 25 led to the pairing of the world’s best grandmasters with premier esports organizations, setting the stage for unmatched intensity and rivalry.
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