Chess will be part of the inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026, to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2 to 29 November 2026. The inclusion of the game reflects its growing presence in the global esports ecosystem and its appeal to younger, digital-first audiences. The event will feature 16 competitive titles, with chess among the most notable additions.
Tournament Format
The chess competition will run from 2 November to 8 November 2026. A total of 128 players will participate. The opening stage will have 16 groups of eight players each in a round-robin format. The top four from each group will advance to a 64-player knockout stage.
- Group stage and the Round of 64 and Round of 32 will use a best-of-two format.
- Quarterfinals onwards will use a best-of-four format.
- Armageddon games will be used as tie-breakers if needed.
- All matches will follow a Rapid 10+0 time control.
Qualification System
Players will represent nations, with a maximum of two players from each country. Of the 128 slots, 64 players from 64 nations will receive direct invitations based on Champions Chess Tour rankings. Only one player per nation will qualify directly through this route. The remaining places will be filled through regional qualifiers and wildcard entries. The cut-off date for direct qualification through CCT rankings is 26 May 2026. If fewer than 64 nations are represented, results from the Titled Tuesday Spring Split will be used as a tie-breaker.
Regional Qualifiers and Global Reach
Chess.com will conduct regional qualifiers across seven regions on 6–7 June and 13–14 June 2026. Each region will offer eight qualification slots, with two qualifiers from every region. This system is designed to widen participation and improve representation from emerging chess nations. Chess first appeared at the Esports World Cup in 2025, where it attracted wide attention and brought the game into a new competitive format. The nation-based structure of the Esports Nations Cup is expected to increase fan engagement and add a stronger sense of identity to the competition.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026