Chess will return to the global esports stage following the highly successful debut in 2025. The qualifying cycle for the 2026 Esports World Cup (EWC) will see major changes, making it bigger, better, and more competitive.
The Champions Chess Tour 2025 served as the primary pathway for this year’s Esports World Cup where the world’s best players competed for a substantial prize fund, huge fan enthusiasm, a high-class production team, and significant investments in chess from the world’s biggest esports organizations. While the inaugural season was a triumph, its short qualification window—with just two CCT events—left room for more.
For 2025/2026, Chess.com will unite its three most prestigious events under one umbrella: Titled Tuesday, Speed Chess Championship (SCC), and the returning Chess.com Global Championship (CGC). Together, these events will form the new Champions Chess Tour (CCT), which will qualify 12 players for the Esports World Cup in 2026.
The expanded system offers three qualification paths and year-round competition:
- Titled Tuesday: Players can earn points for their best eight TT performances across three Grand Prix “Splits”. The new season kicks off with Split 1 on September 2.
- Speed Chess Championship: The $250,000 event is starting in October 2025 and concluding in February 2026 with a LIVE final.
- Chess.com Global Championship: Qualifiers will begin in March 2026 and Playoffs conclude in May. The event will also offer a $250,000 prize fund.
The top three finishers in both SCC and CGC automatically qualify, and there will be no extra spots for repeat qualifiers. Further spots will be decided by the overall CCT Tour leaderboard until there are 12 players qualified. Remaining spots and qualification will be announced at a later date.
IM Danny Rensch, Chess.com’s Chief Chess Officer, summed up the vision: “The 2024-2025 EWC Final was a MASSIVE success for chess, and Chess.com was thrilled to support the qualification cycle with two great events. In this next season, we are doubling down in every way—with bigger prize funds, more qualification paths, more broadcasts, and a live final. The 2025-2026 cycle is going to be incredible, and we can’t wait to launch it.”
In this next season, we are doubling down in every way—with bigger prize funds, more qualification paths, more broadcasts, and a live final.
—Danny Rensch, Chess.com CCO
Carlsen is the defending champion after a spectacular and highly entertaining final against GM Alireza Firouzja in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Norwegian is guaranteed a place in the next EWC, and said in a statement:
“I’m excited for a second year of EWC Chess. This new qualification cycle means more events and more chances for the world’s best players to meet me back in Riyadh.”
This new qualification cycle means more events and more chances for the world’s best players to meet me back in Riyadh.
—Magnus Carlsen
Announcing State of Chess On September 2
The next installment of Chess.com’s State of Chess will take place following the Titled Tuesday kickoff on September 2.
As usual, the show is led by Danny, who will be joined by a number of (surprise!) guests. They will share more details about the upcoming EWC cycle, changes in the Titled Tuesday events, what we’ve been up to at Chess.com and much more.
Chess.com’s CCO will answer any questions you may have about the updates, and feel free to send in your questions in the comment section below.
Here’s what you can expect to see during the show:
- Titled Tuesday & EWC Updates
- Chess.com Updates
- Choose Your Coach
- Partnerships
- Q&A With Danny
Tune in to our Twitch and YouTube channels on Tuesday, September 2 at 1.30 p.m. ET / 18.30 CEST / 11.00 p.m. IST to enjoy the show and participate with your questions.
What type of update do you like to hear about on State of Chess? Let us know in the comments below!
