Mr. George TSOI, JP, Commissioner for Sports, Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Mr. Geoffrey KAO, Honorary President, Hong Kong China Chess Federation, Mr. K.K. CHAN, President, Hong Kong China Chess Federation, Ms. HOU Yifan, Women’s world No.1 Ms. Hou Yifan, Ms. Jane SHEN, Vice President, Hong Kong China Chess Federation
Organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the Hong Kong China Chess Federation Limited, the "FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2026" will be held in Hong Kong for the very first time, taking place from 17 to 21 June 2026 at Queen Elizabeth Stadium.
The tournament, which establishes Hong Kong as the epicentre of the chess world, will convene 42 teams and more than 300 world-class players from across the globe, all competing for a total prize purse of €500,000. The event is anticipated to attract players and tourists from more than 50 countries, significantly boosting the development of the city’s sports tourism and related industries and further solidifying Hong Kong’s position as a centre for major international sports events.
The fourth edition of the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships also marks its inaugural appearance in East Asia. In gathering the world's elite players in Hong Kong, the tournament promises a showcase of high-level match-ups, defined by its rapid pace and dynamic complexity. For audiences, it is an opportunity to witness first-hand the strategic brilliance and real-time decision-making of global masters, offering an immersive insight into the captivating world-class international chess.
Grandmasters Gather in Hong Kong
Some 50 top-100 players, from both the men’s and women’s categories, have confirmed their attendance, making this the strongest field in the event’s history. Among them are seven of the world’s top ten male players and four of the world’s top ten female players, including current World No.1 Magnus Carlsen and women’s World No.1 Hou Yifan.
Reigning Blitz champion WR Chess Team has confirmed Magnus Carlsen will be returning to board 1, alongside Fabiano Caruana on board 2 with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave also joining the lineup. Their women’s boards remain unchanged, with Hou Yifan and Alexandra Kosteniuk. Six Hong Kong teams will compete, providing local players with a rare and invaluable opportunity to compete alongside the world’s elite.
Women’s world No.1 Ms. Hou Yifan remarked, “I am eagerly anticipating the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Hong Kong. This is more than just a matchup of minds featuring the world’s elite. It is a pivotal milestone that will elevate the profile of chess across the Greater China. As a premier international city with world-class facilities and a vibrant community, Hong Kong is perfectly positioned to bring its unique vibrance to this prestigious tournament.”
Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich, President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), said, “FIDE is truly delighted to learn that Hong Kong is hosting the tournament. In recent years, we have watched your city grow into a genuine powerhouse of the game. One of the key pillars of the revival has been the hard work and enthusiasm of the Hong Kong China Chess Federation. We believe Hong Kong is the perfect stage for expanding this collaboration and we look forward to seeing you all in Hong Kong this June.”
Mr. Geoffrey Kao, Honorary President of the Hong Kong China Chess Federation, said, “We are honoured to partner with the International Chess Federation (FIDE) to bring this world-class tournament to Hong Kong. This event gathers the world’s most distinguished chess elite. While past editions have predominantly been held in Europe, its relocation to Hong Kong this year signifies a historic shift, bringing the global chess spotlight to Asia—and specifically to Hong Kong—on an unprecedented scale. With participants expected from over 50 countries, the tournament will be broadcast globally via major media and live-streaming platforms, allowing millions of spectators to discover and engage with our city. This is more than just a sporting spectacle; it serves as a vital window to showcase Hong Kong’s internationalism, vibrant dynamism, and unique urban charm to the world, further solidifies Hong Kong’s status as the Premier Hub for Mega Events.”
Mr. George TSOI, JP, Commissioner for
M Mark Event
The "FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2026" is awarded “M” Mark status by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolising an intense, spectacular and signature event in the territory’s sports calendar, which help enhance the image of Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events.
Mixed Team Format with Total Prize Fund €500,000
Following three successful editions in Düsseldorf (2023), Astana (2024), and London (2025), the championship returns with an exciting format: mixed teams where elite professionals and recreational players compete side by side across rapid, and blitz events. Every match is played on six boards, and each team must include at least one female player and at least one recreational player, defined as someone who has never achieved a FIDE rating of 2000 or higher in standard, rapid, or blitz.
Mr. Daniel LAM, Hong Kong, China Representative at the 19th Asian Games
The FIDE World Team Rapid Chess Championship will be played as a 12-round Swiss tournament across three days (June 17-19), with four rounds per day and a time control of 15 minutes for the whole game plus a 10-second increment per move. The FIDE World Team Blitz Chess Championship follows on June 20 and 21, beginning with pool stages before moving to a knockout format for the top 16 teams, with a time control of 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment per move.
The total prize fund across both championships is €500,000. The Rapid Champion team will receive €110,000, with the Blitz Champion team taking home €75,000.
Inaugural FIDE World Team Amateur Rapid Chess Cup 2026
In addition to the main event, the inaugural FIDE World Amateur Team Rapid Chess Championship will take place from June 18 to 21. Specifically designed for amateur enthusiasts, this tournament provides a unique platform for diverse teams, chess clubs, and local organizations to participate in this prestigious global chess event. A total of 40 amateur teams will compete for the title. Each team is composed of six players. All participants must have never achieved a FIDE rating of 2000 or higher in standard, rapid, or blitz. The tournament will follow the Rapid format, with 15 minutes for the whole game plus a 10-second increment per move. The tournament will be conducted in two stages, culminating in a final showdown to determine the champions. The total prize fund is €25,000. The Champion team will receive €10,000.
Tournament Village Open to the Public for free
During the tournament, a dedicated Tournament Village will be open to the public for free, inviting visitors of all ages to ignite their strategic thinking. The Village is partitioned into three premier thematic zones—traditional mind sports, emerging intellectual activities, and a diverse tabletop gaming experience—to ignite the intellect of visitors across all generations. In a landmark collaboration, the event will also play host to the 2nd Asian Mind Sports Carnival, organized in conjunction with the Asian Mind Sports Association. This prestigious assembly is set to convene an illustrious field of over 1,000 elite competitors from across the continent. Participants will engage in high-level exchanges across more than ten disciplines, including Chess, Bridge, Go, Xiangqi, and the Rubik’s Cube, collectively illustrating the multifaceted allure of intellectual discipline. Get set to immerse yourself in the unique charm and intellectual thrill of mind sports this June.
Tickets Now On Sale – Enjoy Exclusive Early Bird Discount
The public can now secure their tickets via the official ticketing platform www.urbtix.hk. One day tickets range from HK$250 to HK$380. Package Deal are available: 3-day Rapid Chess package (June 17-19) HK$688; 2-day Blitz Chess package (June 20-21) HK$538; 5-day All Access package (June 17-21) HK$1,088. An early bird discount of HK$100 is available for any package purchased on or before May 17.
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