Chess.com has announced an expanded qualification system for the 2026 Esports World Cup (EWC), where it will be featured again following on a reported successful debut in 2025.
The new Champions Chess Tour (CCT) unites Titled Tuesday, the Speed Chess Championship (SCC), and the returning Chess.com Global Championship (CGC) under a single, year-round competitive pathway with solid prize pools.
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Titled Tuesday will award points based on players’ best eight performances across three Grand Prix “Splits”, starting 2 September. The $250,000 SCC runs from October 2025 to February 2026, concluding with a live final, while CGC qualifiers begin in March, with playoffs in May and a $250,000 prize fund.
Top three finishers in both SCC and CGC will automatically qualify for the EWC, with remaining spots determined via the overall CCT leaderboard. Repeat qualifiers will not take additional slots. Further details on remaining qualification spots will be announced at a later date.
Danny Rensch, Chess.com Chief Chess Officer, said: “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.”
Defending champion Magnus Carlsen, who defeated GM Alireza Firouzja in the 2025 final in Riyadh, confirmed his participation: “This new qualification cycle means more events and more chances for the world’s best players to meet me back in Riyadh.”
Chess.com will also broadcast its next State of Chess show on 2 September, following the Titled Tuesday kickoff. The show will provide updates on the EWC cycle, partnerships, and a fan Q&A. It will stream on Chess.com’s Twitch and YouTube channels at 18:30 CEST.
