Select Year
2026
Magnus Carlsen
VOD
Results
Standings
| rank | Club | Prize Pool | CC Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1st |  Magnus Carlsen | $250,000 | +1,000 |
2nd |  Denis Lazavik | $190,000 | +750 |
3rd |  Hikaru Nakamura | $145,000 | +500 |
4th | Alireza Firouzja | $100,000 | +300 |
5th |  Nihal Sarin  Hans Niemann  Nodirbek Abdusattorov  Arjun Erigaisi | $72,500 | +200 |
9th |  Jan-Krzysztof Duda  Ian Nepomniachtchi  Sina Movahed Pranesh Munirethinam | $52,500 | - |
13th |  Aleksej Sarana  Andrey Esipenko  Benjamin Bok  Wei Yi | $40,000 | - |
17th |  Vladislav Artemiev | $32,000 | - |
18th |  Parham Maghsoodloo | $27,000 | - |
19th | Alexander Grischuk Oleksandr Bortnyk | $25,000 | - |
21st | Aravindh Chithambaram  Liem Le | $23,000 | - |
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
100%
22/22 Slots Claimed
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
May 18th - Jul 5th
Global
1 Player Qualifies
India Rising
completed
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
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.
News
2026
Four Must-Watch Players in Week 7 of EWC 26
Every player arrives at the Esports World Cup with a chance to define their tournament. With the Club Championship and four titles still to be decided, Week 7 represents the final opportunity to make a mark on one of esports’ biggest stages. Here are four players to watch in the final week of EWC 26.
2026
EWC 26 Fan Fest Week 6 Recap
Week 6 marked the penultimate week of the Esports World Cup 2026, bringing the event one step closer to its conclusion. Even as the competition intensified, Fan Fest remained a central hub for creators, developers, esports clubs and fans, continuing to deliver experiences beyond the tournaments themselves.
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Fortnite Reload Elite Series at EWC 26 Survival Guide
The final week of the Esports World Cup 2026 brings one of the world’s biggest shooters to center stage as the Fortnite Reload Elite Series 2026 Championship kicks off, setting the stage for a high-octane battle to crown its inaugural champion.
2026
Top Fan Fest Highlights of EWC 26 Week 7
The final week of the 2026 Esports World Cup is here, and Fan Fest is going out with a bang. The final stretch brings another wave of activations, interactive experiences and community events, giving fans plenty of ways to jump into the action. From gaming challenges and meet-and-greets with world-class esports talent to physical activities, Fan Fest remains the ultimate playground for EWC fans on-site.