7 months ago
Chess Secures Place in Esports World Cup
The Esports World Cup is a big event where people compete in video games.
This year, they added chess to the games, and they plan to keep it for the next event in 2026.
Even though chess didn't have as many viewers as other games, the organizers think it's important to keep it because chess has a big community online.
They also think India is a great place to grow the Esports World Cup because there are many fans there.
The Esports World Cup Foundation wants to work with the International Olympic Committee to have esports events every year, but they are doing their own thing for now.
Chess is included in the 2025 and 2026 Esports World Cup with a $75 million prize pool.
EWCF views chess as a long-term investment despite lower viewership compared to traditional esports.
India is identified as a key growth region, with Mumbai-based esports organization S8UL participating in 2025.
EWCF plans to strengthen its partnership with Chess.com for future events.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and EWCF have separate plans for esports events, but EWCF remains open to collaboration.
- Who
- Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), Chess.com, Indian esports organization S8UL, Indian player Nihal Sarin
- What
- Chess included in the 2025 and 2026 Esports World Cup, EWCF's long-term investment in chess as an esport
- Where
- Global, with a focus on India as a key growth region
- When
- 2025 and 2026 Esports World Cup events
- Why
- To engage India's massive market, grow the esport community, and reach beyond the endemic esports audience
Key facts
- Prize Pool
- $75 million
- Number of Games
- 24
- Indian Club Partner
- S8UL
- Chess Tournament Viewership
- Lower than traditional esports
- EWCF's Long-term Investment
- Yes
- Chess.com Partnership
- Strengthened
- Indian Players
- Nihal Sarin
Quotes
Mike McCabe
Deputy CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF)
“It definitely wasn’t a one-and-done. It’s something we’re continuing to invest in, working with the chess community on how we can engage more deeply.”
indianexpress.com
“It was an experiment in 2025, absolutely. Chess hasn’t historically been seen as one of the classic esports titles, but we felt strongly it was an opportunity and deserved its place. When we look at the scale of the global digital chess community and its continued growth, from our perspective, it was worth the investment. The tournament exceeded our expectations on pretty much every level.”
indianexpress.com
Fabian Scheuermann
Chief Games Officer of the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF)
“We ticked so many boxes that we’re actually doubling down. We’re not just continuing, chess is one of the games we believe helps us reach our goals, which extend beyond the endemic esports community. Almost everyone can relate to chess in some way, which is why we’re also strengthening our partnership with Chess.com, not just for this year, but for years to come.”
indianexpress.com
