Archive · 28 Jan 2026
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
- When
- 2025 and 2026 Esports World Cup events
- Where
- Global, with a focus on India as a key growth region
- Why
- To engage India's massive market, grow the esport community, and reach beyond the endemic esports audience
- 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