Istanbul, Türkiye, will welcome the world’s elite chess players this December as the host city of the 2026 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships, one of the most anticipated events on the international chess calendar.
Freedom Holding Corp., FIDE’s strategic partner since 2023, has become the title sponsor of the event. As part of the 2026 cooperation agreement, Freedom supports not only major FIDE events like Candidates and World Championship match, but also chess training centres, school programmes, and talent scouting initiatives worldwide.
The championships, traditionally held during the final week of the year from 25 (arrivals) to 30 December, will bring together hundreds of players from across the globe to compete for four world titles in the Open and Women’s Rapid and Blitz events.
The return of a major FIDE world championship to Türkiye highlights the country’s longstanding commitment to the development of chess. Over the past two decades, Türkiye has established itself as one of the most active chess nations in the world, combining a strong tradition of event organisation with ambitious grassroots programmes.
Through extensive cooperation between the Turkish Chess Federation and educational institutions, chess has become a familiar presence in schools across the country. Today, Türkiye boasts one of the strongest emerging generations in chess, with young stars such as Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş or Ediz Gürel leading the way.
In 2012, the city hosted the 40th Chess Olympiad, the biggest chess event in the calendar. Just recently, at the end of 2025, it successfully staged FIDE World Youth Blitz and Rapid Chess Championships.
Beyond its chess credentials, Istanbul offers an ideal setting for a world championship. The city serves as one of the world’s leading transport hubs, connecting Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas through extensive flight networks. Its unique blend of history and modern infrastructure makes it a great meeting point for the global chess community.
FIDE President Timur Turlov:
“We are delighted to bring the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships to Istanbul. Türkiye has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to organise world-class chess events while making an outstanding contribution to the growth of our game at every level. I would like to thank the Turkish Chess Federation and its partners for their commitment and cooperation. We look forward to celebrating the end of the chess year together in one of the world’s most dynamic and welcoming cities.”
The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships are among the most prestigious annual events in chess, regularly attracting top grandmasters and rising stars in a battle for some of the most coveted titles. The defending champions are world’s number one rated player Magnus Carlsen, who won both rapid and blitz titles in 2025, Aleksandra Goryachkina (rapid, women) and Bibisara Assaubayeva (blitz, women).
Additional information, including the official venue, tournament regulations, and registration details, will be published shortly.