Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has invested in a new global chess tour aimed at expanding the sport’s international appeal and commercial reach.
The Norwegian is backing the Norway Chess organisation, which is set to launch the Total Chess World Championship Tour next year.
The tour will feature four tournaments held annually in different cities around the world, with an overall champion determined across three formats—classical, rapid, and blitz chess.
As reported by BBC Sport on Thursday, the initiative is supported by the International Chess Federation, which described it as one of the most significant developments in modern chess. A pilot tournament is scheduled for this autumn ahead of the full rollout.
Organisers said each season will have a minimum prize pool of $2.7 million (£2 million), underscoring the scale of the project and its ambition to attract top players and global audiences.
Speaking on the investment, Haaland described chess as “an incredible game,” noting similarities with football in terms of strategy, quick thinking, and decision-making.
“I’m investing in Norway Chess because I believe the new Total Chess World Championship Tour can turn chess into an even bigger sport for spectators around the world,” he said.
The development further strengthens Norway’s presence in global chess, with world number one Magnus Carlsen having dominated multiple formats of the game in recent years.
The new tour is expected to boost the visibility of chess worldwide by combining elite competition with increased financial backing and structured global events.+
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