Will India Host the Chess World Cup 2025?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Chess World Cup 2025 to be held in India from October 30 to November 27.
- The event will feature 206 players competing in a knockout format.
- Top three finishers will qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament.
- Details on the host city will be revealed soon.
- India's rich chess history and fan enthusiasm will enhance the event.
New Delhi, July 21 (NationPress) India is set to host the Chess World Cup, taking place from October 30 to November 27, 2025, as announced by the international governing body for the sport on Monday.
The specific host city will be revealed at a later date.
The top three players from this World Cup will gain direct entry into the 2026 Candidates Tournament, which is critical for determining the next challenger for the World Chess Championship.
"The celebrated FIDE World Cup is coming to India this year! The tournament, running from October 30 to November 27, 2025, will showcase the elite of the chess world competing for the prestigious title and qualification for the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament. More details, including the host city announcement, will follow," stated FIDE.
India has recently hosted significant chess events, such as the FIDE Chess Olympiad 2022, the Tata Steel Chess India, and the FIDE World Junior U20 Championships 2024, along with the 5th leg of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in April 2025.
The FIDE World Cup 2025 will see 206 players competing in a knockout format. This dynamic format eliminates the losing player in each round, vying for the title and qualification for the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament.
Traditionally, the tournament has employed various formats, but since 2021, it has adopted a single-elimination structure. Each round lasts three days: two classical games are played on the first two days, with tie-breaks occurring on the third day if necessary.
In the initial round, the top 50 players receive byes, while players ranked from 51 to 206 will compete, with pairings determined by matching the top half against the reversed lower half.
"We are excited to bring the FIDE World Cup 2025 to India, a nation with a profound passion for chess. The enthusiasm of Indian chess fans has always been remarkable, and we expect significant interest in the event from local chess enthusiasts, both in attendance and online. To enhance the experience, FIDE is committed to organizing numerous side events featuring tournament participants and chess legends," said FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky.