Erling Haaland is making moves beyond football, investing in a new global chess competition designed to elevate the sport’s international profile.
The Manchester City striker has co-founded the company Chess Mate, which has acquired a significant stake in Norway Chess—the entity behind the newly launched Total Chess World Championship Tour.
A $2.7 Million Vision for Chess
The new competition will feature four tournaments annually, with a total prize pool of $2.7 million. Approved by FIDE, the tour will include multiple formats—Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz—to crown a combined world champion, aiming to identify the most complete player in the game.
A pilot event is scheduled for late 2026, with the full championship circuit set to launch in 2027.
Haaland: “Chess and Football Are Similarâ€
Haaland highlighted the tactical parallels between football and chess as a key motivation behind his investment:
“Chess sharpens the brain. You have to think quickly, trust your instincts, and plan many moves ahead—just like in football.â€
His involvement reflects a broader ambition to transform chess into a more engaging global spectator sport.
Football and Chess: A Growing Connection
Haaland’s move is part of a wider trend linking football and chess. World number one Magnus Carlsen has previously expressed admiration for the striker, while figures like Pep Guardiola and Mohamed Salah have also spoken about their interest in the game.
The crossover highlights shared themes of strategy, spatial awareness, and decision-making—qualities central to both disciplines.
A Strategic Bet on Chess Growth
With backing from high-profile athletes and institutional support from FIDE, the Total Chess World Championship Tour represents a significant in the commercialization and global expansion of chess.
Haaland’s investment signals growing confidence in chess as both a cultural product and a scalable sports entertainment property—one that could attract new audiences far beyond its traditional base.