Select Year
2025
Magnus Carlsen wins $250,000
VODs
Results
Standings
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Participating Players
Esports organizations rushed to sign Grand Masters worldwide to bring them to the largest stage chess has ever seen.
Chess LCQ Important Information!
Top 4 players qualify for EWC. While there's no prize money for reaching top 4, each player is guaranteed $50,000 from the EWC prize pool.
Priority Registration will be offered to:
- 50 Top Players
- 25 Top Women
- Titled Players
After completing the LCQ signup process, players will receive a tentative confirmation email if they meet the registration requirements and slots are available. Once the tentative confirmation is sent, players will have one week to purchase and submit their own travel accommodations to confirm their attendance and finalize their registration.
Rules
Chess follows a strict set of rules — but all rules can be mastered.
About
The Characters: Grand Masters earn the title for life after years of dedication to the game of chess. To earn this title, the pros must outplay opponents, thinking multiple steps ahead and switching strategies on the spot as the game unfolds. What started as a traditional game of wits has become a certified esport as the scene progressed in 2020, bringing the sweat, tears, and drama to streams all over the world.
The Plot: Each opponent starts with the same pieces on their side of the chessboard, all with their own set of moves and one goal—protect the King.
Players take turns moving their pieces on the board to corner the opponent’s King without any other pieces getting in the way. It’s a game of cat and mouse that takes immense brainpower, focus, and strategy, which is why Grand Masters are so highly regarded and feared.
Why: Chess at EWC 2025 is the biggest chess tournament yet, and the massive prize pool has driven the best-of-the-best to sign with esports organizations and prepare for a huge mental game like no other. Watch the Grand Masters at work, and be prepared for intensity and rivalry like no other esport.
News
2026
Four Must-Watch Players in Week 7 of EWC 26
Every player arrives at the Esports World Cup with a chance to define their tournament. With the Club Championship and four titles still to be decided, Week 7 represents the final opportunity to make a mark on one of esports’ biggest stages. Here are four players to watch in the final week of EWC 26.
2026
EWC 26 Fan Fest Week 6 Recap
Week 6 marked the penultimate week of the Esports World Cup 2026, bringing the event one step closer to its conclusion. Even as the competition intensified, Fan Fest remained a central hub for creators, developers, esports clubs and fans, continuing to deliver experiences beyond the tournaments themselves.
2026
Fortnite Reload Elite Series at EWC 26 Survival Guide
The final week of the Esports World Cup 2026 brings one of the world’s biggest shooters to center stage as the Fortnite Reload Elite Series 2026 Championship kicks off, setting the stage for a high-octane battle to crown its inaugural champion.
2026
Top Fan Fest Highlights of EWC 26 Week 7
The final week of the 2026 Esports World Cup is here, and Fan Fest is going out with a bang. The final stretch brings another wave of activations, interactive experiences and community events, giving fans plenty of ways to jump into the action. From gaming challenges and meet-and-greets with world-class esports talent to physical activities, Fan Fest remains the ultimate playground for EWC fans on-site.