2026 World Chess Championship: Fan Events
Play a Legend: What Awaits Fans at the World Chess Championship in Geneva
A world championship match usually draws a clear line between players and spectators: two people make the decisions at the board, while everyone else follows their every move. But imagine visiting the championship and getting the chance to test yourself against a grandmaster—or hear about the battle for the title from someone who has experienced it firsthand.
That is what the side-event programme for the Salesforce FIDE World Championship Match 2026 promises. Encounters with leading players and opportunities to play against them will give visitors a chance to become part of the occasion.
A World Title—and a Celebration of Chess
The match between reigning champion Gukesh Dommaraju and challenger Javokhir Sindarov will take place from November 22 to December 12, 2026, at the Fondation Martin Bodmer in Cologny, near Geneva. The first classical game is scheduled for November 24. Salesforce is the match’s title sponsor.
Part of the appeal of attending a world championship is the atmosphere of anticipation. Before each game, spectators discuss possible openings. During play, they try to uncover the players’ plans. Afterwards, they debate the decisions that might have changed the result.
The side events add a personal dimension to that experience. Fans can make their own moves and feel that familiar tension: the pieces are ready, the clock is ticking, and a formidable opponent is waiting across the board.
Meet Anand: A Champion’s Perspective
The programme begins on November 24 with a talk by Viswanathan Anand. He will share memories and insights from his own world championship matches.
Hearing that perspective on the day the title contest begins offers a valuable way to connect with the action. The players’ decisions become even more compelling when you understand the pressure behind their outward composure.
How do you recover from a painful defeat? How do you stay confident after letting an opportunity slip? Reflecting on these questions reveals the human side of a world championship contest.
Blitz, Audience Challenges and a Tandem Simul
The announced programme includes several opportunities to face well-known players at the board:
On the day of Game 1, Alexandra Kosteniuk will host a chess challenge for the audience.
On the day of Game 3, Yannick Pelletier will play blitz against fans.
On the day of Game 4, Anna Muzychuk and Anish Giri will give a tandem simultaneous exhibition.
Muzychuk and Giri will also take part in other activities during the championship.
Each format has its own appeal. Blitz demands quick decisions and trust in your intuition. A simultaneous exhibition lets you test your preparation against a grandmaster’s understanding of the position.
The result, however, is only part of the experience. Sometimes the most memorable moment comes when a leading player pauses at your board, studies the position carefully and makes a move you never considered.
The Fan Zone: Sharing Every Twist and Turn
A dedicated fan zone will offer live coverage of the match with commentary. On selected days, the programme also includes tournaments, workshops, simultaneous exhibitions and meetings with grandmasters. The Fan Zone Pass does not include access to the playing hall or the VIP area. Salesforce FIDE World Championship
It is a place to share the excitement with fellow fans. Why is the challenger taking so long to think? Can that sacrifice be accepted? Is a quiet move really more dangerous than a direct attack? Here, those questions can spark a conversation.
Experienced club players can compare their calculations with the commentary. Beginners can hear an unfamiliar plan explained. For a child, meeting a famous player could be the spark that sends them back to their chess lessons with renewed enthusiasm.
How to Take Part
FIDE advises visitors to check the programme in advance, as many activities require preregistration. More events will be added to the calendar, so it is worth checking the latest details before attending. Information and registration are available on the official events page.
When planning your visit, start by choosing the talk or playing activity that interests you, then check how it fits around the match schedule. Confirm the starting time, participation requirements and ticket needed for each event. This is especially useful if playing a grandmaster is one of the main reasons for your trip.
A Memory That Lasts Beyond the Final Move
When the championship ends, there will be games to revisit, analysis to study and a winner to celebrate. But spectators may also leave with a story of their own: a tense blitz game, a meeting with a favourite player or a conversation that changes how they see chess.
These are the moments that bring top-level chess closer to its fans. Two players will compete for the world crown—and everyone who visits will have the chance to take some inspiration home.