An important travel initiative from FIDE for the 2026 events
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has announced its travel support framework for national federations attending the Chess Olympiad and the FIDE Congress in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2026. According to the statement, the main objective is to make participation easier for federations with lower development capacity. Through this support model, FIDE aims both to increase attendance in the main Olympiad event and to strengthen fairness of representation at the Congress.
Under the Olympiad main competition scheme, federations classified at development levels 3, 4 and 5 will be eligible for travel subsidies. While the exact support limits vary by continent, the summary text indicates that African federations may receive contributions of up to 1,200 euros per person. FIDE also underlines that all invited teams are eligible for travel assistance. Each team may consist of up to 8 persons: 4 players, 1 reserve player, 1 captain and up to 2 accompanying persons. The per-person ceiling will follow the same continental limits defined for the Olympiad main competition.
A similar model will apply to delegates attending the FIDE Congress. Eligible federation representatives will receive travel subsidies according to the same principles set out in the opening paragraphs of the Olympiad main competition section. This approach may help not only players, but also federation officials involved in decision-making, to gain stronger access to international forums. For countries with limited budgets in particular, this type of support is highly significant for ensuring sustainable participation in global chess governance.
Samarkand has already built a reputation in recent years as a capable host of major chess events. The travel incentives announced by FIDE could help make the 2026 Olympiad and Congress more inclusive. In the chess world, the Olympiad is not merely an arena for team competition; it is also a key meeting point where cooperation between federations, governance debates and new projects take shape. For that reason, travel subsidies can be viewed as a strategic step not only for sporting competition, but also for institutional representation.