A spring program for titled players from Lichess

Lichess has announced its new Titled Arena schedule covering the April-June 2026 period. As one of the most closely followed online event series for titled players, the competition will continue to bring together grandmasters and other verified title holders in a fast-paced setting. Before each main event, there will be a warm-up arena open to anyone who has played the required number of rated games in the relevant time control. According to Lichess, that threshold is at least 20 rated games for most time controls, while the minimum for the 960 warm-up arena is 10 games.

For players who are new to the platform, one of the key points is that the arena system works differently from traditional Swiss tournaments or league formats. Arena points are awarded mainly based on the number of games won, which means that putting together consistent winning streaks is especially important. If players finish tied on points, the standings are decided by tournament performance. In other words, it is not only important to play many games, but also to score well against strong opposition. Lichess specifically recommends that first-time participants read the FAQ and, if possible, try an arena event in advance to become familiar with the format.

To participate in Titled Arena events, players must have a verified titled account on Lichess. Those who do not yet have an account must first create one on the platform, then submit the relevant verification form to confirm their FIDE title or eligible national title. Users who have already completed title verification do not need to repeat the process. Once verification is approved, players can join the tournaments directly. Lichess also stated that prizes will be paid within a week after each event via PayPal, an important detail that helps keep the process efficient while maintaining the professional structure of the series.

Another notable aspect of the series is its streaming culture. Previous Titled Arenas have been broadcast by well-known names such as Magnus Carlsen, Alexander Grischuk, John Bartholomew, Eric Rosen, and ChessNetwork. Lichess encourages both participants and fans to livestream the events, and it also provides useful broadcast graphics along with frequently asked questions about fair-play considerations while streaming. At the same time, the fact that Lichess operates as a charity and remains entirely free and open-source, funded solely by user donations, gives these tournaments an added community dimension. In short, the newly announced schedule signals a busy spring not only for titled players, but for everyone who follows elite online chess.