FIDE issues media call for Hong Kong 2026
FIDE has officially opened the media accreditation process for the 2026 World Rapid and Blitz Team Chess Championships. Scheduled for June 16-20, 2026 in Hong Kong, China, the event is shaping up to be one of the most compelling fixtures in modern team chess. Members of the written press, photojournalists, online media outlets, as well as writers and photographers working for publications of FIDE national federations, may apply through the official accreditation form.
Launched by FIDE in 2023, this tournament stands out from traditional team competitions thanks to its distinctive structure. Elite grandmasters, strong professionals, and amateur players can all appear in the same team lineup, while men and women compete together in a shared sporting setting. Because rapid and blitz chess are naturally faster and more dramatic, the matches tend to be highly engaging and spectator-friendly. As a result, the event has quickly become attractive not only for players, but also for audiences, broadcasters, and media organizations.
The World Rapid Team Championship will be played from June 17-19 as a 12-round Swiss tournament over three days, with four rounds scheduled each day. The time control will be 15 minutes for the entire game plus a 10-second increment per move. It will be followed by the World Blitz Team Championship on June 20 and 21, beginning with pool stages before moving into a knockout bracket for the top 16 teams. The blitz section will use a time control of 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment per move. This format not only increases competitive tension, but also creates a fast-paced schedule well suited to live coverage and digital broadcasting.
In recent years, the championship has become one of the global showcases of the chess calendar. The presence and interest of stars such as Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Alireza Firouzja, and Hou Yifan have further elevated its sporting prestige. FIDE’s fresh approach to team chess is helping the game reach wider audiences while also generating strong media narratives: world-class stars, rising talents, and amateur players fighting side by side is what most clearly sets this event apart from traditional individual tournaments. Media representatives wishing to cover the competition on site can complete their accreditation through the official media registration form, while detailed scheduling and updates are available on the tournament’s official website.