The International Chess Federation has officially opened the bidding process for one of the most anticipated events on the chess calendar – the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament and the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, two prestigious events scheduled to begin between 25 March and 5 April 2026.
As the final step in the qualification for the World Championship Match, the Candidates is the gateway to challenging for the ultimate title in chess. It is one of the most-watched events in the sport, bringing together the world’s best players in an intense battle of skill, preparation, and endurance.
Key facts and requirements:
- 8 participants in each tournament
- Duration: up to 22 days
- Minimum prize funds:
- Open Candidates – €700,000 (up from €500,000 in 2024)
- Women’s Candidates – €300,000 (up from €250,000 in 2024)
- Minimum combined prize fund: €1,000,000
- All organisers must respect FIDE sponsor and partner rights, including video and game broadcast
Bids are open to any FIDE member federation or organiser approved by their national federation. The bid submission period runs from August 12 to October 15, 2025 (23:59 Lausanne time), with all documents submitted in English to office@fide.com. The FIDE General Strategy Commission will evaluate all applications, and the FIDE Council will approve the final host city.
Full bidding regulations for both events can be found in the official documents:
Regulations for the FIDE Candidates 2026
Regulations for the FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026