Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has invested in a new worldwide chess competition, the Total Chess World Championship Tour.
The tour, organised by Norway Chess and supported by FIDE, will launch in 2027 with four annual tournaments across major cities.
Champions will be crowned in fast classic, rapid, and blitz formats, with a minimum prize pool of $2.7m (£2m). A pilot event is planned for autumn 2026.
Haaland said chess “sharpens your mind” and compared its strategy to football: “You have to think quickly, trust your instincts and plan ahead.” He believes the tour can make chess “an even bigger sport for spectators around the world.”
The move adds to Norway’s strong chess tradition, led by grandmaster Magnus Carlsen.
