Haaland invests in global chess tour, says game â??sharpens your mindâ?

2026-03-20 - 00:13

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has been unveiled as an investor in a new global chess tour, backing the Norway Chess organisation ahead of the launch of the Total Chess World Championship Tour. The initiative, supported by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), will feature four tournaments annually across different cities, with a world champion decided across fast classic, rapid and blitz formats. A pilot event is scheduled for later this year, with each season offering a minimum prize pool of $2.7 million. FIDE has described the project as “one of the most significant developments in modern chess.” Haaland, speaking about his involvement, highlighted his passion for the game and its similarities to football. “Chess is an incredible game,” he said. “It sharpens your mind. You have to think quickly, trust your instincts and think several moves ahead. Strategy and planning are everything.” The Norway international added that his investment is driven by a belief in the sport’s global potential. “I’m investing in Norway Chess because I believe the new Total Chess World Championship Tour can turn chess into an even bigger sport for spectators around the world.” The tour is expected to further elevate chess’s global profile, with Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen already among the sport’s leading figures. Send your news stories to [email protected] and via WhatsApp on +233 546310076.