Istanbul will host the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2026 from December 25 to 30. The tournament will feature the Open and Women's Rapid and Blitz events.
Freedom Holding Corp. will be the title sponsor of the championships. The company has been a strategic partner of FIDE since 2023.
Istanbul has previously hosted several major chess events, including the 40th Chess Olympiad in 2012 and the FIDE World Youth Rapid and Blitz Championships in 2025.
We are delighted to bring the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships to Istanbul. Türkiye has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to organise world-class chess events while making an outstanding contribution to the growth of our game at every level. I would like to thank the Turkish Chess Federation and its partners for their commitment and cooperation. We look forward to celebrating the end of the chess year together in one of the world’s most dynamic and welcoming cities.
- Timur Turlov, FIDE President
Last year, Magnus Carlsen won both the Open Rapid and Blitz titles. Aleksandra Goryachkina won the Women's Rapid title, while Bibisara Assaubayeva claimed the Women's Blitz title.
Further details about the playing venue, tournament regulations and schedule are expected to be announced by FIDE.
