NEW DELHI: Already an icon in the world of football, Erling Haaland is stepping into the world of chess, not as a player but as an investor. He has backed Norway Chess and its newly launched Total Chess World Championship Tour, aiming to help grow the sport globally. Along with businessman Morten Borge, he has co-founded a company called Chess Mates, which now owns a significant stake in Norway Chess. The new tour, approved by FIDE for at least 16 years, plans to host four tournaments every year in different cities.
Players will compete across formats like classical, rapid, and blitz to crown an overall world champion. A trial event is scheduled for late 2026, with the full season starting in 2027 and offering a prize pool of at least $2.7 million annually.Haaland explained his interest, saying, “Chess is an incredible game. It sharpens your mind, and there are clear similarities to football. You have to think quickly, trust your instincts, and think several moves ahead. Strategy and planning are everything”.
Why Haaland is investing
Haaland believes the new tour can make chess more exciting for fans worldwide. He said, “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 team behind Norway Chess has already done an impressive job growing the event, and joining the project was too exciting to pass up.”Officials are also optimistic about the move. Norway Chess CEO Kjell Madland said, “We expect the new championship to become one of the most prestigious events in the global chess calendar. The fact that Erling is joining us as an investor says a great deal about the commercial potential of this tour.”
