FIDE announces Gukesh Dommaraju vs Javokhir Sindarov world title match
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) opened ticket sales on October 14 for the 2026 World Chess Championship, where Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov will challenge reigning champion Gukesh Dommaraju of India.
The championship will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from November 22 to December 12, with the opening game scheduled for November 24.
Both grandmasters will be 20 years old when the competition begins, making it the youngest world championship match in chess history.
Gukesh will defend the title he won in Singapore in 2024, when he became the youngest undisputed world chess champion at 18. Sindarov earned his opportunity to challenge him by winning the 2026 Candidates Tournament.
Tickets, venue and championship format
The matches will take place at the Fondation Martin Bodmer in Cologny, near Geneva.
FIDE has introduced two ticket categories:
- VIP Day Pass: Includes one hour of access to the playing hall, a view of the match from a balcony, VIP lounge access and live commentary from grandmasters Peter Svidler and Peter Leko.
- Fan Zone Pass: Provides access to live broadcasts, chess tournaments, simultaneous exhibitions, masterclasses and opportunities to meet grandmasters on selected days.
Tickets are available through the official FIDE ticketing website. FIDE says quantities are limited, with tickets released in stages and prices subject to change.
The championship will feature up to 14 classical games. The first player to reach 7.5 points will win the title. If the match ends 7–7, a series of tiebreak games will determine the champion.
The final classical game is scheduled for December 11, with potential tiebreaks on December 12.
The championship will also mark the first World Chess Championship match held in Switzerland since 2004.
