The record-breaker of goals is now making headlines beyond football. Erling Haaland has become a major investor in the new Total Chess World Championship Tour, a global chess series expected to feature fellow Norwegian Magnus Carlsen.
The project is backed by FIDE, the world chess governing body, and aims to make chess more exciting and spectator friendly.
Haaland has joined hands with Norwegian businessman Morten Borge to form Chess Mates, a company that will hold a significant stake in Norway Chess, the organization behind the new tour. While the exact size of Haaland’s investment has not been revealed, reports describe it as substantial.
The new championship will feature four tournaments each year across three formats fast classic, rapid, and blitz with players competing for a combined world title. The annual prize pool is set at $2.7 million, with a pilot event planned for autumn 2026 and the full championship season beginning in 2027.
Speaking about the move, Haaland said chess sharpens the mind and has clear similarities to football, especially when it comes to quick thinking, instinct, and planning ahead. His entry into chess marks a surprising but smart step, showing that one of football’s biggest stars now wants to help grow the game of chess on a global stage.
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