Reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju and 2025 tour winner Fabiano Caruana headline the participants for the 2026 Grand Chess Tour. The full field was announced on Tuesday, with the event set to begin in early May in Poland. The tour features a $2 million prize fund and includes both classical and rapid-blitz formats.
The 2026 Grand Chess Tour, marking its 12th edition, will feature nine full-time participants competing in classical tournaments and select rapid and blitz events. Announced on Tuesday, the lineup includes world champion Gukesh Dommaraju, who will defend his title that year while staying active on the circuit. Joining him is Fabiano Caruana, the 2025 winner, along with grandmasters Vincent Keymer, Anish Giri, Alireza Firouzja, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, Wesley So, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Levon Aronian, listed in order of rating.
The tour kicks off on May 3, 2026, in Warsaw, Poland, with the Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland. Participants will play in two classical events and two of the three rapid and blitz tournaments, with wildcard entries for all events to be revealed later. Notably absent as full participants are top-rated players like Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Arjun Erigaisi, and Wei Yi. Carlsen is expected to appear as a wildcard in rapid and blitz but will miss the opening leg due to the Tepe Sigeman tournament.
The season culminates with the GCT Finals, where the top four players advance to knockout matches at the expanded Saint Louis Chess Club. Last year, Caruana claimed the trophy in São Paulo, Brazil. The $2 million prize fund, supported by the Super Foundation and the Saint Louis Chess Club, breaks down to $200,000 per rapid and blitz event, $350,000 per classical event, $450,000 for the finals, and $250,000 in bonuses.
Tour ambassador Garry Kasparov praised the lineup: "The GCT has always represented the highest level of professional chess. What distinguishes the GCT is not only the strength of the field, but the integrity, tradition and global vision behind it. This season’s lineup reflects exactly why the Tour remains the ultimate stage for elite players and fans of the game."
International arbiter Ignatius Leong serves as chief arbiter, with former U.S. champion Alex Onischuk as deputy executive director.
