Geneva, Switzerland, will host the 2026 FIDE World Championship match between Indian champion Gukesh Dommaraju and Uzbek challenger Javokhir Sindarov. The 14-game contest is set to run from November 25 to December 15. FIDE selected the neutral venue after receiving bids from India, the United States, and Cyprus.
FIDE Interim President Viswanathan Anand noted that strong bids came from several countries but the event would take place on neutral soil. He described Geneva as a city with a historic tradition of bringing nations and cultures together. The International Chess Federation is based in Switzerland.
This marks the first world championship match in Switzerland since Vladimir Kramnik defeated Peter Leko in Brissago in 2004. Swiss Chess Federation President Andre Voegtlin called the announcement a defining moment for chess in the country and expressed hope that it would boost the game's popularity.
Gukesh won the title by defeating Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 in Singapore in 2024. Sindarov qualified by winning the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament. Both players will be 20 years old during the match, making it the youngest world championship in history. No details have been released yet on the prize fund or exact venue.