Haaland Invests in New Global Chess Tour

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has invested in Norway Chess, the organization launching a new global tour aimed at boosting the sport's popularity among spectators. The 25-year-old Norwegian forward, known for his prolific scoring in the Premier League, partnered with Norwegian businessman Morten Borge to form Chess Mates, a company that will hold a significant stake in the venture.

The Total Chess World Championship Tour is set to begin with a pilot tournament in autumn 2026, followed by a full season in 2027. It will consist of four annual events hosted in different cities, where top players will compete across three disciplines: Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz chess. A unified world champion will be crowned each year, with the initiative approved by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) for at least 16 years. Each season will feature a minimum prize pool of $2.7 million.

Haaland, who wore a Norway Chess cap upon arriving at London's London Stadium for Manchester City's recent match against West Ham United, described his enthusiasm for the game. "Chess is an incredible game," he said. "It sharpens your mind, and there are clear similarities to football. You have to...