European Chess Club Cup 2026

The 41st edition of the European Chess Club Cup (Open section) and the 30th European Chess Club Cup for Women are scheduled to be held in Herceg Novi, Montenegro. The prestigious events will take place at Hotel “Medun” 4+* from October 16th to October 24th, 2026.

Participation Guidelines

The tournament welcomes a significant number of clubs from across Europe:

• Open Section: Federations that organize a national team chess championship are permitted to enter up to five clubs. Federations without a national championship can enter four clubs. National Federations have full autonomy in selecting their participating clubs, and any additional requests for participation will be considered by the ECU Board.
• Women's Section: There are no restrictions on participation, making the event open to all clubs that are members of ECU Federations.
• Clubs should register for the event through their respective National Chess Federations. Direct registration is also an option, provided there is no objection from the National Chess Federation concerned.

Team Composition and Player Eligibility

• Open Teams: Each team must comprise six main players and two reserve players. All participants must be bona fide members of the club and have been eligible to represent that club in their national team championship within the year preceding the European Club Cup. Foreign players – defined as those belonging to another FIDE federation or permanently residing outside the federation where the national championship was held – must have played a minimum of two games in that national championship. National players who competed for a different club in the most recent national team championship will incur specific fees. Clubs wishing to include a player (national or foreign) who does not fully meet the standard eligibility requirements (as per Article 3.1, F.1.2. of ECU rules) may do so by paying a reduced player’s license fee to the ECU, in accordance with the event’s regulations.
• Women's Teams: Teams will consist of four players plus one reserve player. There are no restrictions regarding the composition of women's teams, and all female player license fees for the year 2026 are waived.

Prize Fund and Qualification

The championship boasts a substantial total prize fund of 40,000 EUR. The Open section will distribute 26,000 EUR in prizes, while the Women's event offers a prize pool of 14,000 EUR. Trophies and medals will be awarded to the top three teams in each category, and individual prizes will be given to the best players on each board.

A key incentive for the European Open Chess Club Cup 2026 is the opportunity to qualify for the new ECU event, the European Chess Super League 2027, scheduled for February 2nd-10th, 2027. The top four finishing teams from the Open section, along with the highest-rated team that does not finish in the top four, will earn a coveted spot in this prestigious Super League.