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Cairo to host the FIDE World Under-7 to Under-17 Rapid and Blitz chess championships in December; federations must register by 1 November
Egypt will stage the world youth rapid and blitz championships from 8 to 15 December, with Open and Girls sections in six age groups. FIDE says national federations can enter any number of players, but registration and a 50% accommodation deposit are due by 1 November, and late entries, if accepted, pay double.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the Egyptian Chess Federation have invited every FIDE member federation to the 2026 FIDE World U7–U17 Rapid and Blitz Championships, to be held in Cairo from 8 December (arrival) to 15 December (departure), according to FIDE's announcement and the official regulations. The event is held under the patronage of Egypt's Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The format: six age categories, Under-7, Under-9, Under-11, Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17, each with separate Open and Girls sections. Eligibility is set by date of birth against 1 January 2026. Both the rapid (15 minutes plus 5 seconds a move) and the blitz (5 minutes plus 3 seconds) are 11-round Swiss events, so a child entered in both plays 22 games. Winners of the previous edition in the U9–U17 groups have a personal right to play, with free board and lodging from the organisers.
Who can enter: federations may register an unlimited number of players and accompanying officials, and FIDE-endorsed chess academies can enter players through their national federation.
The deadline and costs: registration closes on 1 November 2026, through the official form or [email protected]. The FIDE fee is EUR 70 per player (EUR 35 rapid plus EUR 35 blitz), on top of the organisers' registration and accommodation charges. The organisers' registration fee is EUR 140 per player and per accompanying official or person, covering airport transfers, accreditation and organisation costs. Everyone must stay at the official hotel, booked only through the organisers, at EUR 130 (single), EUR 95 (double) or EUR 80 (triple) per person per night, full board. Under the regulations, a 50% advance on the total accommodation cost must be paid by bank transfer by 1 November, with the balance due before round one. After the deadline, organisers may refuse late entries; if one is accepted, the registration fee is doubled.
Why it matters: a world-title youth event in an Arab capital cuts travel costs for families and clubs across North Africa and the Gulf, and lets federations send deeper squads than they would to Europe or Asia. The window of just over three weeks to 1 November is the point where parents and coaches need to talk to their federation.
Sources: FIDE announcement and championship regulations; official championship website.
Watch next: the name of the official hotel. The regulations say it is a five-star hotel in Giza facing the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, with the playing hall inside. Also watch how many Arab federations enter full squads.