Erling Haaland has taken on a new role away from the soccer pitch by becoming an investor in a new chess world championship, which is expected to launch next year. The Manchester City and Norway forward is known primarily for his goal-scoring exploits, but this move signals an interest in supporting competitive activities beyond soccer. While detailed terms of his investment have not been disclosed, his backing connects one of the sport’s most prominent modern strikers with a major event in the world of chess.
The planned championship aims to establish itself as a significant event on the global chess calendar. It is set to offer a total prize fund of $2.7 million, placing it among the more lucrative tournaments in the history of the game. Organizers are positioning the event as a showcase for top-level chess, with the prize pool designed to attract elite grandmasters as well as heightened international attention.
Haaland’s involvement is part of a broader trend of high-profile athletes investing in competitions and ventures that extend beyond their primary sport. By associating his name and resources with a major chess initiative, he adds visibility to a discipline that, while globally popular and long-established, continues to compete for media space and sponsorship in a crowded sports and entertainment landscape.
The tournament is expected to be structured as a world championship, though specific details on the format, qualification path, and schedule have not yet been publicly outlined. Information on the host city or venues has also not been confirmed. Nonetheless, the scale of the announced prize fund underlines the ambition behind the project.
Haaland’s decision to invest arrives as his soccer career remains at an elite level, making his participation notable both from a sporting and commercial perspective. His backing may help the event reach new audiences, including soccer fans who might not typically follow professional chess. Further announcements from organizers are anticipated as the tournament’s launch next year draws closer, when more concrete information about participants, locations, and broadcast plans is expected to be released.
