Global Chess League 2026: Live Streaming, TV Channel, Where to Watch
(Courtesy : Global Chess League)
Carlsen, Anand and the World’s Best Set to Face Off in Bengaluru
The Global Chess League 2026 will be held from September 5 to 13 in Bengaluru, with six teams competing for the title.
The event will feature 30 league-stage matches, with each team facing the other five franchises twice. The top two teams will advance to the final, while the third- and fourth-placed teams will contest the third-place playoff.
India will have a strong presence in the GCL, with several of the country’s leading players featuring across the six franchises. Viswanathan Anand, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, Anish Giri, Nihal Sarin, Harika Dronavalli, Koneru Humpy, Divya Deshmukh and Aravindh Chithambaram are among the prominent Indian names in the field.
The tournament will also feature young Indian talents Leon Luke Mendonca, Pranav Venkatesh and Bardiya Daneshvar, adding further depth to India’s representation in the competition.
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Every match consists of six boards played simultaneously, making the GCL particularly suited to live digital coverage.
Where to watch Global Chess League 2026 live?
Catch Every Update, Anytime, Anywhere
Fans can follow the latest broadcast information through the official GCL website and its social media channels. Chess.com has also been a major digital broadcaster for the competition, providing live coverage through its YouTube and Twitch channels in previous editions.
The official Tech Mahindra Global Chess League YouTube Channel remains the primary confirmed broadcaster for live matches.
Where was Global Chess League previously streamed?
The GCL has been streamed on Jio’s digital platforms in all three previous editions.
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The inaugural 2023 edition in Dubai was streamed live on JioCinema, serving as the league’s official OTT partner. JioCinema continued to stream the competition in 2024 when the league moved to London.
For the 2025 edition in Mumbai, JioStar became the official broadcast and streaming partner, with matches available live on JioHotstar. Star Sports also carried a daily highlights programme. Given Jio’s involvement in the first three editions, fans in India will be keen to know whether JioHotstar will continue as a streaming platform for the 2026 season.
Global Chess League 2026 match timings
GCL matches will be played throughout the afternoon and evening in India, with several days featuring games at 3:30 PM, 5:00 PM, 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM IST.
The league stage runs until September 12, followed by the third-place playoffs and the two-match final on September 13.
With Magnus Carlsen, Viswanathan Anand, Javokhir Sindarov and several other elite players involved, the GCL 2026 promises another exciting season of rapid team chess.
Who won the Global Chess League in its inaugural season?
Triveni Continental Kings won the inaugural edition of the Global Chess League in 2021.
Are R Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh D playing Global Chess League 2026?
No, R Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh D would not be featuring in the Global Chess League 2026 due to prior commitments.
Where in India can Global Chess League 2026 be watched?
The official Tech Mahindra Global Chess League YouTube Channel remains the primary confirmed broadcaster for live matches.
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