Discover the key chess tournaments taking place across the UK in 2026. From national FIDE-rated events to school-level championships and junior pathways, here’s a complete list of important UK tournaments your child can participate in this year.
Upcoming Chess Tournaments in the UK 2026 Complete Calendar
| Tournament Name | Expected Date | Location | Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hastings International Chess Congress | 28 Dec 2025 – 6 Jan 2026 | Hastings | https://hastingschess.com |
| 4NCL Congress – January Edition | Jan 2026 | MK / Warwick | https://www.4ncl.co.uk |
| Bristol Winter Congress | Jan 2026 | Bristol | https://www.bristolcongress.co.uk |
| London Junior Chess Championships Finals | Jan 2026 | London | https://www.ljcc.co.uk |
| Hampshire Congress | Feb 2026 | Hampshire | https://www.hampshirechess.co.uk |
| Yorkshire Rapidplay | Feb 2026 | Yorkshire | https://www.yorkshirechess.org |
| Cambridgeshire Rapid & Blitz Championship | Feb 2026 | Cambs | https://www.cambschess.org.uk |
| Blackpool Chess Conference | March 2026 | Blackpool | https://www.blackpoolchess.org.uk |
| Birmingham Rapidplay | March 2026 | Birmingham | https://www.birminghamchess.org.uk |
| Manchester Chess Congress | March 2026 | Manchester | https://www.manchesterchess.co.uk |
| 4NCL League Weekend – March | March 2026 | Various | https://www.4ncl.co.uk |
| Southend Easter Congress | April 2026 | Southend | https://www.southendchesscongress.org.uk |
| Bristol Spring Congress | April 2026 | Bristol | https://www.bristolcongress.co.uk |
| Bolton Easter Congress | April 2026 | Bolton | https://www.boltonchess.com |
| Edinburgh Chess Congress | April 2026 | Edinburgh | https://www.edinburghchesscongress.org.uk |
| London Open Championship | May 2026 | London | https://www.ecf.org.uk |
| Essex Open Championship | May 2026 | Essex | https://www.essexchess.org.uk |
| National Primary Schools Chess Championship | May 2026 | UK | https://www.sccu-chess.com |
| UK Chess Challenge – Megafinals | May 2026 | UK-wide | https://www.ukchesschallenge.com |
| Sussex Chess Championship | June 2026 | Sussex | https://www.sussexchess.org.uk |
| 4NCL Congress – Summer Edition | June 2026 | TBA | https://www.4ncl.co.uk |
| National Secondary Schools Championship | June 2026 | UK | https://www.sccu-chess.com |
| UK Chess Challenge – Gigafinals | July 2026 | UK-wide | https://www.ukchesschallenge.com |
| Harrogate Chess Congress | July 2026 | Harrogate | https://www.harrogatechesscongress.co.uk |
| English Chess Championships | July 2026 | England | https://www.englishchess.org.uk |
| British Blitz Championships | July 2026 | England | https://www.englishchess.org.uk |
| British Chess Championships | Aug 2026 | Various | https://www.britishchesschampionships.co.uk |
| Northumbria Masters | Aug 2026 | Newcastle | https://www.northumbriamasters.com |
| British Junior Chess Championships | Aug 2026 | Various | https://www.britishchesschampionships.co.uk |
| Sheffield Chess Congress | Aug 2026 | Sheffield | https://www.sccu-chess.com |
| British Rapidplay Championships | Sept 2026 | UK | https://www.british-rapidplay.uk |
| British Junior Rapid & Blitz | Sept 2026 | UK | https://www.englishchess.org.uk |
| Oxfordshire Chess Congress | Sept 2026 | Oxford | https://www.oxfordfusion.org.uk |
| 4NCL League Weekend – Season Opener | Sept 2026 | UK | https://www.4ncl.co.uk |
| Scarborough Chess Congress | Oct 2026 | Scarborough | https://www.scarboroughchesscongress.co.uk |
| National Youth Chess Championships | Oct 2026 | UK | https://www.englishchess.org.uk |
| Bristol Autumn Congress | Oct 2026 | Bristol | https://www.bristolcongress.co.uk |
| Coventry Chess Congress | Nov 2026 | Coventry | https://coventrychessclub.weebly.com |
| Kent Chess Congress | Nov 2026 | Kent | https://www.kentchess.com |
| London Chess Classic | Dec 2026 | London | https://www.londonchessclassic.com |
