2026 American Cup: Elite Chess Returns to Saint Louis

About the 2026 American Cup

The 2026 American Cup chess tournament returns to the Saint Louis Chess Club from March 2–13, bringing together the strongest chess players in the United States for a high-stakes double-elimination tournament with $400,000 in total prize money.

The Open division is led by World No. 3 Fabiano Caruana, a 2026 Candidates Qualifier, joined by GMs Wesley So, Leinier Dominguez, Levon Aronian, Awonder Liang, Sam Sevian, Ray Robson, and Abhimanyu Mishra. The Women’s division features IM Carissa Yip — on track to become only the second woman in U.S. history to earn the grandmaster title — alongside GM Irina Krush, IM Alice Lee, and five more of the country’s top competitors.

Played across classical and rapid time controls, the double-elimination format demands resilience and creativity at every stage, from opening round through the finals. Every match matters, and a single loss doesn’t mean elimination — making for some of the most dramatic chess played anywhere in the world.

All rounds will be streamed live with expert commentary beginning March 3, and spectator tickets are available for fans who want to experience the action in person at the newly renovated Saint Louis Chess Club.

Open Division Field

Women’s Division Field

Tournament Format

The 2026 American Cup chess tournament uses a double-elimination format across both the Open and Women’s divisions. Players compete in classical and rapid time controls, with every match carrying high stakes. A single loss moves a player to the elimination bracket rather than ending their tournament, creating dramatic comeback opportunities and ensuring that the eventual champion has truly proven themselves across multiple rounds.

How to Watch the 2026 American Cup

Live Stream

Beginning March 3, all rounds of the 2026 American Cup will be streamed live with expert commentary from an accomplished broadcast team including GM Yasser Seirawan, GM Maurice Ashley and IM Nazí Paikidze. Follow the action on the Saint Louis Chess Club’s YouTube and Twitch channels.

Attend in Person

Spectators are invited to attend the 2026 American Cup at the beautifully renovated Saint Louis Chess Club, with daily play beginning at 12:00 p.m. CT. Spectator tickets include access to the tournament hall and a dedicated viewing room with complimentary beverages and snacks.

Visit the World Chess Hall of Fame

While attending the American Cup, visitors are encouraged to explore the current exhibitions at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, located steps from the Saint Louis Chess Club.

Chess Variants: Transforming Tradition

This exhibition traces chess’s evolution from its ancient origins to modern innovations, exploring how cultures across continents reshaped the game and how today’s players continue to experiment with bold new variants.

Charles Houska: Master of Play

A vibrant retrospective spanning the artist’s 25-year career, featuring more than 75 works including new chess-themed commissions and a striking 3D-printed chess set, alongside highlights from his community projects and major collaborations.

Reading Between the Lines: Chess & Literature

Curated by Emily Allred, this exhibition examines the relationship between chess and storytelling through rare books, artifacts, and themed sets — including materials connected to The Queen’s Gambit author Walter Tevis.

For more information about the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries current exhibitions, visit worldchesshof.org.