New flagship club competition to crown Europe’s finest chess team, with a guaranteed prize fund of €300,000 — Bucharest, Romania, 2–10 February 2027
The European Chess Union (ECU) is proud to announce the creation of the European Chess Superleague, a groundbreaking new flagship club competition that will bring together the finest chess teams on the continent. The inaugural edition will be held in Bucharest, Romania, from 2 to 10 February 2027, in partnership with Super Foundation (Romania) as the host the Romanian Chess Federation.
Designed to sit at the very pinnacle of European club chess, the Superleague will bring together eight elite teams competing in a full Round Robin format across seven rounds, with no rest day. Each team fields six boards and carries two reserves. The competition offers a minimum guaranteed prize fund of €300,000, the largest in the history of European club chess , and will award its winner the title of European Super League Champion, together with the ECU League Cup Trophy and gold medals. Silver and bronze medals will be presented to the second- and third-placed teams respectively.
Participation in the European Chess Superleague is determined by a rigorous qualification framework built to guarantee the highest possible competitive standard. The eight competing teams will be drawn from four key pathways: the top four finishers from the preceding European Chess Club Cup; the highest-rated eligible European club not otherwise qualified; one representative team fielded by the host organiser; and two wild card teams selected by the ECU, each required to maintain a minimum average FIDE rating of 2600 across their playing roster. Teams must observe standard club eligibility rules, with a structured additional fee arrangement for players outside those criteria.
“The European Chess Superleague marks a defining moment for club chess on our continent. For decades, the European Chess Union has worked to elevate the game at every level, from grassroots education to elite competition. The Superleague is the realisation of a long-held ambition: a dedicated, prestigious, and financially meaningful stage where the very best European club teams compete under one roof for the highest honours. I am delighted to welcome this landmark competition to Bucharest, and I extend my sincere gratitude to Super Foundation and to Romania Chess Federation for their commitment to hosting what promises to be an extraordinary event. We invite players, teams, federations, sponsors, and fans to be part of this historic chapter in European chess.” – Zurab Azmairashvili, ECU President
“Romania has long nurtured a deep passion for chess, and to welcome the inaugural European Chess Superleague to Bucharest is an honour that reflects the commitment of our federation, our players, and our nation to this great game. ‘Romania, Heart of European Chess!’ is not simply a rallying call, it is a declaration of ambition and a testament to what Romanian chess stands for. The prospect of the continent’s finest club teams competing in Bucharest, for the largest prize fund in the history of European club chess, fills us with enormous pride. We are committed to delivering an event worthy of this landmark occasion, and I extend a warm welcome to every team, federation, and chess fan who will join us in Bucharest in February 2027.” – Vlad Ardeleanu, President of Romanian Chess Federation and ECU Deputy President
The prize fund distribution reflects the ECU’s commitment to rewarding excellence at every position in the final standings. The champion club will receive €110,000; second place €70,000; third place €50,000; fourth place €40,000; and fifth place €30,000. Additional prize allocations will be confirmed in the full tournament regulations.
Full technical regulations, team registration procedures, and further details regarding media accreditation and spectator access will be published on the official ECU website. The tournament regulations can be found here. National federations and clubs with qualification interest are encouraged to consult the ECU Secretariat for guidance.
About the European Chess Union (ECU) – www.europechess.org
Founded in 1985, the European Chess Union is the continental governing body for chess in Europe, representing 54 national federations and overseeing a community of more than 8 million players and chess fans across the continent. The ECU holds the exclusive rights to organise the full programme of European Chess Championships and organises more than 20 prestigious events and championships annually, spanning elite open and women’s competitions, youth championships, team events, and specialised formats. Beyond competitive chess, the ECU licenses trainers and arbiters, advances chess education through accredited programmes and digital learning platforms, and works to promote the game as a tool for intellectual development across all levels of society.
About the Romanian Chess Federation – www.frsah.ro
The Romanian Chess Federation (Federația Română de Șah) is the national governing body for chess in Romania and one of the most active and successful chess federations in Europe, with a proud competitive tradition stretching back decades. The federation organises national championships, youth development programmes, and international events, and has produced world-class players and grandmasters throughout its history. A full member of both the European Chess Union and FIDE, the Romanian Chess Federation is led by President Vlad Ardeleanu.