The 2026 Orlando Magic Chess Championship will be held on February 7, 2026!
Orlando Magic Chess Championship
The 2026 Orlando Magic Chess Championship will be held on February 7, 2026!
Hosted by Orlando Regional Chess Alliance
in association with:
**IMPORTANT NOTE**
To participate, you must both register for the tournament and purchase an Orlando Magic basketball game ticket (our group rate starts at $24/basketball ticket). Accompanying guests also must purchase Orlando Magic basketball game tickets to attend this event. Please read the full details below.
Step 1: Use this link to buy discounted basketball tickets starting at $24 for tournament participants AND any guests (if you are bringing a toddler, see our 2026 FAQ). Tickets will be needed to enter the arena. You will need a basketball ticket even if you are only playing in the chess tournament and don't plan to attend the game. If the discounted tickets are sold out, please visit Ticketmaster for more ticket options.
Step 2: Register and pay the chess tournament fee here on Chessregister.
REGISTRANTS AND ACCOMPANYING GUESTS MUST PURCHASE A TICKET TO THE MAGIC VS. JAZZ GAME VIA THE LINK ABOVE EVEN IF THEY ARE ATTENDING ONLY THE CHESS TOURNAMENT AND NOT STAYING FOR THE BASKETBALL GAME. WITHOUT A GAME TICKET, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER THE BUILDING WHERE THE CHESS TOURNAMENT WILL BE HELD.
*Please also note that outside food is not permitted inside the Kia Center. Water is allowed.
*Pizza will be provided for lunch, courtesy of ORCA.
When: February 7, 2026 (Saturday)
Where: The Kia Center's Hourglass Room. Click here for more venue details.
Please arrive by 9:45 a.m. to allow enough time to park, get through security to enter the arena, and locate the Hourglass Room, which is on the 5th level of the arena. Tournament announcements begin at 10:30 a.m.
Format: 4 rounds of G25/d5 with G/3+2 blitz tiebreaker rounds for non-cash prizes if needed.
Chess boards and clocks will be provided.
Click here for the schedule.
Click here for additional important event information in the Tournament FAQ.
Registration Fees:
$30 Open USCF Rated Section
$30 U1600 USCF Rated Section
$20 Open Non-Rated Section
$20 Scholastic USCF Rated Section (K-12)
$20 U600 Scholastic USCF Rated Section (K-12)
Prizes:
Cash prizes (minimum 50% of section entry fees) will be awarded to the top finishers in the Open USCF Rated and U1600 Rated Sections. Top finishers from all sections will win trophies. Exclusive Orlando Magic merchandise will also be awarded. See the 2026 Prizes tab of this website for more information about other prizes.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 SPONSORS!