♟️ Emirates Stadium is the place to be for the return of the XTX Markets London Chess Classic and an 8-day chess extravaganza headlined by a Grandmaster Tournament. Read on for a preview and the latest ticket information.
It’s official. The 15th edition of this flagship event will take place at the home of Arsenal Football Club between Thursday 27 November and Friday 5 December 2025. Alongside the Grandmaster Tournament, a host of other events will take place at Emirates Stadium as part of the LCC Festival. London Chess Classic tickets are on sale now!
GRANDMASTER TOURNAMENT
The London Chess Classic is the most prestigious tournament in the UK chess calendar. It attracts top grandmasters from around the world.
Since it was established in 2009, the London Chess Classic has been a platform for many chess legends to showcase their skills. Notable winners include Magnus Carlsen, who has won multiple times, Vladimir Kramnik, Viswanathan Anand, the current world champion Ding Liren, and Hikaru Nakamura.
The tournament has also been a stage for emerging talents to make their mark on the international chess scene. Notably Praggnanandhaa, who won the 2019 FIDE Open at age 14, and Shreyas Royal who achieved a Grandmaster norm at the 2023 main event.
Last year Gawain Jones dazzled on the Emirates Stadium stage to pick up first prize at the 2024 London Chess Classic with an undefeated 5/7 score. The 36-year-old grandmaster and fifth seed secured a stellar 2795 Tournament Performance Rating. Jones led from start to finish and sealed victory with a final-round win over women’s world champion Ju Wenjun.
Who will win the LCC Grandmaster Tournament in 2025? All roads lead to Emirates Stadium to find out!
The XTX Markets London Chess Classic includes:-
– A world-class Grandmaster Tournament, including several of the UK’s top chess players and a selection of talent from across the globe
– The FIDE Open, a 9-round classical chess tournament suitable for players seeking title norms
– U-2100 Round Robins, a series of 6-player all-play-all classical chess tournament for those rated under 2100
– Two Weekend Rapidplays, 7-round tournaments suitable for players of all standards
– Six evening Blitz Tournaments suitable for players from beginners to experts
– A Team Blitz tournament for teams of four players
– A Bughouse Chess tournament for teams of two players
– Challenge the Master sessions where anyone can take on one of our residents experts
London Chess Classic Tickets, Timings & Travel
🎟️ Tickets are on sale via the ‘Get tickets’ link.
🗓️ Daily schedule can be viewed here.
🚊🚗 Travel tips: Emirates Stadium in N7 is accessible by tube, train, bus, coach, car, motorbike and bicycle. See this ‘Getting Here’ guide for full details and direction for the venue.
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