Samarkand to host the 46th Chess Olympiad this September

Samarkand will welcome the global chess community from 15 to 27 September 2026, when the city hosts the 46th Chess Olympiad — organised by the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The competition will take place at the Silk Road International Exhibition Center and is expected to draw around 200 national teams and several thousand players and spectators from approximately 190 countries, according to FIDE’s official event page at chessolympiad2026.fide.com.

World Chess Day, observed on 20 July, marked the final countdown to the event and drew fresh global attention to Samarkand as the host city, as noted by sportanddev.org.

The Olympiad runs alongside the 3rd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities and the FIDE Congress, turning Samarkand into a true international gathering for nearly two weeks. For travellers, the event is a rare chance to experience the city’s extraordinary Registan Square, Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, and buzzing teahouses at their most vibrant — alongside the world’s top chess players. Visitors planning to combine the Olympiad with broader touring of Uzbekistan should book accommodation in Samarkand early, as demand is expected to be high.