Emirates Team Blitz Championships
On Friday 5th December 2025, the Emirates Stadium will host a new event for the London Chess Classic. Teams of four players will compete in a Swiss tournament for the title of Emirates Team Blitz Champions. Entrants to this tournaments are also able to spectate on the main event of the 2025 XTX Markets London Chess Classic or listen to the live grandmaster commentary.
Below is a summary of some of the key rules of the tournament. For full details, please see the LCC Regulations.
Who can enter?
The Emirates Team Blitz Championships are open to teams of four players. There are no ratings restrictions on the team or the players.
Venue
The Emirates Team Blitz Championships will take place at the Emirates Stadium.
Schedule/format
The tournament will begin at 5pm. The format will be a 9-round Swiss tournament.
Prize fund
TBD
Time Control
3+2
Byes
Byes are not permitted in this event and all teams are expected to play every game.
Entry fee
£60 per team
Free entry for all teams with at least two GMs or IMs
Free entry* for all teams with at least two female players (British citizens only)
Free entry* for all teams with at least two players U25 (must be born on or after 26/11/2000) (British citizens only)
Free entry* for all teams with at least two active CSC tutors.
Please note: to receive a free entry, players in the categories above must guarantee to play all rounds. Players will be asked to pay the standard entry fee upfront and will have that refunded at the end of the tournament on completion of all the games.
Fair play policy
Please see the London Chess Classic Festival Fair Play Policy.
Parental responsibility
Parents or guardians are responsible for their children during the tournament. The organisers and helpers are not able to act “in loco parentis” and are not able to take responsibility for any child’s actions, or for the actions of anyone that may affect your child. The Emirates Stadium does not allow children under the age of 16 to be unaccompanied. All players under the age of 16 must have a parent or guardian on-site at all times.
Liability
The organisers accept no responsibility for any loss, theft or accident during the tournament.
Right to refuse entry
The Chief Organiser reserves the right to refuse entry without being required to state a reason, and to transfer players between tournaments at any time.
