Freedom Holding Corp. Named General Partner for 2026 World Chess Championship

Freedom Holding Corp., a financial services company based in New York, has been named the General Partner for the upcoming Salesforce FIDE World Championship Match 2026. This partnership builds on Freedom's long-standing support for international chess, which has spanned multiple competitions and initiatives aimed at expanding access to the game and developing young talent.

The 2026 match will feature reigning World Champion Gukesh D of India, who will defend his title against Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan. Both players will be 20 years old when the match begins, making this the youngest World Championship contest in the event's history. Gukesh won the title in Singapore in 2024, while Sindarov secured his place in the match by winning the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament.

The match will take place from November 22 to December 12, 2026, at the Fondation Martin Bodmer in Cologny, Switzerland. The official programme will commence with an Opening Ceremony at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on November 22. The event is expected to bring the very best of chess to a global audience, with the support of Freedom Holding Corp. and its partners.

Freedom Holding Corp., with its principal executive office in New York City, has a broad commitment to chess as a platform for education, intellectual development, and international exchange. The company has invested in school chess, training programmes, and initiatives to create opportunities for players, coaches, and young people in Kazakhstan and internationally. This partnership with FIDE is part of Freedom's ongoing efforts to support top-level competition and the broader chess ecosystem.

Timur Turlov, founder and CEO of Freedom Holding Corp., and President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, expressed pride in continuing the company's long-term support for the game. "It depends on strong federations, opportunities for young players, good coaches, education, technology, and partnerships that are built for the long term. That has been the thinking behind our cooperation with FIDE from the beginning."

Emil Sutovsky, CEO of FIDE, echoed Turlov's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of the partnership. "It is the event that determines who stands at the top. We are proud to have the support of Freedom, a company that champions smart solutions and takes a long-term view, thinking several moves ahead, much like the world's top chess players."

Salesforce, the Title Sponsor and Technological Partner of the FIDE World Championship Matches, will continue its support through a multi-year agreement. Freedom Holding Corp.'s role as General Partner will help FIDE deliver and promote one of the most important events on the international chess calendar.

The partnership between Freedom Holding Corp. and FIDE is a testament to their shared commitment to the development and promotion of chess. As the 2026 World Championship approaches, both organizations are looking forward to bringing the very best of the game to a global audience.