Fourteen games, one online form. FIDE opened media accreditation on October 12, 2026, for the Salesforce FIDE World Championship in Geneva between Gukesh D and Javokhir Sindarov. There will be no desk at the venue, so the online application is the only way in.
As FIDE announced, the championship match opens in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 22, 2026. The first of its 14 games is scheduled for November 24.
Gukesh D of India defends the crown as World Champion, while Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan arrives as the Challenger. According to FIDE, both players are 20 years old.
The governing body calls the pair prodigies and describes the title at stake as the most prestigious in chess.
How FIDE accreditation works
Applicants fill in a digital form on the match website, and a FIDE team then reviews each submission.
Those who are approved get a separate confirmation email. FIDE stressed that no registration desk will operate at the Geneva venue, so signing up on arrival is not an option.
The application window stays open for the whole championship. Even so, FIDE warned that it cannot promise quick handling of requests filed at the last minute, and it urged media to apply early.
Who can cover the Geneva match
Passes are intended mainly for professional journalists and for people representing bona fide media organizations.
FIDE added that a small number could also go to freelancers and independent content creators, a group that includes bloggers and YouTubers.
Reporters who have worked FIDE events before can expect the familiar procedures and media policies, according to the announcement. First-timers are advised to read the federation's detailed media guidelines.
Looking ahead to November 22
The match begins on November 22, 2026, so outlets planning to send someone to Geneva have several weeks to get their paperwork in.
For fans following from home, the date to mark is November 24, when Gukesh D and Javokhir Sindarov sit down for the first of their 14 games.
Play your own games on Chessiverse
While the press sorts out its passes, club players can get ready in their own way: by playing serious games against opponents who make them think.
Chessiverse has 1,100+ bots on the roster, with an opponent at every rating, from beginner to 3000+.
Before game 1 in Geneva, pick a bot near your level on our bots page and play a few long games of your own.