Football stars like Haaland and Salah fuel chess's rise with a new pro tour
Chess has become a popular pastime among top footballers, with stars like Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah embracing the game. The sport's digital boom has also seen over 1.5 billion people install chess apps on their phones, according to FIDE. Now, a new professional tour backed by footballers is set to raise the stakes even higher. Norwegian striker Erling Haaland has taken his passion for chess a step further by investing in a new tournament series. The tour will host four events each year, offering a minimum prize fund of £2 million ($2.7 million). His fascination with the game reflects a wider trend among athletes who see strategic parallels between chess and football.
Pep Guardiola is among the football managers who compare the two disciplines, noting how both require tactical thinking and adaptability. Meanwhile, Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah prefers the fast-paced 'blitz' version of chess, playing online whenever he can. Other players have personal ties to the game. Christian Pulisic sports a queen chess piece tattoo, a tribute to his grandfather who taught him to play. Arsenal midfielder Eberechi Eze even won an amateur chess tournament in 2025, proving his skill beyond the pitch. The connection between football and chess runs deep, with grandmaster Magnus Carlsen—himself a football fan—facing off against players like Trent Alexander-Arnold in friendly matches. The list of chess-loving footballers doesn't end there. Antoine Griezmann and Dani Carvajal are also known for their enthusiasm, showing how the game has captured the interest of athletes across Europe.
The new chess tour, backed by Haaland's investment, will bring higher prize money and more visibility to the game. With footballers openly embracing chess, the sport continues to grow in popularity both on and off the pitch. The crossover between the two worlds looks set to strengthen even further in the coming years.
