Global Chess League (GCL) is the franchise-team format chess equivalent — six teams named after global cities (Mumbai, Dubai, Berlin, etc.), each fielding six players (1 male icon, 2 male, 2 female, 1 youth), playing rapid (25+10) match-format over a two-week season. Founded in 2023 in partnership with Tech Mahindra, it has run annually since.
Season 4
Season 4’s host city and venue have not yet been finalised at time of writing; previous editions have rotated between Dubai (S1), London (S2), and a hybrid Dubai/London (S3). FIDE and Tech Mahindra have indicated a possible Mumbai or Hyderabad hosting for S4. Total prize fund $1 million.