XXVII Sants-City of Barcelona International Chess Open 2026 runs from August 21-30, 2026, in Barcelona, Spain. This is a chess tournament in Barcelona, Spain, in 2026. It brings one of the city’s best-known summer opens back to the Sants district for ten rounds of classical chess across ten days.

The event features three groups. Group A stays open to all players and also counts for GM, IM, and Catalan Master norms, while Groups B and C serve players under 1950 and under 1650 FIDE. Moreover, all three groups count for FIDE and Catalan rating, and the confirmed cash prize fund totals EUR 21,000, which is approximately USD 24,100.

Cotxeres de Sants gives the tournament a practical city setting with an air-conditioned, accessible main hall and adjacent rooms. In addition, the event belongs to the XXII Catalan Circuit and also adds side activities such as doubles, futsal, and simultaneous exhibitions, so the festival atmosphere extends beyond the main games.

📌 Event Details

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament uses the FIDE Dutch Swiss system over ten rounds. Each player receives 90 minutes for the first 40 moves and then 30 extra minutes to finish the game, with a 30-second increment from move one. Meanwhile, the event seeds each group first by FIDE rating and then by Catalan rating.

The structure stays clear. Group A accepts all players. Group B accepts players under 1950 FIDE, and Group C accepts players under 1650 FIDE. Players who qualify for B or C may still choose Group A. If they do not state a group during registration, the organizer may place them in the most suitable section.

The sporting rules also matter here. Players may arrive up to one hour after the round starts; after that, they lose by forfeit. In addition, each player may request up to two zero-point byes, but none in the last round, and the organizer does not award half-point byes. If players tie in the top eight places of Group A, or for first place in Group B or C, the event uses a match-play system with blitz games and Armageddon if needed. Mobile phones and other electronic devices are forbidden in the main playing hall during play, although the organizer provides a locker service at the entrance.

🏆 Prize Fund

The confirmed cash prize fund totals EUR 21,000, which is approximately USD 24,100. Group A carries the deepest prize ladder, while Groups B and C add their own main prizes. In addition, Group A includes women’s prizes and rating prizes. Cash prizes do not accumulate, while age-category awards come as trophies.

Group B and Group C also award a trophy to the best woman. Moreover, the event adds age-category trophies: Group A and Group B award best U14, best U16, and best senior 60+, while Group C awards best U10, best U12, and best senior 60+. The tournament also awards team trophies to the top two clubs.

👥 Sections / Groups

The three-group structure keeps the tournament flexible. Strong titled and expert players can aim for norms in Group A, while club players can choose a more suitable rating band in Group B or Group C. At the same time, players who qualify for a lower section may still move up and compete in Group A.

🗓️ Schedule

The main hall opens one hour before each round for anti-cheating checks.

📝 Registration

Players should register early because the event accepts entries in order of completed registration. In addition, the tournament website lists separate online forms for Group A, Group B, and Group C, which makes the process straightforward for players who already know their section.

🏢 Organizer

Federació Catalana d’Escacs organizes the event together with the Secretariat d’Entitats de Sants Hostafrancs i la Bordeta, while Barcelona City Council supports the tournament. Therefore, the open combines strong federation backing with a long-standing local base in the Sants district.

Phone: +34 93 291 87 01
Email: ciutatdebarcelona@escacs.cat

📍 Venue

Auditori del Centre Cívic Cotxeres de Sants, Carrer de Sants 79, 08014 Barcelona, Spain

The venue gives the tournament a practical city setting in Sants-Montjuïc. It also offers an accessible, air-conditioned playing environment, and the organizer can expand into adjacent rooms when needed.

🚆 How to Get There

Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport is the main airport for international arrivals. After that, players can continue into the Sants district by train, metro, bus, taxi, or car. Because the venue sits on Carrer de Sants in Barcelona, it works well for players staying in the city or arriving through the Sants area.

This Barcelona open is a strong choice for players who want a long classical event with norms, big prizes, and a central city setting.