The 2025 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour is set to make its U.S. debut in Las Vegas, with the third leg of the tour scheduled from july 16 to 20. According to organizers, the event will be held at the Wynn Las vegas, offering fans the chance to witness the competition live.

Tickets for the tournament range from $90 for general admission to $550 for VIP experiences, including private booths and meet-and-greets with players.

Jan Henric Buettner, CEO and co-founder of Freestyle Chess, stated, “Wynn Las Vegas offers an unparalleled stage to introduce Freestyle’s high-energy, immersive format to the U.S.-not just as a game of strategy, but as a world-class spectator experience.”

Save the dates!
Chesstival: July 13
Las vegas Grand Slam: July 16 – July 20

Aaaand for the first time, fans can experience Freestyle Chess live. Tickets are available, link in bio🤩 pic.twitter.com/ff0NzvOiV4

– freestyle-chess (@chess_freestyle) June 3, 2025

Prior to the Grand Slam, Chesstival, a celebrity chess tournament featuring current and former NBA players, will take place on July 13. This event, in partnership with Chess.com, will award $50,000 in prize money to charity.

The league has garnered $20 million from investors, including NBA star Derrick Rose, who is slated to participate in Chesstival. “I really believe Chesstival is one of the biggest paradigm shifts, along with Freestyle Chess, that the chess world has ever seen, and I think they’re going to help grow the game,” said former NBA MVP and investor in Freestyle Chess, Derrick Rose.

the big declaration is here! Freestyle Chess and Derrick Rose’s Chesstival land in the U.S. in July! ♟️🤩🏀#FreestyleChess #Chesstival pic.twitter.com/TRfDRZjqLi

– freestyle-chess (@chess_freestyle) June 3, 2025

Top Chess Players Expected to Compete

While the official player list is pending, the tournament anticipates participation from GM Magnus Carlsen, the victor of the 2025 Freestyle Chess Paris Grand Slam, alongside world number-two GM Hikaru Nakamura, current live number-three GM Fabiano Caruana, and number-five GM Arjun Erigaisi.

“I’m not a big fan of the change to rapid… Trying to play a rapid game is going to be really brutal. I’d be surprised if I do as well.”

The Las Vegas event will introduce a revised format, shortening the event from eight to five days. It will feature a group stage followed by a knockout phase with Upper and Lower brackets,where only Upper bracket players can vie for the championship. The classical time control will be replaced by “fast-rapid” games, giving each player less than an hour for all moves.

GM hikaru Nakamura expressed reservations about the format change, stating, “I’m not a big fan of the change to rapid.I think that, for me, I much prefer the classical, even if I finished second here. I thought that it’s a lot of fun to use your time to figure it out. Trying to play a rapid game is going to be really brutal. I’d be surprised if I do as well.”

Despite the adjustments, the tournament offers $750,000 in prize money and contributes to the overall standings for crowning the first Freestyle Chess champion at the tour’s conclusion.