IMSA invites bids from India, others to host World Mind Games in 2026-27

The International Mind Sports Association has invited bids from India and other countries to host the upcoming World Mind Games , scheduled to be held either later in 2026 or early 2027 , in a move aimed at expanding the global reach of mind sports .

The World Mind Games is a major international multi-discipline event featuring competitive mind-based sports , bringing together top-ranked players, grandmasters, and strategic thinkers from across the world. The competition is expected to include events such as chess, e-sports, bridge, go, draughts, and poker , making it one of the most diverse global platforms for cognitive sports.

IMSA officials said India is emerging as a key market due to its rapidly growing base of players and rising corporate interest in gaming and e-sports. They also highlighted the success of Indian chess players, including Viswanathan Anand, Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, and D Gukesh , who have significantly strengthened India’s position in global chess.

India’s performance in mind sports has shown a sharp upward trend in recent years. The country has produced over 80 grandmasters and is among the fastest-growing chess nations globally. India created history by winning double gold at the 2022 Chess Olympiad and has continued strong performances in subsequent international events. Rising stars such as R Praggnanandhaa, who qualified for the FIDE Candidates Tournament, and D Gukesh, who has emerged as one of India’s top young grandmasters and a strong contender on the global stage, have further boosted India’s standing in world chess. Estimates suggest India now has over 50–60 million chess players, making it one of the largest chess-playing populations in the world.

According to IMSA Chief Marketing Officer Sandeep Singh, the association is actively seeking corporate partnerships to expand chess and other mind sports. He said that India already has a large player base and growing investments in e-sports, making it an attractive destination for hosting the event.

IMSA CEO Geoffrey Borg stated that chess alone has over 50 million players in India , and the organisation aims to expand its reach significantly in the coming years. He added that the goal is to promote mind sports across a much larger global audience, with plans to make chess accessible to hundreds of millions worldwide.

The association also confirmed that IMSA president Arkady Dvorkovich, who is also the FIDE president, brings strong leadership experience, which could help strengthen the event’s global appeal.

With rising talent, growing investment, and expanding international interest, India is seen as a strong contender to host the prestigious World Mind Games .