Second Annual Orlando Magic Chess Championship

We are thrilled to announce the Second Annual Orlando Magic Chess Championship, returning to the Kia Center on Saturday, February 7, 2026 brought to you by the Orlando Regional Chess Alliance! This unique event combines the intensity of competitive chess with the high-energy excitement of an Orlando Magic home game. Spend your day playing chess in the beautiful Hourglass Room, overlooking Downtown Orlando, and your evening watching the Orlando Magic take on the Utah Jazz starting at 7:00p. This tournament will be a four round Swiss with a time control of G/25;d5.

VERY VERY IMPORTANT: Basketball game tickets are required to attend this event! Even if you are not playing. Please follow the steps below.

Step 1: 
Use this link to buy basketball tickets at our discounted group rate starting at $24 for tournament participants AND any guests (if you are bringing a toddler see the FAQ on our event website). Tickets will be needed to enter the arena. This is our discounted group rate and availability is limited. 

If you plan on attending we highly recommend that you purchase these group rate tickets as soon as you know you are attending because our group rate tickets are based on availability and could sell out based on demand. Also registration may close at any time before the start of the tournament, so register for the tournament as soon as you know you can come and play in order to guarantee a spot in the tournament. 

Tickets to the Orlando Magic vs the Utah Jazz on Saturday, February 7, 2026 are required for admission to the chess tournament as well as the basketball game. 

Step 2: Register and pay the chess tournament fee on ChessRegister.com.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Tournament Director Nick Perez at [email protected]

You need a basketball ticket even if you are only playing in the chess tournament and don't plan to attend the game! 

You will need to register and purchase tickets in order to play in the tournament. Spectators only need to purchase a basketball ticket. 

This tournament will take place in the Kia Center's Hourglass Room on February 7, 2026 before the Magic host the Utah Jazz. NOTE: Outside food is not permitted in the Kia Center. Please arrive by 10:00am because you will need time to park, get through security to get in the arena, and locate the Hourglass Room, which is on the 5th level of the arena. The tournament begins promptly at 10:45 a.m. 

Lunch will be provided at the break for all participants and spectators. We will be accepting donations at that time for anyone that would like to help us offset the costs of the meal and support ORCA. 

Among other prizes, the winner of the Open Rated and the winner of the Scholastic Rated sections will be recognized at center court in front of thousands of fans at the Kia Center right before the Magic take on the Jazz! 

After the tournament is over you will not be able to bring your chess bag with you to the game you will need to either:

• Return your chess equipment to your car
• Rent a smart locker outside of the Kia Center. The Kia Center uses the BinBox smart locker service. Details about this service, including locker dimensions, can be found at this link.
  
  This tournament has five sections:
• Open Rated
• Under 1600 Rated
• Scholastic Rated
• Scholastic Under 600 Rated
• Open Non-Rated
  
  The time control for this event is G25/d5. 
  
  ENTRANTS AND SPECTATORS MUST PURCHASE A TICKET TO THE JAZZ VS. MAGIC GAME VIA THE LINK BELOW EVEN IF THEY ARE ATTENDING ONLY THE CHESS TOURNAMENT AND NOT STAYING FOR THE BASKETBALL GAME. REGISTRANTS WITH NO GAME TICKET WILL BE UNABLE TO ENTER THE BUILDING WHERE THE CHESS TOURNAMENT IS HELD. 
  
  Buy Our Special Group Rate Tickets Here! Starting at $24 but act fast as this offer will be good until tickets sell out! This is a great deal that will not last so purchase your tickets and register here today! 
  
  Once an entrant has purchased a ticket using the provided link, they may then register here for one of our available sections. 
  Open Rated and Under 1600 Rated: $30 
  All other sections: $20 
  
  All sections require a USCF membership except for the Open Non-Rated section. Do not fill in the FIDE ID field. Cash prizes (to be determined) will be awarded to the top finishers in the Open USCF Rated and Open Under 1600 Sections. Top finishers from all sections will win trophies and exclusive Orlando Magic merchandise. 
  
  Please direct any questions to Tournament Director Nick Perez at [email protected].
  
  Our event website can be found at www.orlandomagicchess.com. Learn more about the Orlando Regional Chess Alliance at orcachess.com. 
  
  Schedule 
  Check In - 10:00 a.m. 
  Announcements - 10:30 a.m. 
  Round 1 - 10:45 a.m. 
  Lunch Break - 12:00 p.m. 
  Round 2 - 12:30 a.m. 
  Round 3 - 1:45 p.m.
  Round 4 - 3:00 p.m. 
  Blitz Tiebreaks followed by Awards - 4:15 p.m. 
  Tournament Complete - 5:30 p.m. 
  Magic Vs. Jazz Tip-Off - 7:00 p.m 
  
  ROUND TIMES AND LENGTH SUBJECT TO CHANGE