Spectator Tickets - Isle of Wight International Chess Masters 2026

Join us and spectate at the Isle of Wight Masters this February. With over 30 chess masters taking part, it promises to be a spectacular week of chess.

This year, the top boards will play in the Ryde School Theatre, where you will be able to sit just a few metres away in comfortable theatre seating and watch all the action unfold.

Please note that, due to the need to control the venue for tournament fair play and to comply with fire regulations, there is no free admittance to the school at any time without a valid ticket. Free community events will take place in Ryde town centre.

Adults: £12.50

Adults (Rounds 2 to 9): £35

Children: £7.50

Children (Rounds 2 to 9): £25

Schedule of play:

📅 Tue 17 Feb Round 2 – 10:00

Round 3 – 16:00

📅 Wed 18 Feb Round 4 – 14:00

📅 Thu 19 Feb Round 5 – 10:00

Round 6 – 16:00

📅 Fri 20 Feb Round 7 – 10:00

📅 Sat 21 Feb Round 8 – 15:00

📅 Sun 22 Feb Round 9 – 10

Spectating is permitted for Rounds 2 to 9. If you buy a season ticket you may attend at any time other than Round 1 at 2pm on Monday 16th February.

Tournament Players and parents of players accompanying juniors do not need to purchase a ticket and can spectate in the theatre at any time during rounds.

The players will compete on live digital boards, with the games projected onto the walls and shown on TV screens throughout the venue, ensuring you can follow every move.

We are also hoping to provide silent-disco headphones so you can listen to the live commentary. Think more BBC Snooker coverage rather than chatty chess commentary. This is still to be confirmed, as we do not currently have the budget for commentary, but it may be possible depending on spectator ticket sales.

☕Your ticket includes a hot drink from our on-site catering team.

Hot food and drink will be available to purchase on-site from Vivid Catering. There will also be an area to play friendly chess games and a chess bookshop.

Children must be accompanied by an adult and mobile phones must be turned off or left with the event reception team directly outside the theatre doors.

The front gate will be manned for 1 hour after the start of each round.

After this time you may struggle to get access unless someone notices you at the gate.

Is this for children? Please note that spectators must remain absolutely silent during play and stay in their seats unless getting a drink or going to the bathroom. This is unlikely to appeal to most children under 12. We suggest taking part in the free community activities in the town centre instead.

It's a very elite chess tournament and you will be spectating on the top tables, please do not expect to interact with players during the games. They may be happy to sign autographs or pose for photographs outside after their games.

If you have any question please email us on hello@iowchess.com

Terms and conditions:

Spectators and the Press

For the purposes of this section, all members of the Press are considered to be spectators.

Only approved persons may take photographs in the playing venue. Photography is allowed at all times in the spectator theatre.

Expelling Spectators: All arbiters are empowered to ask spectators or the Press to leave the playing area immediately should they be in breach of these regulations. 

Mobile Phones

During play mobile phones and other electronic devices must be completely switched off. If you are seen using a device in the playing hall you will be asked to leave and not allowed to return.

Anti-Cheating 

Spectators who are thought to be communicating with players will removed.

Parental Responsibility 

Parents or guardians are responsible for their children during the tournament. The organisers and helpers are not able to act ‘in loco parentis’ and are not able to take responsibility for any child’s actions, or for the actions of anyone that may affect their children

Liability

The organisers accept no responsibility for any loss, theft or accident during the tournament.

Zero Tolerance of Abuse 

The Chief Arbiter is empowered to expel a player or spectator from all tournaments entered, either for a number or rounds, a number of days, or in their entirety, who shows abuse by word or action towards an arbiter, any member of staff or any player at the isle of Wight International Open or other competitions within the event.