If the bid lands, it’ll be the first Olympiad on African soil, and a proud moment for the continent’s chess family.
South Africa (14 August 2025) – Chess South Africa announced the news that it is preparing a formal bid to host the 2030 World Chess Olympiad, which would be a history-making first for Africa!
The push gained some steam on 9 August when Chess SA’s Executive Board sat down with a heavyweight group that included FIDE Deputy Chairperson Dana Reizniece, SASCOC 1st Vice President Lwandile Semilane, senior leadership from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, and Dr Lyndon Bouah from the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport.
Everyone around the table aligned on one goal. To bring the world’s biggest chess event to South Africa.
“We are proud to announce that Chess SA will prepare a bid to host the 2030 World Chess Olympiad, making history by bringing the world’s greatest chess event to African soil for the first time ever,” stated Chess South Africa.
Since FIDE was founded in 1924, the Olympiad has been staged on every continent except Africa. Landing 2030 here would finally complete that circle and give thousands of young players a front-row seat to the very best in the game.
It would be the kind of sporting moment that inspires the next generation of chess champs.
There’s broad support behind the idea already. Chess SA says SASCOC and DSAC are backing the plan, and the African Chess Confederation has publicly endorsed South Africa’s intention to bid.
A bid of this scale involves securing many different moving gears in the process including venues, transport, security, volunteers, and broadcasting.
For SA’s chess fans, an Olympiad on home soil means seeing national teams from around the world compete right here. It would be a rare chance to watch elite chess live, and to show off the spirit South Africans bring to any big event.
There’s good momentum in the wider chess world, too.
FIDE’s upcoming calendar this year includes the World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad in Barranquilla, Colombia (16–23 August 2025), and the 2nd FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities in Astana, Kazakhstan (19–26 October 2025).
It’s early days, but the intention is clear and the support is lining up to make the move that would bring the Olympiad to SA!
Sources: Linked above.
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:
Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 