Intro
Premier League icons embrace chess, driving surge in popularity among youth
London
A growing fascination with chess among football’s biggest names is fuelling a global surge in the game’s popularity, with stars like Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah leading the trend.
From dressing rooms to downtime at home, elite footballers are increasingly turning to chess as a mental challenge and relaxation tool. Haaland’s passion has gone a step further, with the Manchester City striker investing in a new global chess tour aimed at capitalising on the game’s rising cultural appeal.
Salah, meanwhile, has openly described himself as “addicted” to chess, regularly playing fast-paced online formats under anonymous profiles. England captain Harry Kane, along with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Anthony Gordon, are also among those embracing the board game.
The crossover extends beyond England, with players like Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze showing keen interest, the latter even winning an amateur tournament in 2025. Globally, stars such as Antoine Griezmann and Dani Carvajal are also avid players.
Chess legend Magnus Carlsen, a well-known football fan, has played a key role in bridging the two worlds. His encounters with footballers, including a quick victory over Alexander-Arnold, have added to the buzz surrounding the crossover.
The similarities between the two disciplines are increasingly recognised. Both demand strategic thinking, anticipation and quick decision-making under pressure. “You have to think several moves ahead,” Haaland noted, highlighting parallels between controlling a football match and dominating a chessboard.
The boom is also being driven by digital platforms, with online chess apps making the game more accessible than ever. According to International Chess Federation, over 1.5 billion people now have a chess app on their phones, a number that surged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cultural influences, including the success of The Queen’s Gambit, have further modernised chess’s image, attracting younger audiences worldwide.
While football remains their primary passion, many players view chess as a way to sharpen the mind and unwind. As Kane put it, the game offers a rare mental escape—one that is now reshaping chess’s global appeal.
