Bottom line: if you want to play, Stockholm is the stronger pick because its Rilton Cup has amateur sections. If you want to watch elite chess, Oslo is the pick, because Norway Chess is a spectator event, with a separate open alongside it.
Stockholm: the Rilton Cup
The Rilton Cup runs over the new year at Scandic Continental. The 54th edition runs 27 December 2026–5 January 2027. The main Cup needs roughly 2200 Elo, but amateurs can enter the Rilton U2200, the Rilton Open or the U1800 section. The Arlanda Express takes about 18–20 minutes from the airport to Stockholm Central. See the Stockholm guide for more.
Because the Cup runs over the holidays, it suits a long trip with family or a partner, but it also means short winter days and cold weather, so plan indoor rest days.
Oslo: Norway Chess and the Norway Chess Open
Norway Chess is an invitational elite event, so you go as a spectator. The 2026 edition ran 25 May–5 June in Oslo, after 13 years in Stavanger, and the 2027 host city and dates have not been announced. Alongside it, the separate Norway Chess Open ran as a 7-round FIDE-rated event open to all levels, with a maximum of 72 players per tournament, in two blocks (23–29 May and 1–7 June 2026) at The Good Knight chess bar. From Oslo Airport Gardermoen, the Flytoget express takes about 19 minutes to Oslo S. See the Oslo guide for more.
For rest days, the Munch Museum, the roof of the Oslo Opera House and the Fram Museum are all easy to reach, and the early-summer light makes long evenings possible.
Side by side
| Stockholm | Oslo | |
|---|---|---|
| Main event | Rilton Cup (new year) | Norway Chess (late May/June) |
| Can amateurs play? | Yes, in the U2200, Open and U1800 sections | Yes, in the separate Norway Chess Open |
| Season | Winter, over the holidays | Early summer |
| Next dates | 27 Dec 2026–5 Jan 2027 | 2027 not yet announced |
| Airport to city | Arlanda Express, about 18–20 min | Flytoget, about 19 min |
Who should pick which
Pick Stockholm if you want a long, amateur-friendly tournament over the holidays. Pick Oslo if you want to see world-class players in the early summer, and perhaps play the Open alongside. In both cases, check the official sites for the next dates before booking, since neither has announced them yet.
Compare both destination guides, then pick based on whether you want to play or watch.
Scandinavia destination guides