The Sligo Chess & Culture Festival is delighted to announce that the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Sligo will be the official venue partner for the 2027 festival.
Taking place from 29 January to 7 February 2027, the festival will make its debut at the Radisson Blu, marking an exciting new chapter in the continued growth of Ireland’s premier international chess festival.
Situated on the shores of Sligo Bay and overlooking the iconic Knocknarea mountain, the Radisson Blu provides an outstanding setting for players, spectators, and visitors alike. The hotel’s spacious conference facilities, comfortable accommodation, leisure amenities, and convenient location just minutes from Sligo town make it an ideal home for our expanding festival.
The move to the Radisson Blu reflects the continued growth of the festival. Following record participation in 2026, the additional event space will allow us to enhance the playing experience while continuing to expand the festival’s programme of chess, culture, and community activities.
Festival Director Craig DuBose said:
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Sligo for 2027. From the moment we visited the hotel, we knew it offered everything we were looking for—a fantastic playing venue, excellent accommodation, and an incredible location overlooking Sligo Bay. It provides a wonderful base not only for our chess events, but also for exploring everything that makes Sligo such a special place to visit.”
The 2027 festival will once again feature four tournaments:
- Weekender (29–31 January)
- 9-Round Open (1–7 February)
- Blitz Open (1 February)
- Rapid Open (6 February)
Alongside world-class chess, visitors can look forward to a wide range of cultural and social activities celebrating the best of County Sligo, from traditional music and local cuisine to outdoor adventures along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing more information about the Radisson Blu, the festival programme, accommodation options, and everything visitors can expect from the 2027 Sligo Chess & Culture Festival.
We look forward to welcoming players and visitors from around the world to our new home in January 2027.