Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has become an investor in a new global chess tour backed by Norway Chess. The 25-year-old footballer is supporting the launch of the Total Chess World Championship Tour, which will crown world champions across three chess disciplines - fast classic, rapid, and blitz.

The tour will feature four annual tournaments in different cities, with a minimum prize pool of $2.7 million (£2 million) per season. The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is backing the initiative, calling it "one of the most significant developments in modern chess." A pilot tournament is scheduled for this autumn to test the format.

Haaland, who compares chess to football, believes the new tour can elevate chess as a spectator sport. "You have to think quickly, trust your instincts and think several moves ahead," he told FIDE's website. The Norwegian striker invested because he sees potential for chess to grow its audience worldwide, bringing strategic thinking to a broader sports audience.