World Championship at South Street Seaport, NYC

[Wayne Komer]

World Championship at South Street Seaport

August 9, 2016

A press release today said that the World Chess Championship will be held in New York City in the Fulton Fish Market area:

Peter Doggers in chess.com

The world championship match between GMs Magnus Carlsen and Sergey Karjakin will be held in the South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan. “There was never any doubt about New York,” said Andrew Murray-Watson, communications director of Agon.

Ending months of speculations, the intended location for the FIDE World Championship has finally been confirmed. It will be New York after all.

The match between reigning world champion Carlsen (25) and challenger Karjakin (26) will be held November 11-30 in the Fulton Market Building in the South Street Seaport in Manhattan. This was announced today by Agon, the company that holds the commercial rights of the world championship cycle.

The actual venue will be the historic Fulton Market building, located on the East River in Lower Manhattan, close to the Brooklyn Bridge. It is one of many restored 19th-century buildings in the area. A five-minute walk from Wall Street, the venue will feature “dedicated spectator and VIP lounges with panoramic views of the Brooklyn Bridge as well as retail space, a restaurant, TV studios and much more,” according to the press release.

For full details see:

https://www.chess.com/news/carlsen-k...manhattan-1866

[Wayne Komer]

Re: World Championship at South Street Seaport, NYC

World Championship at South Street Seaport

August 9, 2016

Stephen Moss, in The Guardian:

The New York match will cost an estimated $6m (£4.6m) to stage, with the two players competing for a prize of more than €1m (£850,000). The winner of the match takes 60% of the prize fund, while the loser gets 40%.

A source close to Agon said an announcement on sponsorship would be made by the end of the month, but that two seven-figure sponsors were already on board. Getting big-name backers to commit in the long term will be crucial in putting chess on a par with other sports.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...agnus-carlsen?
CMP=share_btn_tw

Chess-news.ru takes up the story and has photos of the venue:

http://chess-news.ru/node/21895

It says that after the failure of Nakamura and Caruana to become challengers, Karjakin, the candidate was seen as far less marketable to a U.S. audience and sponsors. As a Ukrainian who switched his citizenship to Russia in 2009 and supported the annexation of Crimea in 2014, he could not be further from the all-American candidate the organisers hoped for.

[Hugh Brodie]

Re: World Championship at South Street Seaport, NYC

A large part of the South Street Seaport area was undergoing renovations when I was there in May. Heavily damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the major structure(s) won't be completed until 2017. I wonder what they have in mind for a playing site. (OK - I see now - it will be in the Fultun Market building. It is also under renovation - to open as a movie complex in October. I guess they could use a cinema for the match)

[Wayne Komer]

Re: World Championship at South Street Seaport, NYC

World Championship at South Street Seaport

September 30, 2016

Ticket Prices

The cost of tickets for the World Chess Championship Match at the Fulton Market Building in New York City has been released:

http://www.ticketfly.com/venue/24715

Spectators inside the Fulton Market Building will enjoy a luxurious purpose build auditorium where they will be able to follow the match in supreme comfort, discuss the action with fellow chess fans, enjoy game analysis by top players as well as taking advantage of our chess shop and cafeteria.

1. Tournament Pass for Nov. 11 – Nov. 28

Spectator's Lounge - Multiple Access Tournament Pass $350
Multiple Access for the tournament in the Spectators' Lounge. Tournament passes are non transferable. ***DOES NOT INCLUDE OPENING AND FINAL ROUND***

VIP Lounge - Full Access Tournament Pass $3000
Full Access for the entire tournament from the VIP Lounge. Tournament passes are non transferable. Minors under 16 years shall be accompanied by adults. ***THIS PACKAGE INCLUDES ADMISSION TO OPENING AND FINAL ROUND (final round date subject to change)***

2. Spectator's Lounge - 1 Day Pass $100

Single day pass. Access to the Spectators' Lounge on Opening Round on Nov 11.

3. Spectator's Lounge - 1 Day Pass $75

Single pass. 1 Day Access to the Spectators' Lounge

4. Spectator's Lounge - 1 Day Family Pass $150

1 Day Access to the Spectators' Lounge for group of 4 (up to 2 adults and 2 kids). You will receive 1 ticket - families must arrive together.

5. VIP Lounge - 1 Day Pass $150

Single pass. 1 Day Access to the VIP Lounge. Minors under 16 years shall be accompanied by adults.

6. Spectator's Lounge - 1 Day Pass $150

Single pass. Access to the Spectators' Lounge during the Last Round (**event date subject to change according to event score)
_________

Benefits Spectator's Lounge Guests:

* Excellent view of players
* Live commentary by the world’s best Grandmasters
* Access to post-game press conferences
* Access to “Chess Café”
* Opportunity to take part in blitz tournaments and others
* Autograph sessions
* Kids Chess Classes (ages 7-10)

Benefits for VIP guests:

* Separate VIP elevator and entrance
* Best view of the players’ area
* Game commentary by the world’s top Grandmasters
* Opportunity to take part in private blitz tournaments w/ top Grandmasters
* VIP wait service
* Complimentary snacks + open bar
* Broadcasting screens
* VIP Gift Pack (1 per VIP pass)
* Virtual Reality broadcast experience
* Autograph sessions