BETBY Announces Landmark ICE Barcelona 2026 Activation with Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura and Levy Rozman

BETBY, the Tier-1 B2B sportsbook supplier, has revealed further details of its headline ICE Barcelona 2026 activation, set to become one of the most memorable moments at one of the world’s leading iGaming exhibitions.

Following December’s announcement that Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura and Levy Rozman (GothamChess) will appear together publicly in Europe for the first time, BETBY has now confirmed a series of exclusive on-stage events, transforming the activation into a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The highlight will be an unprecedented blindfold exhibition match between Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, a historic encounter that has never before taken place. The spectacle will be brought to life by Levy Rozman, whose distinctive commentary style has made him the world’s most influential chess entertainer. His live play-by-play will guide the audience through the extraordinary challenge of watching two of the greatest minds in chess compete without sight of the board.

In addition to the blindfold match, BETBY will host interactive exhibition games, giving ICE delegates the rare opportunity to sit across the board from the global chess icons. These matches will combine high-level entertainment with genuine competitive insight, offering attendees a firsthand experience of elite decision-making under pressure.

The activation will also feature a fireside chat with Carlsen, Nakamura and Rozman. In this informal, unscripted discussion, the trio will explore themes such as strategic thinking, precision, mental discipline, and the evolution of chess as both a sport and a digital entertainment phenomenon. With Levy steering the conversation in his trademark energetic style, attendees can expect deep insights, unexpected moments, and plenty of personality.

These elements highlight the significance of BETBY’s activation, which forms the centrepiece of the supplier’s global brand campaign, Magnus Carlsen: Leaders Choose Leaders. The campaign is built around the idea that true leaders seek out excellence, a message embodied in bringing together three of the most influential figures in modern chess.

“We wanted to create something truly unforgettable for ICE Barcelona, and this lineup of events achieves exactly that,” said Pierre Pulis, Marketing Director at BETBY. “An exhibition blindfold match between Magnus and Hikaru is the kind of moment you can hardly imagine seeing, and that’s exactly what we wanted to provide to ICE delegates. Coupled with Levy’s unmatched ability to bring emotion and clarity to the game, this will be a historic experience not just for chess fans, but for the entire iGaming community.”

The activation will take place at 12:00pm on Day 2 (20 January) at BETBY’s Stand 5K20 in Fira Barcelona Gran Via.

BETBY invites all ICE delegates, chess enthusiasts, and industry professionals to witness this groundbreaking showcase, where elite talent, strategy, and entertainment converge.