Promoting Turkey's Sports Tourism with World Cup Participation

The Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) is introducing the attractions of Turkish sports culture and sports tourism, which have garnered renewed attention following the Turkish national team's qualification for the 2026 World Cup for the first time in 24 years. In Turkey, football is deeply ingrained as a national sport, with prestigious clubs in Istanbul and the stadiums that hosted the 'Miracle of Istanbul' captivating football fans. Furthermore, diverse sports cultures thrive, including women's volleyball, which has seen international success in recent years, and oil wrestling, a traditional sport with over 650 years of history. Sports tourism that combines visits to historical, cultural, and natural sites—such as strolling through Istanbul's historic districts or hot air ballooning in Cappadocia—is a major attraction for visitors to Turkey.