News
TURKEY – SPORTS & EVENTS TÜRKIYE CLOSES ITS FIRST EDITION IN ANTALYA WITH 1,136 PRE-SCHEDULED MEETINGS
In an era where connecting is no longer just about sitting around a table, but about living shared experiences, Antalya became the meeting point for international sports tourism for four days. The first edition of Sports & Events Türkiye gathered 120 participants from 27 countries from May 31 to June 3, in a format that combined 1-on-1 meetings, sports activities, technical visits, and destination experiences.
Antalya was the chosen stage to open a new chapter within the Sports & Events universe. After consolidating its European format, the brand debuted its first regional edition in Turkey with a very clear proposal: to connect the country’s local supply with international buyers through pre-scheduled meetings, technical visits, sports activities, and destination experiences.
The first edition of Sports & Events Türkiye was held from May 31 to June 3, 2026, and brought together 120 participants from 27 countries, including 49 international buyers and 45 Turkish suppliers. In total, 1,136 pre-scheduled 1-on-1 meetings took place—a figure that confirms the international market’s interest in Turkey as a destination for sports events, training camps, active incentive trips, and sports-related experiences.
The event also recorded 599 messages exchanged, 521 group chat interactions, and 1,436 contacts scanned. These figures reflect how networking went far beyond the formal meeting schedule, extending into the social spaces, activities, and casual moments of the program.
A Format Focused on Turkish Suppliers and International Buyers
The main feature of this first edition was its local-global focus. Unlike other broader gatherings, Sports & Events Türkiye was designed as a platform for Turkish suppliers to present their offerings to international buyers specializing in the sports and events sector.
The format maintained a B2B workshop structure, with 1-on-1 meetings at the Nirvana Cosmopolitan Hotel convention center, but also incorporated an experiential program designed to showcase the true potential of the destination. It was not just about explaining what Antalya can offer, but about leading participants to experience it firsthand: sports facilities, hotels, outdoor routes, event spaces, local gastronomy, and activities tied to the region.
The Nirvana Cosmopolitan Hotel served as the main venue for the gathering. Most of the meetings, lunches, dinners, and activities were held there, making it the hub for buyers, suppliers, and participating entities throughout the four days of the program. Regnum The Crown provided the perfect finishing touch, hosting the event’s farewell gala on its magnificent terrace.
Antalya as a Sports and Experiential Destination
Beyond the numbers, the first edition of Sports & Events Türkiye served as a showcase for Antalya’s positioning within sports tourism. The city combines hotel infrastructure, sports facilities, climate, coastline, heritage, and a range of activities that allow for the design of professional programs with a high experiential component.
The event perfectly demonstrated this double dimension: on one hand, the destination’s capacity to host B2B meetings and corporate programs; on the other, its potential to generate active experiences linked to sports, nature, culture, and gastronomy.
Activities and Venues Involved
| Venue | Activity |
| Akra Hotel | Bicycle & Running |
| Antalya City | Antalya City Tour – Old Town |
| Cosmos Sports Center | Basketball, Padel & Pickleball |
| Cosmos Theatre | Welcome Night Show |
| Gloria Golf Club | Golf |
| Mardan Stadium, Gloria Sports Arena, Fanatic, Papillon & Calista pitches | Technical visits |
| Megasaray Club Belek | River Canoe & Tennis |
| Pedalia Event @Serik | Cycling |
| Regnum | Golf & Padel |
| Rixos Land Of Legends | Theme Park |