Türkiye (often referred to as Turkey) is one of the world's oldest inhabited countries going as far back as the Paleolithic age and as such has supported some of the oldest cultures in the world. Straddling both Europe and Asia, the country has a rich sporting heritage that blends ancient traditions with modern competitive excellence. And no flourishing culture has ever existed without some kind of sport in their recreational forte. Türkiye is no exception.

men wrestling in Türkiye

men wrestling in Türkiye

Football has the strongest following in the country, with passionate supporters filling stadiums for the major Istanbul clubs. Their local team, Galatasaray, played in the UEFA Cup as well as the UEFA Super Cup in 2000. The Turkish national football team came third in both the 2002 FIFA World Cup and 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup.

"Türkiye's football culture is among the most passionate in Europe, with the 2002 World Cup third-place finish representing a landmark moment that elevated Turkish football on the global stage. The atmosphere at matches in Istanbul is legendary and rivals any sporting venue in the world."
— Robert Wood, founder of Topend Sports

Basketball is also quite popular with their men's national team winning silver in both EuroBasket 2001 and 2010 FIBA World Championship. Both of which were hosted by Türkiye. They have also been making waves in the Mediterranean Games where they took multiple gold, silver and bronze medals starting from 1967.

Volleyball is also gathering quite a following, especially among women. Türkiye's women's national team has won silver at the 2003 European Championship and bronze at both the 2011 European Championship and the 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix. They also have been making headway in the Mediterranean Games winning gold, silver and bronze medals since 1987.

Their women's volleyball clubs have also been winning various competitions like Fenerbahçe who took the 2010 FIVB Women's Club World Championship and 2012 CEV Women's Champions League and Vakıfbank who took the 2013 FIVB Women's Club World Championship.

Pro Tip: For an authentic Turkish sporting experience, attend a Süper Lig football match in Istanbul. The derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, known as the Intercontinental Derby, is one of the most intense rivalries in world football with an electric atmosphere.

Turkey has played in the FIFA World Cup twice — 1954 and 2002. Turkey won the third place match against South Korea in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The team is off to the FIFA 2026 World Cup playoffs. They need to defeat Romania and either Slovakia or Kosovo to qualify for the World Cup.

Below are details of sports, sporting events and sports people related to Türkiye. Is there something missing? If you know of something that should be listed here, please let us know.

Popular Sports of Türkiye

  • Football (Soccer), Basketball, Volleyball, Horse racing, Wrestling, Archery, Cycling

Traditional and Regional Sports

  • Yağlı Güreş (Turkish oil wrestling) — One of the oldest continuously held sporting competitions in the world. The annual Kirkpinar tournament near Edirne has been held since 1362 and was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2010. Competitors cover themselves in olive oil and grapple for supremacy in this ancient tradition.
  • Jereed — a traditional Turkish team equestrian sport in which the objective is to throw blunt wooden javelins at players of the opposing team.
"Türkiye's oil wrestling tradition is one of the most remarkable examples of sporting continuity in the world, with the annual Kirkpinar tournament being the oldest continuously held sporting competition dating back over 660 years. This living tradition connects modern Turkish sport to its deep historical roots."
— Sports science expert Robert Wood

Pro Tip: The annual Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival near Edirne, usually held in late June or early July, is a UNESCO-recognized cultural event that offers visitors a unique glimpse into Türkiye's ancient sporting traditions alongside food, music, and cultural celebrations.

Türkiye Sporting Success

  • Turkey won 8 medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics (3 silver and 5 bronze)
  • Turkey won 13 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (2 gold, 2 silver, 9 bronze)
  • Turkey won 8 medals at the Rio 2016 Olympics (1 gold, 3 silver, 4 bronze)
  • Turkey won 3 medals at the London 2012 Olympics (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze)
  • Turkey won 5 medals at the Beijing 2008 Olympics (1 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze)
  • Turkey won 10 medals at the Athens 2004 Olympics (3 gold, 3 silver, 4 bronze)
  • Turkey won 5 medals at the Sydney 2000 Olympics (3 gold and 2 bronze)
  • The Turkish basketball national team were the runners-up at the 2001 FIBA EuroBasket
  • The Turkish basketball national team were the runners-up at the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket

Olympic Wrestling Heritage

Türkiye has a proud Olympic wrestling tradition, earning medals across multiple Games. The country has hosted the FILA Wrestling World Championships five times (1957, 1974, 1994, 1999, and 2011), reflecting its deep connection to the sport.

Türkiye Summer Olympics History →
"Türkiye's Olympic trajectory shows a nation investing heavily in combat sports and weightlifting, disciplines where Turkish athletes have historically excelled and continue to win medals at the highest level. The country's wrestling heritage gives them a natural advantage in these Olympic disciplines."
— Robert J. Wood, PhD, Founder of Topend Sports

Great Athletes from Türkiye

  • Hedo Türkoğlu (basketball)
  • Arda Turan (football)
  • Aslı Çakır Alptekin (running)
  • Halil Mutlu (weightlifting)

Weightlifting Legend

Halil Mutlu, one of Türkiye's greatest athletes, won three consecutive Olympic gold medals in weightlifting (1996, 2000, 2004) and set numerous world records, making him one of the most decorated weightlifters in Olympic history.

Türkiye Olympic Achievements →

Türkiye Sports Trivia

Portugal v Türkiye at Euros 2008

Portugal v Türkiye at Euros 2008

Türkiye at Major Events

Past Sporting Events Hosted in Türkiye

Upcoming Sporting Events in Türkiye

2027 European Games

Istanbul will host the 2027 European Games, bringing together athletes from across Europe for a multi-sport event. This continues Türkiye's tradition of hosting major international sporting competitions.

European Games History →

Annual Sporting Events Held in Türkiye

  • The Istanbul Marathon
  • The Turkish Grand Prix
  • The Turkish Cup
  • The Turkish Airlines Open

Sporting Facilities in Türkiye

  • Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul
  • Beşiktaş Stadium, Istanbul