The Ethnosport Culture Festival, organized by the World Ethnosport Union, will take place in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, from November 19 to 28, 2026, as part of Riyadh Season. Bringing together traditional sports, games, cuisines, and cultural performances from different regions of the world, the festival will serve as an international meeting point for intercultural exchange.
The World Ethnosport Union continues to expand its international activities in traditional sports and games through events organized across different regions. Bringing together 56 institutional members from 34 countries across five continents, the Union remains committed to promoting international recognition of traditional sports and creating shared platforms where different cultures can meet. Hosting the Ethnosport Culture Festival in Riyadh will mark another milestone in the Union's growing global activities.
An International Gathering of Traditional Cultures: Ethnosport Culture Festival
Organized by the World Ethnosport Union since 2016, the Ethnosport Culture Festival brings together traditional sports, games, and cultural values from different countries on a shared platform. Welcoming athletes, cultural representatives, and visitors from various regions of the world each year, the festival offers a multifaceted cultural experience featuring traditional sports competitions, handicrafts, international cuisines, children's games, music, and dance performances.
Held in Türkiye, the festival has become one of the world's leading platforms for promoting traditional cultures, distinguished by its international participation and large visitor numbers. The 9th edition of the Ethnosport Culture Festival will take place in Istanbul from May 27 to 30, 2027.
Global Cooperation for Traditional Sports
The World Ethnosport Union continues its activities across different regions to promote, preserve, and expand the international reach of traditional sports and cultural values. Ethnosport Forums, the International Ethnosport Festival held in Uzbekistan, the World Nomad Games, and events organized by member institutions in various countries are among the key examples of these efforts.
From Baku to St. Petersburg and from Khiva to Astana, these international gatherings bring together federations, institutions, and cultural representatives on shared platforms, contributing to the global development of traditional sports. Building on this international experience and continuing to expand its activities into new regions, the World Ethnosport Union is now preparing to bring the world's traditions together under one roof in Riyadh through the Ethnosport Culture Festival.
The World's Traditions Will Come Together in Riyadh
The World Ethnosport Union is adding a new chapter to its international events with the Riyadh edition of the Ethnosport Culture Festival. Taking place from November 19 to 28, 2026, as part of Riyadh Season, the festival will bring traditional sports, games, and cultural values from around the world to Saudi Arabia under the motto "The World's Traditions Are Here in Riyadh."
Alongside traditional sports and games, international cuisines, coffee traditions from different regions, traditional dances, and musical performances will be among the festival's highlights.
Organized as part of Riyadh Season, the festival will bring together the cultural traditions of different societies on an international platform, helping traditional values reach wider audiences. As a continuation of this partnership, the 2027 Ethnosport Culture Festival in Istanbul will also be held with Riyadh Season as its main sponsor. The cultural gathering in Riyadh will thus continue in Istanbul, strengthening international cooperation between the two cities through traditional sports and cultural values.
The Ethnosport Culture Festival will welcome visitors in Riyadh from November 19 to 28, 2026, bringing together traditions from around the world through sports, culture, and shared experiences.
