The World Ethnosport Union will convene the 8th Ethnosport Forum in Antalya, Türkiye, from April 3–5, 2026, in line with its mission of reviving traditional sports. Built upon the principles of tradition, respect, solidarity and peace, the Forum aims to contribute to cultural continuity while strengthening the global position of traditional sports.
This year’s edition will focus on shaping the vision of “Ethnosports 2027” a comprehensive global initiative designed to bring traditional sports and games to an international multi-sport platform.
High-Level International Participation
The Forum will host more than 100 high-level participants, including over 15 Ministers of Sports and Culture, alongside international delegations, representatives of member federations, academics and traditional sports practitioners.
With its broad international participation, the Forum is expected to serve as a key platform for dialogue, cooperation and strategic planning in the field of traditional sports.
Main Agenda: Ethnosports 2027
A central focus of the Forum will be “Ethnosports 2027,” a large-scale global sports event aiming to unite traditional athletes from different regions within a single competitive framework.
The initiative seeks to institutionalize traditional sports and games in line with international standards, while enhancing their global visibility and cultural impact. Key topics such as organizational structure, governance models, competition systems, marketing strategies and operational planning will be discussed throughout the Forum.
Program Highlights
The two-day program will feature a series of panels, sessions and high-level meetings addressing the future of traditional sports.
On April 4, the Forum will begin with a keynote speech on the global impact of multi-sport organizations. This will be followed by the High-Level Ministerial Panel titled “Traditional Sports on the Global Stage,” chaired by the President of the World Ethnosport Union, Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan.
In the afternoon, parallel sessions will be held on “Organization and Governance,” “Sports and Competition Systems,” and “Marketing and Communication.” The day will conclude with a World Ethnosport Union members’ meeting and a gala dinner.
On April 5, the program will continue with a Communication Panel, followed by the announcement of the Ethnosports 2027 Forum Declaration under the title “Global Call for Tradition.”
The Forum will culminate in the Traditional Sports Awards Ceremony, where individuals and institutions contributing to traditional sports will be honored across multiple categories. The event will conclude with closing remarks and a cultural program for participants in Antalya.
