The World Ethnosport Union will host the 8th Ethnosport Forum in Antalya, Turkey, from 3–5 April 2026 with the goal of shaping the future of traditional sports and preserving cultural heritage. This globally significant event will serve as a platform for taking strategic steps toward the sustainability of ethnosports within the framework of the principles of tradition, respect, solidarity and peace.
Strategic Steps for the Revival of Traditional Sports
During the forum, various panels will be organized under the theme “Reviving Traditional Sports”. Experts, including academicians, federation representatives, and researchers, will discuss topics such as the potential for international cooperation in traditional sports, financial sustainability, and media strategies. Furthermore, solutions for expanding traditional sports and increasing the visibility of awards and competitions will be explored.
Ethnosports 2027
Ethnosports 2027 is a comprehensive event planned to bring together traditional sports and games in a multi-sport format on an international scale. The goal is to enhance cultural interaction by uniting ancestral sports from different regions under one roof and to strengthen awareness of common heritage.
One of the highlights of the Forum will be “Ethnosports 2027”. Topics to be covered in this context include:
Global Participation on a Wide Scale
Representatives from 50 institutional members of the World Ethnosport Union across 29 countries will participate in the 8th Ethnosport Forum. Additionally, numerous government officials, federation representatives, academics, and traditional sports researchers will gather in Antalya.
This broad participation will not only make the forum a platform for consultation but also ensure it becomes a powerful space for shaping the global future of traditional sports.
Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan to Address Participants at the Forum Opening
The 8th Ethnosport Forum will open with a speech by the President of the World Ethnosport Union, Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan. Following the opening remarks, the forum will officially begin with the Ministers' Panel, where high-ranking government officials will gather. Over the course of two days, the forum will host sessions, panels, and strategic meetings that will shed light on the future of traditional sports.
World Ethnosport Union Continues to Preserve Cultural Heritage
Since its establishment, the World Ethnosport Union has been committed to preserving the deep-rooted identity of traditional sports and games, fostering intercultural interaction, and expanding their global recognition. Driven by respect for humanity's shared values, the Union aims to refresh societal memory through traditional sports and games while ensuring that this cultural heritage is passed on to future generations. The 8th Ethnosport Forum will serve as a critical platform for determining short, medium and long-term strategies for the future of traditional sports.
