Istanbul - Host City

SportAccord confirms Istanbul as Host City for 2025 Convention

[Source: SportAccord] SportAccord is delighted to announce that Istanbul, Türkiye, will host the SportAccord Convention 2025 from 9 to 12 June.

With the theme "Shaping the future of sport in a changing world”, the world’s most influential sports industry gathering will bring together key decision-makers to explore the evolving sports landscape and drive meaningful discussions on its future.

The SportAccord Convention is a unique gathering that provides sports business leaders access to all International Federations, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), future Olympic Games organisers, other multi-sport event organisers, and leading sport-related international associations, all in one location.

This year’s edition is particularly important, coming at a crucial moment of transition within the Olympic Movement and against the backdrop of significant geopolitical developments impacting the global sports industry.

Istanbul: a leading hub for global sport

The SportAccord Convention 2025 also marks a return to Türkiye, over ten years after the highly successful 2014 edition in Belek, Antalya. Spanning the two continents of Europe and Asia, Istanbul epitomises the event’s global significance, combining rich cultural heritage, world-class infrastructure and a pivotal role in international sport.

The award-winning Istanbul Congress Center (ICC) will host this year’s flagship event, offering state-of-the-art facilities for an exceptional delegate experience.

With Istanbul also set to host the 2027 European Games, bringing the world’s leading sports decision-makers to the city in 2025 will further solidify its position as a premier destination for major sporting events. The SportAccord Convention 2025 will serve as a key platform for stakeholders to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of global sport, while laying the groundwork for Türkiye’s continued sporting ambitions.

An unmissable opportunity for the global sports community

The SportAccord Convention 2025 will offer a unique platform for leaders in sport, business and governance to strengthen connections, exchange fresh perspectives and engage in high-level discussions on the future of sport. Full details of the conference programme will be announced soon, and delegate registration will open shortly.

Organisations looking to renew or establish partnerships with the SportAccord Convention, or secure coveted exhibition space next to the popular SportAccord Café, are encouraged to engage early.

For more details about the SportAccord Convention 2025 in Istanbul, please visit our event website sportaccord.sport.

EOC plans to be “on top of” AI developments by Istanbul 2027

EOC President Spyros Capralos and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu at the signing of the MoU

On the day of signing an MoU with the hosts of the Istanbul 2027 European Games, Spyros Capralos, President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) highlighted AI as a “useful tool” for delivery of the mega event in Europe’s largest city.

He also highlighted the economic success of the previous edition of the Games, with talks with prospective hosts for 2031 set to begin soon.

“We know that artificial intelligence is an area which brings exciting opportunities and, in line with the Olympic artificial intelligence agenda, we'll explore how it can help us to optimise plans for the 2027 European Games,” said Capralos.

“AI is something that's new in our world and I think that there are many developments in sport, but also developments in other in other areas,” he told Host City during a press conference.

“Every Games has its challenges, and AI could be an extremely useful tool to help ensure efficient logistical planning in areas such as accommodation, transportation.”

The innovations that AI can bring to sport will be high on the agenda of the EOC General Assembly in Bucharest in June, he said.

“I think that going forward in the next three years, there are going to be lots of developments and we'll be on top of that.”

 

Bids for 2031 European Olympic Games

Following the General Assembly, the EOC will enter into discussions with prospective hosts for the 2031 European Olympic Games.

“We've had some cities that have expressed an interest” said Caparalos, referring to parties who were “not ready” to bid for 2027 but are now looking at 2031 instead.

“I think it's what is a very positive on this front is that, before we're looking for a host, we have concluded and agreed with our Turkish friends more than three years before the Games.

“So I think this is very good and it shows the success of the Games”

He cited a Deloitte report evaluating the previous Games in Kraków-Małopolska in 2023, which demonstrated that the benefits far outweighed the costs that associated with the Games.

“In today's world every government and every municipality is afraid of what the taxpayers will say, and from the report of Deloitte, we realised that the positive financial aspect of the Games was such that by sharing this with other cities, that will increase the interest.”

Caparalos also confirmed that Istanbul was building no new permanent venues for 2027 Games, “in line with IOC Agenda 20+5”, and focusing on upgrading existing venues.

“An event of this size relies on people having the expertise to ensure a successful event. Istanbul has proven itself in this respect throughout its hosting of several events; it has the people with the skills, the experience and the passion to host fantastic events.

“The EOC looks forward to working together to deliver a memorable Games, and a Games with innovation at the forefront.”

Capralos’ comments were made in a press conference in Rome marking the occasion of the European Olympic Committees, the Turkish Olympic Committee and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality signing a Memorandum of Understanding for the 2027 European Games.

The Games are likely to take place in the last 10 days of June in 2027, he said, with qualifying opportunities to the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 available in a number of sports.

Istanbul in pole position for 2027 European Games

Atatürk Olympic Stadium

The European Olympic Committees President Spyros Capralos had a positive conversation with the Mayor of Istanbul ahead of their General Assembly there, and said he would be honoured to give Istanbul the opportunity to bid for the Games.

Asked by The Sun journalist Rob Maul who the frontrunning cities are for the next edition in 2027, Capralos said “We are discussing with the National Olympic Committees who are interested. I cannot hide that we had a very pleasant conversation with Mayor of Istanbul. We are also in conversation with others."

Answering a question from Host City, Capralos confirmed that they were engaging with western European destinations, but there is a lack of interest from them in hosting the Games. “It takes two to tango. You can't force them if they don't want to do it," he said. "But if we don't have a candidate from western or northern countries it doesn’t mean that it is not a success."

He cited the success of the 2023 European Games in Poland in inspiring the nation to bid for the Olympic Games, and mentioned that Deloitte will present a study on the financial impact of this edition.

Hasan Arat, Vice President of the Turkish National Olympic Committee and Member of the EOC Executive Committee led Istanbul’s bid for the 2020 Olympic Games. “Look at what has happened here over the last 20 years: the sports and city infrastructure is great; we have everything,” he said. “It is depending on the political leaders to decide if they want to do it. It is a great place to host such an event. This is important for my country and my people.”

Capralos highlighted that Games can be hosted without spending a lot of money. “There is no need to spend money on new facilities. If you (Istanbul) decide to go ahead we'd be honoured to give you this opportunity.”

He also revealed that the European Games could be hosted by more than one nation, citing the example of the European Olympic Festival in January, which was hosted by Italy but with some events taking place in Slovenia. “We do not object and we will be happy to see more countries working together,” he said.

The 2027 European Games will be the fourth edition, following three editions in the east of Europe. The multi-sport European Championships was successfully launched in Glasgow in 2018 followed by Munich 2022, with the host selection process underway for 2026.

“The European Games are not there to replace the European Championships,” said Capralos. They serve as the main event for qualifying athletes for the Olympic Games. It is a very important event, after the Olympic Games. We're not here to stop any other events.”

Other items on the EOC General Assembly agenda include governance improvements such launching the process of appointing a CEO.

Capralos also explained why Russian athletes were not allowed to compete in the 2023 Games, despite the fact that the IOC has paved the way for Russian athletes to participate in Paris 2024. “The decision was made after consulting with government of Poland. It was done for the safety of the athletes, as we could not guarantee the safety of athletes from Russia. We will continue following the IOC recommendations.”

Istanbul to host second Global Esports Games

[Source: Global Esports Federation] The Global Esports Federation celebrates the final months of 2021 with a host of activities, charting numerous firsts for the organization. Excitement among the world’s esports community for the inaugural Global Esports Games kicking off in Singapore on December 17 is at a fever pitch. The inaugural host city prepares to welcome athletes from over 40 countries and territories to compete in person at the historic event in the heart of vibrant Singapore.

Istanbul will host the second edition of the GEF’s flagship event in December 2022. Last week, Paul J. Foster, CEO of the GEF, led a delegation to Istanbul, Turkey to meet with the Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoğlu, as well as leaders from Spor Istanbul, the Turkish Esports Federation, and members of the gaming, esports, education, business, and cultural community. The delegations discussed preparatory work, visited venue options, and explored the limitless opportunities for esports in the country.

The Global Esports Federation presenting a Certificate of Designation to the Mayor of Istanbul, naming Istanbul as the Host City for the Global Esports Games 2022. From L-R: Renay Onur, General Manager, Spor Istanbul; Alper Afsin Ozdemir, Founding President, Turkish Esports Federation (TESFED); Ekrem Imamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul; Paul J. Foster, CEO of the GEF; Ali Kiremitcioğlu, GEF Commission Member; Ramil Aliyev, GEF Board Member; and Rustam Aghasiyev, GEF Director of Global Events.

“For years it has been said that Istanbul stands at the crossroads between Asia and Europe, but it also stands at the very heart of a thriving inclusive youth culture. You literally feel the energy vibrate from within this breathtaking city presenting great opportunities to showcase the future of esports, as we continue to expand our #worldconnected community, said Paul J. Foster, CEO of the GEF. “With a month until the inaugural Singapore 2021 Global Esports Games, we have already started our detailed work with our partners in Turkey. We are proud to welcome Istanbul as host city for the Global Esports Games 2022 as we convene the world’s athletes and players here in a little over a year.”

Interest from the world’s leading cities to host the GEF’s robust event portfolio continues to expand. The GEF Board’s recent decision to call for expressions of interest to host future editions of the Global Esports Games, from 2024 through 2027, has seen unprecedented interest, with nine global cities indicating interest. The GEF’s technical teams are currently assessing the applications, candidacy files, and the GEF Board will select the host cities at the upcoming Board Meeting in Singapore on December 17, 2021.

A delegation from the GEF recently jetted from Los Angeles in September for the first ever Global Esports Tour, to its first live-audience esports tournament in Riyadh in October. The team will continue their journey to Dubai next week for the last stop of the GET this year. Then, the team will lock-focus on the final phase of preparations for the Singapore 2021 Global Esports Games.