A new international organisation for traditional sports, Ethnosports 2027, was announced at the 8th Ethnosport Forum in Antalya from 3 to 5 April 2026. The organisation centres on a rotating global event that brings nations together through their traditional sporting disciplines.
Athletes from different countries will compete alongside one another under the Ethnosports 2027 framework. The event is designed to support both competitive sport and cultural exchange, with each host nation presenting its own heritage sports to an international field of participants and spectators.
The Forum in Antalya marked the first time the full plan for Ethnosports 2027 was set out in public. The initiative positions traditional sports as a category worthy of structured international organisation, with a long-term programme to build global participation and recognition.
A new global cycle for traditional sports
Designed to operate on a four-year cycle, Ethnosports 2027 will be hosted by a different country each time, ensuring global participation and cultural diversity at its core. This structure reflects a commitment to inclusivity and continuity, creating a sustainable international calendar dedicated exclusively to traditional sports.
The initiative aims to elevate traditional sports beyond local boundaries, transforming them into a globally recognised and respected field. By creating a unified platform, Ethnosports 2027 will strengthen the visibility of cultural heritage while fostering meaningful connections between nations.
“Ethnosports 2027 represents a historic turning point. It will carry traditional sports beyond their local contexts and establish them as a respected global movement with shared values and standards,” said Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, President for World Ethnosport Confederation. “This initiative marks the beginning of a concrete and coordinated international effort. We must urgently move from dialogue to action.” 
Global participation signals strong momentum
The 8th Ethnosport Forum in Antalya brought together participants from 60 countries, including 14 sports ministers, alongside international sports leaders, government representatives and cultural heritage ambassadors. While the Forum itself served as a platform for dialogue, its most lasting impact lies in the introduction of Ethnosports 2027 as a unifying global project.
This broad international participation reflects growing recognition of traditional sports as a powerful vehicle for cultural preservation and global cooperation. Ethnosports 2027 builds on this momentum by offering a structured and recurring platform where these values can be realised at scale.
Erdoğan underscored the deeper mission behind the initiative: “Traditional sports are not only physical activities. They are living expressions of identity, history and shared human values. Through Ethnosports 2027, we are creating a space where these values can thrive together on a global level. It will soon become a global brand in traditional sports.”
A shared global story for the future
Ethnosports 2027 is positioned as more than a sporting event, it is a collaborative global journey. By bringing together diverse cultures under a common vision, the initiative aims to strengthen dialogue, mutual understanding and long-term partnerships across regions.
As preparations begin for its first edition, the call for international cooperation continues to grow stronger. Countries, institutions and communities are invited to contribute to shaping a shared future rooted in cultural heritage and collective progress.
