IGU Hosts Sports Industry Forum Istanbul 2026: The Future of the Sports Industry Examined in Its Entirety

"Sports Industry Forum Istanbul 2026," organized by Turkish Meetups and hosted by Istanbul Gelisim University, was held to a large and enthusiastic audience as a wide-ranging event bringing together different disciplines of the sports industry. The forum emphasized that sport is not only an on-field arena of competition, but a growing global industry spanning economics, law, management, marketing, and technology, and brought sector professionals and students together under one roof. The event was attended by IGU Rector Prof. Dr. Bahri Şahin and IGU Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Serdar Egeli. Expert speakers addressed a wide range of critical topics including sustainable marketing strategies, brand positioning, sports management, financial sustainability, sports law, and regulations.

Rector Prof. Dr. Bahri Şahin: “Sport Is an Interdisciplinary Ecosystem”

Speaking at the event, IGU Rector Prof. Dr. Bahri Şahin drew attention to the multidimensional nature of sport and stressed the importance of an academic approach. Prof. Dr. Şahin offered the following assessment:

“When we think of sport, what typically comes to mind is on-field performance. But behind sport lies a much broader structure: its economic dimension, legal processes, and management and organizational structure are all integral parts of it. Each of these areas is of great importance for the sustainability of sport.”

Prof. Dr. Şahin also addressed the university's academic structure, drawing attention to its development in sport sciences:

“Our Faculty of Sports Sciences has a strong foundation. What started as a School of Physical Education and Sports has grown over time into a full faculty with an established institutional identity. Through our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, we take a holistic approach to sport education.”

The Integrated Power of Science, Technology, and Sport at IGU

Speaking on the university’s overall development, Prof. Dr. Şahin continued:

“The journey that began in 2008 has today evolved into a strong multi-faculty academic structure. Our placement in the upper tiers of the QS rankings among foundation universities is the most concrete indicator of our research quality. We place special importance on sports technologies at our university. By bringing together engineering and sport sciences, we carry out innovative work in this field. We are also developing important projects in health technologies and sports technologies. Additionally, our center for art and design supports the aesthetic and innovative dimensions of sport. Because sport is not only a physical domain; it is also deeply intertwined with art and design. The convergence of these disciplines produces a sport culture that is stronger both technically and aesthetically.”

“Sport Is Now a Global Strategic Arena”

Economist Tuğba Gider, who delivered the forum's opening remarks, drew attention to the transformation of the sports industry:

“Today we have come together not merely for an event, but to share a common vision for the future of sport. Because sport is no longer just a game played on a field; it is also a major economy, a strategic domain, and a powerful management discipline. As clubs become brands and athletes become assets in a rapidly growing global sports industry, competition has shifted from the pitch to the management arena. Türkiye, with its young population and strong potential, has the capacity to secure an important place in this transformation; what matters is channeling this potential into added value through the right strategies.”

All Dimensions of the Sports Industry Examined

The sessions held as part of the forum examined the sports industry from multiple perspectives. The program's key topics and speakers were as follows:

In the Sports Management and Institutional Structures session, moderated by Prof. Bilge Donuk, General Manager of Spor İstanbul and a member of the Basketball Federation Board of Directors, speakers including Sports Tourism Association President Nida Kiraz and IBB Sports Club Secretary General Erdem Aslanoğlu assessed the institutional structure of sport.

In the Sustainable Sports Marketing Strategies and Brand Positioning session, moderated by TBS Management & Investment Growth Partner Tunç Berkman, speakers including Tankut Turnaoğlu from the European Olympic Committee, Sahibinden.com Chief Marketing Officer Nazım Erdoğan, and Esports Federation Acting President Bora Koçyiğit discussed the future of sports brands.

In the Sports Law, Regulations, and Risk Management session, moderated by CAS & Euroleague Dispute Resolution Centre attorney Lawyer Emin Özkurt, Lawyer Dr. Gürkan Özocak and Lawyer Assoc. Prof. Ümit Orhan assessed the legal dimensions of sport.

In the Sports Economics and Financial Sustainability session, moderated by Economist and Turkish Meetups Founder Tuğba Gider, speakers including CLIMBER BC, İHKİB Board Member Mithat Samsama, Emlak Konut GYO Vice General Manager Senior Architect Gökhan Yüksel, Ata Yatırım Vice General Manager Cemal Demirtaş, and Istanbul University Faculty of Business, Finance Department faculty member Dr. Emir Ofluoğlu offered important assessments on the future of the sports economy.

A Strong Academic Contribution to the Sports Industry from IGU: In Partnership with Turkish Meetups

The forum, which attracted strong interest and participation, demonstrated that the sports industry is not confined to on-field performance but is an ecosystem that evolves in conjunction with numerous disciplines including economics, law, management, and technology. In this context, Istanbul Gelisim University stood at the center of the event with its academic strength, interdisciplinary approach, and contributions to the sector.

Istanbul Gelisim University once again underscored its position as one of the key institutions shaping the future of the sports industry, drawing on its strong academic structure in sport sciences, its national and international achievements, and its innovative educational model.