2026 Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling: Date, Schedule & Top Favorites

The countdown has officially begun for the highly anticipated 665th Traditional Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Championship, and the contenders for the prestigious golden belt have finally emerged. Coordinated by the Edirne Municipality and the Turkish Traditional Wrestling Federation (TGGF), this legendary organization will take place at the historic Sarayiçi Er Meydanı between July 3 and July 5, 2026. Wrestling enthusiasts have already filled the Biletix queues as official ticket sales went live. With this year’s grand prize reaching a record-breaking 1 million 655 thousand TL, the psychological and physical battle on the field is bound to reach historic peaks.

When is the 2026 Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Championship? Full Schedule and Favorites

Widely considered the Olympics of the wrestling world and proudly inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Historical Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Championship celebrates its 665th anniversary in 2026. While the overarching cultural festival runs from June 29 to July 5, the high-stakes, bone-crushing top-tier (Başpehlivanlık) bouts will officially light up the Edirne Sarayiçi arena on July 3-4-5, 2026. According to official announcements, stadium entry will be completely free of charge to the public on Friday, July 3rd, while the intense weekend finals will be broadcast live nationwide for fans unable to attend the event in person.

The Finalized Roster: Who Made the Cut After the CW Enerji League?

This year, the entry into the sacred grassy field was strictly gated by seasonal performance data accumulated across grueling league stages. Following the definitive Sekapark Golden Belt Oil Wrestling tournament held in Kocaeli, the final 8 additional master wrestlers (Başpehlivan) secured their official 2026 Kırkpınar visas. Demonstrating elite endurance and clutching late-season points to seal their names into the Er Meydanı registry, standout athletes such as Onur Susuz, Süleyman Başar, Tanju Gemici, Serhat Elvan, Hasan Güzeller, Ali Yanatma, Tolga Turan, and Ünal Karaman are locked in as this year’s most volatile wildcard contenders capable of pulling major upsets.

Top Contenders and Favorites for the 2026 Kırkpınar Golden Belt

The defending champion of the previous season, Orhan Okulu, steps onto the field with a massive target on his back as he seeks to guard his golden belt title. However, the path to eternal glory in 2026 is steeper than ever. The primary threat comes from the phenomenal breakout run of Feyzullah Aktürk, who completely dominated the 2026 CW Enerji Turkish Oil Wrestling League season. Having claimed consecutive top-podium finishes across major tournament tracks including Şahinbey, Manavgat, Yuntdağı, and Sekapark, he enters the 665th Kırkpınar as the undisputed, prime favorite to capture the crown.

Beyond the immediate frontrunners, a deep pool of legendary active wrestlers is eyeing the podium with intense preparation:

• Ali Gürbüz: A living legend of the sport who carries a massive historic legacy, this seasoned master returns with his eyes fixed firmly on his ultimate career goal of securing a permanent golden belt.
• İsmail Balaban: Famously nicknamed the “Yellow Storm,” this fan-favorite star brings unparalleled agility, explosive speed, and an aggressive tactical style that can instantly turn the tables at Sarayiçi.
• Yusuf Can Zeybek: A dominant force over recent years, his modern wrestling intellect and superb conditioning make him an undeniable threat for the final match.
• Mustafa Taş: Proving his elite form early in the season with a magnificent victory at the Şahinbey tournament, this young and highly dynamic powerhouse aims straight for the absolute peak this year.
• Enes Doğan: Turning heads across the industry with a stellar championship victory at the Kepez Oil Wrestling event, he enters Edirne with serious podium momentum.
• Ali İhsan Batmaz: After capturing a third-place finish at Kırkpınar last year and maintaining a highly competitive run at Sekapark, he remains a dangerous threat to any top-tier opponent.
• Ertuğrul Dağdeviren: Carrying heavy momentum after locking down a hard-earned victory at the Balya Oil Wrestling finals, he is structurally poised for a deep tournament run.
• Nedim Gürel: Fresh off an incredible tactical victory at the Altınova Fevziye tournament where he bested Orhan Okulu in the final round, he enters the arena in peak physical condition.
• İsmail Koç: The reigning champion of the Büyükmandıra tournament, this physically imposing wrestler stands out as a true nightmare draw for anyone in the early brackets.
• Erkan Taş: Displaying a masterclass in consistency with a gold medal at Edremit and a silver at İvrindi, his structural growth makes him a prime dark horse candidate for a deep playoff spot.

Furthermore, veteran heavyweights who have regularly shaken up the brackets in recent tours, including Osman Kan, Serdar Yıldırım, Serhat Balcı, Yıldıray Pala, and Okan Yavaş, will tie their leather kisbets to fight for ultimate glory at the 2026 Edirne Kırkpınar event.

Official 665th Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Schedule (July 3 – July 5, 2026)

• July 3, 2026 (Friday): The tournament opens at Sarayiçi with preliminary, grueling knockout rounds across youth and lower-tier divisions. Stadium access is entirely free for the general public.
• July 4, 2026 (Saturday): The elite master wrestlers (Başpehlivanlar) step onto the field. The atmosphere intensifies through high-stakes elimination rounds, narrowing the field down to the final quarter-finalists.
• July 5, 2026 (Sunday): The grand finale. The day kicks off with the quarter and semi-finals, culminating in the historic, unforgiving grand finale match to crown the official 2026 Turkish Champion and award the legendary Golden Belt.