Istanbul is turning into the new center of e-sports.

Defined as the sport of the digital generation, e-sports is drawing attention as a rapidly growing industry. Experts predict that by 2035, the global market will reach a volume of 25 billion dollars. In Turkey, the e-sports market size exceeded 800 million dollars last year, emphasizing that the time has come to invest in the potential of this dynamic sector.

Pelin Akın Özalp highlighted at an event held at Terminal Kadıköy that e-sports is not only a branch of sports but also a convergence point of culture and art. “We will do our best to make this place the center and showcase for e-sports. Over 100,000 people pass through here daily, and we also want to raise awareness about e-sports,” she said.

With the cooperation protocol signed between the Turkish E-Sports Federation (TESFED) and Terminal Kadıköy, the area is being positioned as Istanbul's e-sports event center. Terminal Kadıköy aims to be a meeting point for young people, players, clubs, and brands, while also hosting e-sports competitions, tournaments, and community events.

The region's first official e-sports championship, the TESFED Turkey Cup, along with federation leagues and national team competition events, will be held here starting from 2026. Additionally, educational programs to be offered under TESFED Academy will provide young people with career opportunities ranging from coaching to broadcasting.

Terminal Kadıköy will continue its efforts with the aim of hosting the 2026 European E-Sports Championship and the 2027 European Games on an international scale. This project, considered an important step for the development and popularization of e-sports, brought together TESFED President Alper Afşin Özdemir and Terminal Kadıköy Board Chair Pelin Akın Özalp at the signing ceremony. This initiative, which will elevate Turkey to a significant position in the e-sports world, has the potential to create new opportunities for young people.