Turkey's Esports Federation strives for international dominance
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In the vibrant world of esports, Turkey is making its mark, with the Turkey Esports Federation (TESFED) leading the charge to elevate the country's competitive scene on the global stage. Alper Afsin Ozdemir, the president of TESFED, has shared ambitious plans to expand leagues and boost Turkey's esports presence.
Ozdemir, a gaming enthusiast who enjoys playing games with his son, is combining his personal interest with his official role. The federation's latest initiative is the launch of Turkey's first Counter Strike 2 (CS2) league, featuring eight teams, six of which have been invited, and the remaining two qualifying through open tournaments.
The Turkish esports scene is currently demonstrating active participation and growth across several major games. Prominent tournaments and team activities can be found in titles like Counter-Strike, PUBG Mobile, and Dota 2.
While direct information on Turkish teams' achievements specifically in CS2 for 2025 is limited, the active competitive ecosystem is evident. Regional tournaments such as the VALORANT Challengers 2025 Türkiye: Birlik Stage 3, a Riot Games and ESA Esports organized event, featured numerous Turkish teams competing in group and playoff stages.
In the realm of PUBG Mobile, Turkish representation at global events is not explicitly highlighted in the 2025 sources. Top results come from Saudi Arabian and Pakistani teams, with Saudi Arabia's Twisted Minds winning the PUBG: Battlegrounds championship and Pakistan’s 4thrives Esports qualifying for the grand finals.
Regarding Dota 2, the sources do not report any recent specific achievements or developments within Turkey. However, Turkish players and national teams have achieved notable successes abroad, such as finishing second overall at the 2024 World Esports Championship in Riyadh and securing third place in the Dota 2 European Championship.
TESFED, supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, is prioritizing improvements in internet infrastructure and player equipment. Most participating teams have completed their licensing process with the federation. The CS2 league is seen as a pilot for future competitions in other game titles.
IDA Esports, under the branch of Ihlas Holding, is representing Tuřkiye at the PUBG Mobile World Cup in Riyadh. The Istanbul leg of the PUBG Mobile Super League (PMSL) serves as a significant milestone for Tuřkiye's esports landscape, demonstrating the country's rising status in global gaming. The event, hosted for the first time, drew elite teams from across Europe and showcased Tuřkiye's capability to organize world-class esports competitions.
IDA Esports secured a strong third-place finish and qualified for the upcoming PUBG MOBILE World Cup in Riyadh, further underscoring Tuřkiye's growing influence and competitiveness in mobile esports.
Ozdemir emphasizes ongoing efforts to collaborate with public institutions and the private sector to raise awareness and expand the esports ecosystem throughout Tuřkiye. The president of TESFED expresses a personal enthusiasm for gaming, naming his favorite titles as FIFA, PUBG Mobile, Valorant, and League of Legends. TESFED's ultimate goal is to become a global powerhouse in esports. These successes reinforce TESFED's goal of maintaining and elevating Tuřkiye's presence in global esports.
The Turkish esports landscape continues to thrive, with the launch of the first Counter Strike 2 (CS2) league in Istanbul, a testament to Turkey's growing influence in the global esports scene. As the president of TESFED, Alper Afsin Ozdemir, seeks to expand leagues and boost Turkey's esports presence, the Turkish team IDA Esports showcases this ambition by securing a strong third-place finish at the PUBG Mobile World Cup in Riyadh, representing Turkise in the realm of sports gaming.
