Quick answer
The Kırkpınar oil wrestling festival takes place every early July at Edirne's Sarayiçi (Kırkpınar Er Meydanı), usually around the second week of July. The wrestling peaks in the final days of a week-long festival. Exact dates are announced each spring by the municipality and governorship.
When is Kırkpınar held?
The historic Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival is held every year in early July, most often in the second week. The event is actually a week-long celebration; the program opens with drums and zurna and climaxes on the weekend when the wrestling bouts are held and the head wrestler is crowned.
Because the exact days can shift by a few days from year to year, anyone wanting to lock in precise dates should follow the official announcements. The festival is regarded as one of the oldest continuously held sporting events in the world, dated to 1361.
How to check this year's exact program
The current year's exact dates and the hour-by-hour wrestling schedule are announced in spring by the Edirne Municipality and the Edirne Governorship. Turkey's Traditional Sports Federation also publishes the official calendar.
When planning your trip, confirm the dates early for tickets, accommodation and transport; Edirne draws heavy interest during this week and hotels fill up quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Exactly when is Kırkpınar in 2026?+
The exact days are announced officially each spring. As a general rule you can plan around the first half of July, especially the second week.
How many days does the wrestling last?+
The festival lasts about a week; the main bouts and the head-wrestler final are usually held in the last days, over the weekend.
Updated: June 2026
