Istanbul 2022 Global Esports Games: 50 days. Let’s Go!

Preparations ramp up in Istanbul to welcome the #worldconnected community at the intersection of Europe and Asia

L-R: Mr. İ. Renay Onur, General Manager of Spor İstanbul; Mr. Paul J. Foster, CEO of Global Esports Federation; Mr. Selçuk Sarıyar, Deputy Mayor of Istanbul; Mr. Alper Afşin Özdemir, President of Turkish Esports Federation (TESFED); and A. Talha Karataş, Board of Director, Turkish Esports Federation; at the Istanbul 2022 Global Esports Games 50-day countdown meet-the-media session on October 26, 2022.

With 50 days to go to the Istanbul 2022 Global Esports Games, the excitement and anticipation heat up as the Global Esports Federation and the city of Istanbul count down to the GEF’s annual Global Esports Games (December 15-17).

Marking the 50-day countdown to the #GEG22, Paul J. Foster, CEO of the GEF, was in Istanbul, leading the fifth Technical Visit with í. Renay Onur, General Manager of İBB Spor İstanbul, Alper Afşin Özdemír, President of the Turkish Esports Federation (TESFED), the Organizing Committee, and delivery partners.

The Organizing Committee presented the design plans for the GEF Arena and mainstage, the athlete-focused services and facilities at the GEF_house, and showcased the first look at the medals for #GEG22, amongst other technical aspects of preparations ahead of the games.

In the heart of Istanbul – GEF_house at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center, one of Europe’s largest hotels – offers the #worldconnected community a space to stay, train and have fun together, and represent their national flags at the GEF’s flagship event.

“We are proud and excited to be in Istanbul, the largest city in Europe, with a dynamic and vibrant culture where Europe and Asia meet,” said Paul J. Foster, CEO of the GEF at the meet-the-media session in Istanbul today. “We are very grateful to all the teams in Istanbul – we can’t wait to be back together in December to cap a year of truly global live events since the Singapore 2021 Global Esports Games.”

Dawn of a new day in the city of Istanbul, Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center. Photo: Global Esports Federation

“According to data gathered in 2021, the gaming sector in Türkiye has grown by 29% from the previous year. We hold great potential in this regard. We are working to realize this potential and take it even further. We want İstanbul to be a leading center of the gaming world,” said Selçuk Sarıyar, Deputy Mayor of Istanbul.

“We are overjoyed to host the second Global Esports Games, the flagship event of the Global Esports Federation this year. The esports thrill happening in our city is invaluable for both raising the interest towards esports in Istanbul and strengthening Istanbul’s standing in the international esports world," he added.

“We are happy and excited to host the second edition of the Global Esports Games. Esports is the future as it continues to grow rapidly in Istanbul, and beyond. We are committed to continuing our preparations for the exciting event,” expressed í. Renay Onur, General Manager of İBB Spor İstanbul.

“We are really excited to host the second Global Esports Games in Turkey. For many years we have been working hard to develop esports in our country. Today, we are counting down to the 50 days to the iconic Global Esports Games 2022 that will take place at the intersection of Europe and Asia; Istanbul,” said Alper Afşin Özdemír, President of TESFED.

Ahead of the fierce esports competition, the GEF will stage GEFcon – the GEF’s global convention of thought leaders, and Istanbul will bring to life the GEFestival – celebrating esports, entertainment, and youth culture in the lead-up to the #GEG22.

Tickets to the Istanbul 2022 Global Esports Games will go on sale from November 12, 2022. Visit www.Istanbul2022geg.gg for the latest updates.