# International sporting events in Istanbul > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/international-sporting-events-in-istanbul > Updated: 2026-08-19T08:09:05.000Z. Sources: 37. Developments: 5. Istanbul is hosting several major international sporting events in August and September 2026. On August 23, the city will hold the 38th Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race, an event involving approximately 2,500 swimmers from 78 countries traveling a 6.5-kilometer course between the Asian and European shores. Recognized by the World Open Water Swimming Association as the “World’s Best Open Water Swimming Event,” the race runs from the Kanlıca district to Kuruçeşme. Wellness technology brand SKG is expected to provide recovery support and physiotherapy services to athletes during this event. Following the conclusion of the 2026 Oral-B Istanbul Bosphorus Triathlon on August 16, the city prepares for the second DenizBank Tersane Istanbul Rowing Cup. Scheduled for September 11 to 13 in the Golden Horn, the rowing competition features a $250,000 total prize pool, with the top prize in the Coastal Race category valued at $100,000. The event will include Coastal, Club, and Corporate categories and is expected to be attended by high-level officials from the European Rowing Federation and World Rowing. The triathlon, organized by the Turkish Triathlon Federation, saw Mikhail Venediktov win the men’s general classification and Ece Calp secure first place in the women’s category. Through a partnership with Oral-B and the Anne Çocuk Eğitim Vakfı (AÇEV), the triathlon included a social responsibility component where athlete completions contributed to projects supporting children’s oral and dental health. Other upcoming events in the 2026 calendar include the Women’s European Volleyball Championship, the Tour of Istanbul and L’Étape Türkiye in September, and the Presidential International Yacht Race in late 2026. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-19: Istanbul to host major international swimming and rowing competitions Istanbul will host the 38th Bosphorus Intercontinental Swimming Race on August 23 and the DenizBank Tersane Istanbul Rowing Cup from September 11-13, featuring significant international participation and prizes 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-to-host-major-international-swimming-and-rowing-competitions ### 2026-08-16: Istanbul Bosphorus Triathlon concludes with Venediktov and Calp victories Mikhail Venediktov and Ece Calp won the 2026 Istanbul Bosphorus Triathlon, an intercontinental race featuring swimming, cycling, and running across the Bosphorus. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-bosphorus-triathlon-concludes-with-venediktov-and-calp-victories ### 2026-08-13: Turkey hosts international sports festivals and marathons Turkey hosts various international sports events, including a major marathon in Eskişehir, a triathlon championship in Istanbul causing traffic closures, and the Tour of Ordu cycling race. 30 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-road-closures-announced-for-2026-triathlon-championship ### 2026-08-12: Istanbul Bosphorus Triathlon to host 1,000 athletes across two continents The 6th Istanbul Bosphorus Triathlon will take place on August 16, 2026, featuring an intercontinental course from Asia to Europe and the introduction of a new aquathlon race. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-bosphorus-triathlon-to-host-1000-athletes-across-two-continents ### 2026-08-06: Istanbul Hosts 38th Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race Istanbul will host the 38th Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race on 23 Aug 2026, with 2,500 swimmers from 78 nations covering a 6.5 km course, amid a busy 2026 sports calendar. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-hosts-38th-bosphorus-cross-continental-swimming-race --- Cite as: International sporting events in Istanbul. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/international-sporting-events-in-istanbul