Ekşi Emphasizes Sports' Unifying Potential at Open Golf Tournament

Bilal Ekşi, the Chief Executive Officer of Turkish Airlines, has highlighted the unifying potential of sports while announcing a new three-year title sponsorship deal for the esteemed Turkish Airlines Open golf tournament. This tournament is set to take place from April 30 to May 3, 2026, at the National Golf Club in Antalya, which is part of Regnum Hotels.

The Turkish Airlines Open, boasting a prize pool of $2.75 million, is a significant event as it serves as the fifth and closing tournament of the Asian Swing, marking the beginning of the DP World Tour 2026 season.

The champion from 2025, young French golfer Martin Couvra, is anticipated to return to Türkiye in 2026 to defend his title. The National Golf Club, which has been instrumental in promoting golf tourism in Antalya since 1994, is looking forward to welcoming athletes and golf aficionados from around the world for this major event.

Regarding the partnership, Ekşi commented, “We are thrilled to resume our role as the title sponsor for an internationally prestigious event like the Turkish Airlines Open. This tournament not only showcases the unifying capacity of sports but also strongly represents Türkiye's ambition to become a global center for sports and tourism.”

Ekşi further added, “As Turkish Airlines, we are unwavering in our support for sports and athletes while enhancing our nation’s brand value, and we look forward to hosting guests from all over the globe in Antalya in 2026.”

Yıldırım Demirören, President of the Turkish Golf Federation, expressed pleasure over the inclusion of the Turkish Airlines Open in Türkiye, affirming its significance in the elite 2026 international professional golf calendar in Europe. Building on the success of its return to the DP World Tour schedule in 2025, this 2026 event will further enhance Türkiye’s standing in the global golf arena.

Mark Casey, the DP World Tour Director of Tournament Business, added, “The DP World Tour is thrilled that Turkish Airlines has renewed their title partnership, allowing the Turkish Airlines Open to be part of the Race to Dubai in 2026. National Golf Club will present our players with a true challenge, and we appreciate the constant support and hospitality from everyone at the venue.”

Hasan Ceylan, General Manager of National Golf Club, stated, “We are extremely honored to host the Turkish Airlines Open for the first time in 2026 at National Golf Club, designed by former Ryder Cup player David Feherty and Seniors Tour player David Jones.