Applications for TEKNOFEST 2026 tech competitions closing on Sat

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) — The application window for technology competitions at the world's largest aviation, space and technology festival TEKNOFEST 2026 will close on Saturday, February 28.

Successful teams will receive massive financial support and prize pools this year as organizers will hold competitions in 51 main categories and 132 subcategories during the festival.

The event will provide over 100 million Turkish liras ($2.5 million) in financial support to teams that pass the preliminary elimination stage.

Winning teams will receive more than 75 million Turkish liras ($1.8 million) in total prize money.

The festival features different technology competitions, including rocket design, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence and blockchain.

Organizers introduced four new competitions this year, such as mining technologies, electronic warfare, advanced autonomous systems and drone tracking.

These events target a wide range of participants from primary school students to postgraduates.

Türkiye will host TEKNOFEST 2026 at the country's south-east province Sanliurfa, GAP Airport from September 30 to October 4.

The event has traditionally been held in different Turkish cities in even-numbered years and in Istanbul in odd-numbered years.

It has also been held in two foreign countries: Azerbaijan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) so far.

The event in Istanbul last year welcomed over 1 million visitors.

Anadolu has been the global communication partner of the event since the first edition.