Orienteering in Turkey
How is orienteering organised in Turkey? How do the federation, races, licences, school and university sport work?
Short answer
Orienteering in Turkey is governed by the Turkish Orienteering Federation (TOF), a member of the IOF. The season starts in autumn. It includes a tiered Turkish Orienteering Championship (TOŞ), U14 rounds, club, masters and relay championships, and MTBO, ski and trail-O championships. Official races require a licence through an accredited club. School sport and university championships offer separate pathways for young people.
The federation
The Turkish Orienteering Federation (Türkiye Oryantiring Federasyonu, TOF) is based in Ankara and is a member of the International Orienteering Federation. It sets race rules and the calendar, runs coach, controller and mapper education, and manages the national team.
National competition structure
- Turkish Orienteering Championship (TOŞ): tiered rounds through the season and a final.
- U14 rounds and U14 national championship.
- Club Championship: in 2026, held in Denizli, it attracted over 100 clubs and more than 1,300 athletes.
- Masters and Relay championships.
- MTBO, ski and Trail-O national championships.
- National team selection races and international championships.
2026–27 examples: TOŞ round 1 (Tokat, 14–16 Nov 2026), round 2 (Aydın, 18–20 Dec 2026), MCO 2027 (Muğla, 20–24 Jan 2027), METU Open (Ankara, 6–7 Mar 2027), national final (Bursa, 26–28 Mar 2027). See Events and the TOF calendar.
Classes
Classes are by sex and age: E (men) and K (women) plus an age group, e.g. E16, K20, E21 Elite, and masters groups from 35.
Clubs and licences
Official classes require a licence through an accredited club. Clubs renew accreditation each season and must employ certified coaches. Kanyon Orienteering is accredited for the 2026–27 season.
School sport
Orienteering is part of Turkey’s school sport programme, with Minikler, Küçükler, Yıldızlar, Gençler B and Gençler A categories and provincial, group and national stages. It is also part of the Anatolian Stars League (ANALİG) for young athletes.
University sport
Ankara universities are strong: at the 2026 national university championship, Ankara University won the men’s team title and Hacettepe University was second among women.
International events
Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, Turkey is a winter destination for European orienteers: festivals in Antalya, Istanbul 5 Days (including the Grand Bazaar super sprint), an international cup in Bursa and the 2027 Mediterranean Championships (MCO). Turkey hosted JWOC in 2021.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners living in Turkey race in Turkish orienteering events?
Yes. Many events have open classes without a licence. To race in official classes you join an accredited club, which handles the licence. Contact the club for your individual situation.
When does the orienteering season run in Turkey?
Usually from autumn (September–October) to early summer. Clubs renew their accreditation with the federation every season.
Are there international orienteering events in Turkey?
Yes. Winter festivals in Antalya, Istanbul 5 Days, the Mediterranean Orienteering Championships (MCO 2027) in Muğla and an international cup in Bursa welcome foreign athletes.
Sources and further reading
Related guides
- Orienteering in AnkaraOrienteering in Ankara - clubs, university teams, parks and campuses, events in Ankara and how to start with Kanyon Orienteering, in English.
- How to prepare for your first orienteering racePreparing for your first orienteering race - entry, choosing a class, what to wear and bring, race-day steps, safety rules and FAQs.
- Orienteering for childrenOrienteering for children - starting age, safety, the parent's role, course levels by age, school sport categories in Turkey and map games at home.