The VI World Nomad Games will be held in Kyrgyzstan from August 31 to September 6, 2026. The programme of these now-traditional competitions includes more than 40 national sports and games representing the participating countries. Among them, Turkmen national wrestling holds a worthy place.

The VI World Nomad Games have evolved into an international platform dedicated to preserving and promoting the sporting and cultural heritage of peoples around the world. The inclusion of Turkmen national wrestling in the programme of the World Nomad Games is a testament to its worthy place among traditional national sports.

While the first World Nomad Games, held in 2014, brought together athletes from 19 countries, a record number of participating nations is expected in 2026. In particular, representatives of around 20 countries will take part in the ethnosports competitions for the first time this year.

The opening and closing ceremonies of the Games will take place in Bishkek, while the competitions themselves will be held in the Issyk-Kul region. According to the organisers, more than 100,000 people from friendly countries are expected to participate in and attend this international forum, which is held once every two years.

For Turkmenistan, participation in this ethnosports forum is of particular significance. In the year marking the 35th anniversary of the country’s sacred Independence, Turkmen athletes will have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills on an international stage that brings together representatives of different nations, while showcasing the country’s rich national sporting traditions to the global sports community.