TEKNOFEST opened its doors on September 30 at Şanlıurfa GAP Airport in southeastern Türkiye under the name TEKNOFEST Southeast. Run by the Ministry of Industry and Technology and the Turkish Technology Team Foundation (T3 Foundation), the festival will continue on a 191,000-square-metre site until October 4.
Technology competition finals will be held in 14 categories. Alongside flying displays by the SOLOTÜRK and Turkish Stars aerobatic teams and fighter jets, the festival features ATAK helicopters, the HÜRKUŞ trainer, ANKA and the Bayraktar TB2, TB3 and AKINCI drones. The programme also includes a planetarium, science shows, simulation areas and events for students.
TEKNOFEST, which has hosted about 12 million visitors so far, expects more than 1 million at its Şanlıurfa edition. Admission is free, but visitors must register online. Entry and exit are possible between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., and free public transport is provided to the site.
According to local media, hotel occupancy in the city reached 100% ahead of the festival. About 136,000 square metres of asphalt were laid around the airport and a new 7.5-kilometre water line was built to the site.
Opening on September 30, the 191,000-square-metre site, organisers, 14 categories, free entry, online registration, opening hours and free transport: Manset Haber, 30 September 2026. Aircraft on display and 12 million total visitors: TRT Haber, 29 September 2026. More than 1 million expected visitors and 136,000 square metres of asphalt: Haber7, 27 September 2026. 100% hotel occupancy: Yeni Akit, 27 September 2026. 7.5-kilometre water line: Tabya Dijital, 29 September 2026.
Application figures differ between sources; one reports more than 1.6 million competitors and 730,000 teams, another 28,000 teams and 84,000 competitors. As they may cover different scopes, they were not included.
Officials attending the opening ceremony and first-day visitor numbers had not been announced when this was written.
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