Turkey — Hockey

Hockey in Turkey is a developing sport with a small but growing community. The country fields 5 teams across 1 leagues, with the Super Lig as the top domestic competition. While football dominates Turkish sporting culture, ice hockey has gradually expanded its reach, benefiting from new arena construction and increasing institutional support.

Turkey's participation in IIHF tournaments and the development of domestic competitions reflect a steady effort to establish the sport in a country not traditionally associated with ice hockey.

Hockey is a relatively new sport in Turkey, with organised hockey beginning in the early 1990s. The Turkish Ice Hockey Federation was established in 1991, and the sport has grown slowly but steadily since then. New ice rink construction in Ankara, Erzurum, and other cities has supported the sport's expansion.

Turkey's participation in IIHF Division II and III tournaments provides international experience and a pathway for continued development.

The Turkish Ice Hockey Federation (Turkiye Buz Hokeyi Federasyonu, TBHF) is the governing body for Hockey in Turkey. Founded in 1991, the TBHF oversees the domestic league, national team programmes, and grassroots development of the sport.

The Turkey Hockey league system features the Turkish Ice Hockey Super League as the top domestic competition. The league has a small number of teams but has grown in recent years with the construction of new ice facilities. A lower division provides additional competitive opportunities.

Turkey's national Hockey team competes in the lower divisions of the IIHF World Championship, with promotion to Division II representing the programme's best achievement to date. The sport is in a growth phase, and international success remains a long-term objective as Turkey continues to develop its hockey infrastructure and player base.

Turkey's Hockey infrastructure has expanded in recent years, with the Ankara Ice Sports Hall and the Erzurum Ice Sports Palace (built for the 2011 Winter Universiade) among the primary hockey venues. New ice rink construction across the country is supporting the sport's gradual growth.