Alanya continues to attract international attention not only for its beautiful beaches, historical landmarks and tourism opportunities but also for hosting major international sporting events. On October 31, 2026, the MLO Strongman Champions League Türkiye Grand Prix brought some of the world's strongest athletes together at the famous Cleopatra Beach.
A total of 14 athletes from 11 different countries participated in the competition. As the 13th stage of the Strongman Champions League World Series, the event also served as a semi-final competition ahead of the world finals. Athletes competed in various strength and endurance challenges to secure their positions among the world's strongest competitors.
Hosted by Alanya Municipality, the event received support from the Alanya Tourism Promotion Foundation (ALTAV), the Alanya Touristic Hoteliers Association (ALTİD) and the Alanya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ALTSO). The competition was free and open to the public, attracting both local residents and international visitors.
The top three athletes in the 2026 Alanya stage were Tristain Hoath, Austin Hamm and Luke Richardson.
What Is Strongman? Strongman is a sport that tests much more than muscular strength. Athletes must demonstrate exceptional endurance, speed, balance, coordination and overall physical performance.
Competitions feature demanding challenges such as lifting enormous stone blocks, pulling heavy vehicles and carrying objects weighing hundreds of kilograms.
Athletes earn points based on their performance in each event. The competitor with the highest total score at the end of all challenges is declared the winner. Strongman therefore requires not only extraordinary physical strength but also technique, strategy and excellent conditioning.
Alanya's History of Hosting Strongman Competitions Alanya's connection with international Strongman competitions dates back to 2019.
In 2019, the city hosted its first Strongman event, featuring 12 athletes competing across six different strength disciplines over two days. Some of the most remarkable challenges included pulling a 14-tonne truck, lifting a 1,400-kilogram vehicle and pushing a two-tonne pickup truck. American athlete Travis Ortmayer won the competition.
In 2021, Alanya hosted the MLO Strongman Champions League World Finals on November 13–14. The competition took place at Cleopatra Beach on the first day and İskele Şelale Square on the second day. Events included marble block lifting, Husafell stone carrying, Turkish strength stones, truck pulling and vehicle lifting. Dutch athlete Kelvin de Ruiter became the champion.
In 2022, Alanya hosted the Strongman Champions League World Finals for the second consecutive year. Held on November 5–6, the competition brought together 12 athletes from different countries. The events took place at Cleopatra Beach and İskele Şelale Square, with Latvian athlete Ivars Smaukstelis claiming the championship title.
Alanya Continues to Grow as an International Sports Tourism Destination Alanya's long-standing tradition of hosting international Strongman competitions highlights the city's growing potential as a sports tourism destination.
With its mild climate, natural beauty, well-developed accommodation infrastructure and attractive tourist areas, Alanya offers excellent conditions for international sporting events. These competitions contribute to the city's global recognition while bringing greater diversity to its tourism sector.
At Ogenus Property, we see Alanya as more than just a holiday destination. It is a vibrant international city offering a diverse lifestyle, exciting events and growing opportunities. International sporting events such as Strongman continue to strengthen Alanya's global reputation and highlight its potential as an attractive place to live, visit and invest.