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The city of Konya witnessed a remarkable rise in cultural tourism as football fans arriving for the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers turned their attention to one of Türkiye’s most iconic landmarks, the Mevlana Museum.
Konya hosted the second Group E qualifier between Türkiye and Spain at MEDAS Konya Metropolitan Stadium. Before heading to the match, thousands of supporters took the opportunity to explore the city’s historic and cultural treasures, with the Mevlana Museum topping the list.
Museum officials reported that while the site usually welcomes around 8,000 visitors per day, the number soared to 15,580 on the day of the match. This sudden influx highlighted how major sporting events can also fuel cultural interest.
Located in Karatay district, the Mevlana Museum houses the tomb of Mevlana Jalal al-Din Rumi, the 13th-century Sufi mystic and Islamic philosopher whose works inspired the Mevlevi Order, widely known in the West as the Whirling Dervishes. The museum stands among Türkiye’s most visited cultural institutions.
In 2024, the museum hosted more than 3 million visitors from both Türkiye and abroad, underlining its continuing global draw.
On match day, visitors not only paid tribute at Rumi’s resting place but also explored Konya’s other historic and touristic sites, combining sport with cultural discovery.
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