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The Istanbul leg of the PUBG Mobile Super League (PMSL) marked a turning point for Türkiye’s esports scene, held on July 4-6. Hosting one of the most prestigious global mobile gaming tournaments for the first time, the city welcomed top-tier teams from across Europe and the Middle East for the European Finals. Among them, Türkiye’s own IDA Esports secured a spot in the global championship after a strong performance that saw them finish third overall.
The finals brought together 16 of the best teams in the region. The stakes were high, with a total prize pool of $200,000 and four available slots for the PUBG MOBILE World Cup, which will be held later this month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Competing under the umbrella of Ihlas Holding, IDA Esports had already made an impression on the league stage. Their consistent form carried into the finals, where they demonstrated strong teamwork and tactical discipline. By finishing in the top three, they became one of the four qualifying teams for the World Cup, scheduled to kick off on July 25 in Riyadh.
Their participation adds another chapter to Türkiye’s growing presence in global esports, particularly in PUBG MOBILE, one of the most widely played mobile games worldwide.
The tournament in Istanbul attracted international attention, not only for its competitive level but also for Türkiye’s role as host. With millions of fans tuning in online, the event marked the first time the PMSL Europe Finals were held in Türkiye—highlighting the country’s rising influence in the esports industry.
Can Gursu, country manager for Tencent Türkiye, emphasized the broader meaning of the event, stating: “Türkiye is no longer just an observer in this culture but one of its architects. Istanbul hosting the final is a step toward building the future of esports. Here, young people are not only playing games—they are gaining skills in teamwork, strategic thinking, and digital creativity. Once again, Türkiye’s youth have shown they are globally competitive.”
The PUBG MOBILE Super League operates as the professional circuit for one of the world’s most-played mobile games, involving hundreds of millions of players worldwide. With Türkiye hosting a major stage of the tournament for the first time, and local teams like IDA Esports reaching the international spotlight, the country’s stake in this fast-growing industry is only set to rise.
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