With FC26 tournaments, racing simulators, and VR & AR experience zones, Level Up Days brings together beloved figures from the gaming world with Yıldız students.

Our university is organizing an event under the Yıldız Fest’26 umbrella that will bring together the worlds of gaming, technology, and esports under one roof. Organized in collaboration with the YTÜ Digital Game Development and Digital Gaming Club (DOGDOK) and İlbars Production, Level Up Days will take place at the YTÜ Davutpaşa Historical Hamam Cultural Center on June 10–11, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Featuring tournaments, racing simulators, VR and AR experience zones, and esports panels, the event will bring together leading figures in the gaming industry with our YTÜ students. Throughout the event, DJ performances, VR-AR experiences, and PC tournaments will continue non-stop.

The pulse of the gaming world and the excitement of virtual racing

The opening ceremony will take place on Wednesday, June 10, at 12:00 PM, with moderator Sinan Karakaş announcing the day’s program; following this, time-based tournament qualifiers will begin on the racing simulator. At 12:15 PM, publisher Şeyma Nur Özgür will discuss current developments in a session titled "Rising Trends in the Gaming Industry," moderated by Batuhan Bozkan. At 1:45 PM, game developer Dilara Keçeci will share her experiences in independent development during the “Behind the Scenes of the Gaming World” discussion, moderated by Ozan Aydemir. At 3:15 PM, rally drivers Vedat Ali Dalokay and Ziyad Apaydın will discuss the intersection of the gaming ecosystem and sports in the session "Games, Sports, and Esports," moderated by Sinan Karakaş. To close out the day, the tournament champion will face off against a rally driver in a demonstration race, and the first day of the event will conclude with an awards ceremony at 5:00 PM.

Stars of the gaming world take the stage

The program, which begins at 12:00 PM on Thursday, June 11, with guest introductions, will also feature simultaneous FC26 Tournament qualifiers on 10 PS5 consoles. At 12:15 PM, game publisher Dost Kayaoğlu will share his analytical perspective on games during a discussion titled “What Makes a Game ‘Good’?” moderated by Sinan Karakaş. At 1:45 PM, game developer Faruk Akıncı and publisher Cenk Durmazel will discuss the past and present of gaming culture in the session "Where Are Those Old Games?" moderated by Sinan Akkol.

At 3:15 PM, professional esports players İsmail "Isopowerr" Can Yerinde and Ege Arseven will share their professional gaming experiences during the Esports Panel, moderated by Hande Sarı. Later in the program, the "Stars Showdown" will take place at the Historical Hamam, where tournament finalists and well-known figures from the esports world will face off in exhibition matches. The event will conclude at 5:00 PM with the trophy presentation and closing ceremony.

Offering a wide range of content from talks and panels to tournaments and experience zones, Level Up Days is set to be one of the most notable events at Yıldız Fest’26.