An unexpected incident marked the start of the group stage in the women's Kadınlar AXA Sigorta Kupa Voley tournament in Turkey. The match between Türk Hava Yolları and Aras Spor, part of the competition's program, was interrupted due to a fire in the ceiling lighting of the "Ankara Ziraat Bankkart" hall.
The incident and the course of the match
The match, which started at 13:00 on October 7, was stopped with a score of 0:2 sets in favor of Aras Spor and 14:11 for Türk Hava Yolları in the third set. Flames erupted in the lighting installation above the playing court, necessitating an immediate interruption and evacuation of some of those present.
After the fire was brought under control and the technical problems resolved, the match resumed. Despite the break and psychological shock, Türk Hava Yolları managed to mobilize and won the set 25:22, bringing intrigue back into the match. Currently, the match continues.
The incident occurred within the Kadınlar AXA Sigorta Kupa Voley 2025-2026, the traditional Turkish Women's Cup tournament. The group stage of the competition takes place between October 7 and 9, 2025, in the cities of Ankara and Bursa, with the hosts being:
TVF Ziraat Bankkart Volleyball Hall – Ankara
TVF Cengiz Göllü Volleyball Hall – Bursa
Tournament Groups
| Group I (Ankara) | Group II (Bursa) | Group III (Bursa) |
|---|---|---|
| Türk Hava Yolları | Kuzeyboru | Aydın B.Şehir Bld. |
| Aras Spor | Beşiktaş | Bahçelievler Bld. |
| Nilüfer Bld. Eker | İlbank | Göztepe |
The format stipulates that the top teams in the three groups will qualify directly for the quarterfinals. They will be joined by the five best teams from last season
– VakıfBank, Fenerbahçe Medicana, Eczacıbaşı Dynavit, Galatasaray Daikin, and Zeren Spor.
Group stage schedule
| Date | Time | Match | TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 7 | 13:00 | Türk Hava Yolları - Aras Spor | TRT Spor Yıldız |
| October 7 | 15:30 | Aydın B.Şehir Bld. - Bahçelievler Bld. | TRT Spor Yıldız |
| October 7 | 17:30 | Kuzeyboru - Beşiktaş | TRT Spor Yıldız |
| October 8 | 13:00 | İlbank - Kuzeyboru | TRT Spor Yıldız |
| October 8 | 15:30 | Göztepe - Aydın B.Şehir Bld. | TRT Spor Yıldız |
| October 8 | 17:30 | Nilüfer Bld. Eker - Türk Hava Yolları | Tabii Spor |
| October 9 | 13:00 | Aras Spor - Nilüfer Bld. Eker | TRT Spor Yıldız |
| October 9 | 15:30 | Bahçelievler Bld. - Göztepe | TRT Spor Yıldız |
| October 9 | 17:30 | Beşiktaş - İlbank | TRT Spor Yıldız |
The schedule is packed, and tension is guaranteed, as only the group winners will advance. However, the incident in Ankara placed an additional focus on the security and organization of the tournament.
The fire in the "Ankara Ziraat Bankkart" hall reminded that even the most professionally organized tournaments are not immune to unforeseen incidents. Fortunately, thanks to the quick response of the organizers and fire brigades, the situation was brought under control without injuries, and spectators can enjoy intriguing volleyball in the AXA Sigorta Kupa Voley 2025-2026.
photo: Voleybol Günlüğü and X
