Background: Numerous studies have evaluated the relationship between the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene variant rs2736098 polymorphism and bladder cancer risk, but the sample size has been small and the results were conflicting. This meta-analysis was conducted to comprehensively evaluate the overall association. Methods: Pubmed, Web of science, Embase, China biology medical literature database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang and Weipu databases were searched before Jun 30, 2018. The strength of associations was assessed using Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (Cis). All of the statistical analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 14.0. Results: Six studies involved 1974 cases and 2887 controls. Overall, significant association was observed between the TERT gene variant rs2736098 polymorphism and bladder cancer (A vs. G: OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.11-1.33; AA vs. GG: OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.25-1.87; AA vs. AG+GG: OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.20 1.74; AA+AG vs. GG: OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.08 1.38). In subgroup analysis by ethnic groups, a statistically significant association was observed in Asians (A vs. G: OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.07-1.55), but not in Caucasians (A vs. G: OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.98-1.31). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the reliability and stability of the meta-analysis. Conclusion: Meta-analysis supports that the TERT gene variant rs2736098 polymorphism might contribute to individual susceptibility to bladder cancer in Asians.