The interleukin-18 promoter -607C>A gene polymorphism may be related to nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) risk but the results of individual studies remain conflicting. A meta-analysis including 1,886 subjects from five individual studies was therefore performed to provide a more accurate estimation. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were evaluated by fixed- or random-effects models. A significant relationship between interleukin-18 promoter -607C>A gene polymorphism and NPC was found in a dominant genetic model (OR: 1.351, 95% CI: 1.089-1.676, P=0.006, $P_{heterogeneity}$=0.904), a homozygote model (OR: 1.338, 95% CI: 1.023-1.751, P=0.034, $P_{heterogeneity}$=0.863), and a heterozygote model (OR: 1.357, 95% CI: 1.080-1.704, P=0.009, $P_{heterogeneity}$=0.824). No significant association was detected in either an allelic genetic model (OR: 1.077, 95% CI: 0.960-1.207, 0.207, $P_{heterogeneity}$=0.844) or a recessive genetic model (OR: 1.093, 95% CI: 0.878-1.361, P=0.425, $P_{heterogeneity}$=0.707). In conclusion, a significant association was found between interleukin-18 promoter -607C>A gene polymorphism and NPC risk. Individuals with the C allele of interleukin-18 promoter -607C>A gene polymorphism have a higher risk of NPC development.