Far outside of Istanbul's chaotic city centre, you will find the Atatürk Olympic Stadium. It is Turkey's largest stadium but it is not as grand as it likes to be portrayed. Besides, you are unlikely to find the typical Turkish football atmosphere here. However, for some football fans, this ground holds a special place in their hearts.
Atatürk Olympic Stadium is the largest football stadium in Turkey with a capacity of 74,753. It was built as part of Turkey’s bid to host to Olympics in 2008, which in the end was hosted in China. It is not the most beautiful stadium in Istanbul and is located far from the city centre, but with its oval and open bowl shape, the stadium is quite unique. The pitch and the first row of stands are lower than the street level and you get a panoramic view from the top of the western and eastern stands.
Nowadays, Atatürk Olympic Stadium is the home ground of the Turkish national football team and of the Turkish football club Fatih Karagümrük. In the past, Istanbul Başakşehir used the stadium as its home before it moved to the Fatih Terim Stadium. Galatasaray and Besiktas also had short stints in the Olympic stadium when their own grounds were being refurbished.
The Champions League final of 2005. One of the greatest games in the competition’s history. The Liverpool of Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso were 3-0 behind against the star-studded AC Milan with Andriy Shevchenko and Kaká among others. The game looked all set and done, but to everyone’s surprise, Liverpool scored three goals in six minutes after half-time. Eventually, Liverpool went on to win the game in a penalty shootout.
The Atatürk Olympic Stadium is still loved by Liverpool fans. They even call it the ‘Turkish Anfield’. In June 2023, the stadium will also host the Champions League final.
The story of Fatih Karagümrük has gone a little bit under the radar. Back in 2012, the Turkish football club was still playing amateur football and not a single fan could have dreamt of what was to come. After having been promoted to the fourth tier, which is the lowest professional level in Turkey, in 2012, the club went on to play two seasons at this level before being promoted to the third tier. They continued to play in that league until 2019, and then the unimaginable happened. What followed were two successive promotions and in 2020 the club suddenly played in Turkey’s highest division. They went from amateurs to the highest division in a space of eight years. Since then, the club seems to have established itself as a midtable side and currently has the legendary Italian footballer Andrea Pirlo as their manager.
Ever since their promotion to the highest tier of Turkish football, the club has been playing their home games in the Atatürk Olympic Stadium because their ground does not meet the criteria of the league. The Olympic stadium is a bit too big for Fatih Karagümrük, but when they play against top sides like Fenerbahce, Galatasaray or Besiktas the stadium can become quite full of away fans.
Fatih Karagümrük used to play its home matches in Vefa Stadı, also known as the Karagümrük Stadyumu. It is a shame they are not allowed to play here because it is a beautiful stadium surrounded by apartment blocks which have been built on top of a cliff. From Fevzi Paşa Street you have a splendid view of the ground.
Vefa Stadı is located near the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque in the Fatih district, one of Istanbul's most historic and popular neighbourhoods.
If you are visiting Vefa Stadı, go for a stroll through the colourful Balat. The hip neighbourhood filled with narrow cobbled streets is filled with colourful houses, vintage shops, art galleries and coffee bars. In this neighbourhood, you will also find the beautiful Phanar Greek Orthodox College.
There are not many pubs in the area of the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, so we recommend having a drink in the city centre. The Corner Irish Pub, the Rounder’s Irish Pub, the Red River Pub and Craft Beer Lab are worth a visit.
Tickets to watch a match of Fatih Karagümrük in the Turkish Süper Lig can solely be bought through Passo, the official seller of football tickets to all games in Turkey (including league, European, cup and friendly games). You need to register on Passo and buy a PASSOLIG card, with which you can buy your ticket and enter the stadium. Tickets are usually for sale a week before the match. More information can be found on the website of Passo.
The Atatürk Olympic Stadium is easily accessible by the metro system. Metro station Olimpiyat is situated directly next to the stadium and can be reached through the yellow line.
Images: Shutterstock
