Key facts
Club: Galatasaray SK | Opening: 2011 | Capacity: 52,650 seats
History and description
The Türk Telekom Arena replaced Galatasaray’s old Ali Sami Yen, which by the 2000s had significantly aged and lacked many modern facilities. The club first investigated building a new stadium at the site of the Ali Sami Yen, but later chose to build a new stadium at a different location instead.
Construction of the Türk Telekom Arena began late 2007 and came at a cost of an estimated €160 million. The stadium officially opened on 15 January 2011 with a match between Galatasaray and Ajax (0-0).
The Turk Telekom Arena has a total of 5,500 VIP seats and a further 157 executive boxes. The naming rights of the stadium were sold to telecommunications firm Türk Telekom for a period of 10 years.
How to get to the Turk Telekom Arena
The Türk Telekom Arena is located on the northern edge of Istanbul, on the European side of the city close to the Levant and Maslak business districts. Istanbul’s historic centre lies about 12 kilometres away.
The arena is best reached by metro. Stop Seyrantepe, which branches off metro line 2, is a short walk away from the stadium. You can catch line 2 at station Sishane or Taksim at the northern edge of the city centre.
Address: Türk Telekom Arena, 34396 Istanbul
Eat, drink, and sleep near the Turk Telekom Arena
The Türk Telekom Arena is located next to a large motorway on the northern edge of the city. You might be able to find the odd place to eat or drink in the area on the other side of the motorway, but it is likely a better idea to do this in central Istanbul.
There are no hotels in the immediate surrounding of the stadium. If you plan to take a metro to the stadium anyway, there is little reason not to stay in central Istanbul. If you’ve come just for the match and plan on catching a taxi, you might find a hotel closer to the stadium in the Levant or Maslak business areas convenient.
The ArtDeco Istanbul Suites, Elegance Residence Istanbul, and (more expensive) Mövenpick are a few of the options in the Levant area, whereas there is a Sheraton in the Maslak area. Click here to browse the area of the Türk Telekom Arena for hotels, and here to see what’s available in central Istanbul.
Galatasaray Tickets
Tickets for Galatasaray games can be bought online at Passo.com.tr.
As with all matches in Turkey, one needs to possess a Passolig card to be able to buy tickets and enter the stadium. In the case of foreigners this is a pre-paid card. One can apply for a card on the Passolig website.
Ticket prices range typically from TLR 35.00 for an upper-tier seat behind the goal or in the corners to TLR 287.00 for a middle-tier seat at one of the long sides.
Photos of the Turk Telekom Arena
Relevant Internet links
Galatasaray.org – Official website of Galatasaray SK.
Turktelekomarena.com.tr – Official website of the Türk Telekom Arena.
Istanbul.com – Istanbul city guide.
Istanbul-ulasim.com.tr – Istanbul metro travel information.
3 comments
I watched Galatasaray against Fenerbahce today. Had to pay well over the face value for tickets( sold out) but is was well worth it. Metro stop is just outside the stadium. You can go to the store and see the stadium outside on non-match days. Metro station is not closed. Turkish fans make great atmosphere. Well recommended.
Please note, you cannot get to the stadium when there is no event. There has to be an event to get to the stadium all accesses are closed right at the metro station.
One of the most amazing stadiums I’ve ever seen. The atmosphere is brilliant when it is full with crazy fans.