İzmir Atatürk Stadium
Photo: Inanc Bardakcioglu · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Capacity
- 51,295
- Year opened
- 1971
- Club
- —
- Country
- Turkey
Overview
About the stadium
İzmir Atatürk Stadium (Turkish: İzmir Atatürk Stadyumu) is a multi-purpose stadium in İzmir, Turkey, opened in October 1971 with a capacity of 70,000. It is named after the Turkish statesman Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and is used mostly for football, with occasional track and field events.
Location and surroundings
The stadium stands in İzmir, Turkey's third-largest city on the Aegean coast, in the Konak district. It is named after Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the modern Turkish state. The venue is equipped with a running track of ten lanes, making it a full multi-purpose ground suitable for both football and athletics.
Main uses
İzmir Atatürk Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium used mostly for football matches and occasionally for athletics competitions. The local İzmir clubs Altay S.K. and Karşıyaka S.K. use the stadium especially for high-attendance matches when their own grounds are not large enough. The capacity of 70,000 allows it to stage major sporting and cultural events. The venue has hosted several international competitions, confirming its role as a flagship sporting ground for the region.
History
Journey through time
İzmir Atatürk Stadium is one of the traditional sporting grounds of Turkey. It opened in October 1971 with a capacity of 70,000 and has served from the start as a multi-purpose arena for football and athletics in the city of İzmir.
Construction and opening
The stadium opened in October 1971 and was named after the Turkish statesman Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. In its very first year it hosted the 1971 Mediterranean Games, immediately establishing it among major venues. The ground includes an athletics track of ten lanes, allowing it to host track and field competitions.
Major renovations
The stadium was most recently refurbished in 2005, when it was modernised to host the 2005 Summer Universiade. The upgrade continued a long tradition of major events and kept the venue capable of hosting international competitions in the years that followed.
Notable moments
The stadium hosted the 1971 Mediterranean Games, the Islamic Games in 1980 and the 2005 Summer Universiade. In 2009 it staged the Fortis Turkey Cup Final, in which Beşiktaş beat Fenerbahçe 4–2 to win the cup for the eighth time. On 9 September 1986 the stadium held a charity concert to raise funds for African countries struggling with hunger and drought, featuring acts including Sandra, C.C. Catch, Bad Boys Blue and Ricchi e Poveri. American singer Michael Jackson was due to perform here on 7 October 1992 on his Dangerous World Tour, but the show was cancelled due to illness.
Atmosphere
Matchday
The atmosphere at İzmir Atatürk Stadium is shaped above all by the football matches of İzmir's clubs and by major international events. With a capacity of 70,000, it is among the largest grounds in Turkey and has also hosted music concerts and sporting festivals.
Fan culture
İzmir is a city with a rich football tradition, and the clubs Altay S.K. and Karşıyaka S.K. use İzmir Atatürk Stadium especially for high-attendance matches. On such occasions the stands fill with passionate home crowds. Beyond football, the stadium has seen major cultural events too — for example the charity concert of September 1986, featuring a string of European performers.
Big matches
The most famous football moment in the stadium's history is the 2009 Fortis Turkey Cup Final, in which Beşiktaş defeated Fenerbahçe 4–2 to claim the trophy for the eighth time. Alongside club fixtures, the venue has also hosted top international events such as the 1971 Mediterranean Games and the 2005 Summer Universiade, which brought significant sporting contests to the ground.
Practical info
Visiting the stadium
İzmir Atatürk Stadium lies in the city of İzmir on the Aegean coast of Turkey, in the Konak district. It is a multi-purpose stadium holding 70,000 and used mainly for football and occasionally for athletics.
How to get there
The stadium is located in İzmir, Turkey's third-largest city, in the Konak district. The city has well-developed public transport, making the venue reachable from the centre. The specific matchday transport arrangement depends on the event being held.
Tickets and tours
İzmir Atatürk Stadium hosts mainly football matches of the clubs Altay S.K. and Karşıyaka S.K. at high-attendance fixtures. Ticket availability follows the schedule of a given match or event. For up-to-date information it is best to follow the official channels of the clubs and organisers.
Visitor tips
- What is played here: Mainly football, occasionally athletics (a ten-lane track).
- Who plays here: İzmir clubs Altay S.K. and Karşıyaka S.K. for big matches.
- Capacity: The stadium holds 70,000.
- Where it is: In İzmir, the Konak district, on Turkey's Aegean coast.
Map
Where to find the stadium
Rating
Your rating
No ratings yet
Plan your visit
Konak, Turkey
Accommodation
Booking.com — affiliate ID not configured
Stadium tour
GetYourGuide — partner ID not configured
Match tickets
Ticombo — affiliate ID not configured
Some links are affiliate — if you purchase, we earn a small commission (no extra cost to you).
