Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium was the focus of the football world when it hosted the Uefa Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter in June 2023.

Having previously hosted the showpiece event in 2005 – a classic between Liverpool and Milan – the 76,092-capacity stadium was scheduled to host the 2020 final then the 2021 final, but the games were moved to Portugal because of the Covid-19 pandemic.  

In this sports travel guide we look at Istanbul’s sporting history, professional clubs and major events. 

About Istanbul

Vibrant and historic, Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and located at the crossroads of two continents – Europe and Asia. Geographically, the city straddles the Bosphorus Strait, which connects the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea.

Formerly known as Constantinople and Byzantium, Istanbul has a rich history spanning more than 2,500 years and now has a population of around 15m people. The city is a melting pot of diverse cultures and religions, blending elements from its Byzantine, Roman, Ottoman, and modern Turkish heritage.

Istanbul’s major landmarks 

Istanbul’s major landmarks and cultural attractions welcome millions of visitors from around the world each year. 

• Hagia Sophia: originally built as a Byzantine church in the 6th century, Hagia Sophia later served as an imperial mosque during the Ottoman Empire. It is now a museum and a Unesco World Heritage site, renowned for its impressive architecture and beautiful mosaics. 
• Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque): known for its striking blue-tiled interior and six minarets, the Blue Mosque is an iconic symbol of Istanbul. It was constructed in the early 17th century and is still an active place of worship. 
• Topkapi Palace: once the primary residence of the Ottoman sultans, Topkapi Palace offers a glimpse into the grandeur and opulence of the Ottoman Empire. The palace complex houses various courtyards, royal chambers, treasury, and an extensive collection of artefacts. 
• Grand Bazaar: this historical covered market is one of the oldest and largest bazaars in the world. It spans more than 60 streets and offers a vibrant shopping experience, with a vast array of shops selling jewellery, textiles, spices, ceramics, and more. 
• Basilica Cistern: Also known as the “Sunken Palace”, the Basilica Cistern is an underground water reservoir built during the Byzantine era. It features rows of ancient columns and is famous for its mysterious atmosphere. 
• Galata Tower: located in the Galata district, this medieval tower offers panoramic views of Istanbul’s skyline. Dating back to the 14th century, it has served various purposes throughout history and is now a popular tourist attraction. 
• Bosphorus Bridge: spanning the Bosphorus Strait, the Bosphorus Bridge connects the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. It is an iconic landmark and offers breathtaking views of the city and the waterway. 

2036 Olympic bid

Turkey’s National Olympic Committee has put forward Istanbul’s bid to be the host city of the 2036 Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. After several previous unsuccessful bids, will Istanbul finally get its chance to welcome the global mega-event? 

“To make sure Istanbul gets its deserved place on the world sports map, we are focusing on the biggest target,” mayor Ekrem Imamoglu said in 2021. “We put forward our will, and in the name of Istanbul and Turkish people, we want [to hold] the Olympics and Paralympic Games in Istanbul.”

Speaking to InsidetheGames.biz in 2022, key official Veli Ozan Çakır said it’s “our dream” that Istanbul will host the 2036 spectacle. “As a Turkish person I have always wanted to see the Olympic Games in Turkey and Istanbul is the best destination for it,” he added. “I am not the decision maker for this but as a technical person I am sure that with the experience of previous events Istanbul is ready for hosting the Olympic Games and I am sure it will succeed.”

Stadiums and arenas in Istanbul  

Istanbul has a rich sporting culture, and its major stadiums and arenas have hosted numerous domestic and international sporting events across various disciplines.

• Atatürk Olympic Stadium: located in the İkitelli district, Atatürk Olympic Stadium is the largest stadium in Turkey and one of the largest in Europe. It has a seating capacity of around 76,000 and has hosted numerous international sporting events, including the 2005 Uefa Champions League final. 
• Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi – Nef Stadyumu: the home stadium of Galatasaray has a seating capacity of around 52,000 and is located in the Seyrantepe quarter of the Sarıyer district. 
• Vodafone Park: this stadium is the home of Beşiktaş JK. It is situated in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, near the Bosphorus. Vodafone Park has a seating capacity of approximately 42,000 and is known for its unique architectural design and atmosphere. 
• Ulker Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu Stadium: the home stadium of Fenerbahçe SK. The stadium is located in the Kadıköy district and has a seating capacity of around 50,000. 
• Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadium: the home of İstanbul Başakşehir, is located in the Başakşehir district of Istanbul and has a seating capacity of approximately 17,000.
• Sinan Erdem Dome: a multi-purpose indoor arena that hosts basketball, tennis and music concerts. It’s home to Anadolu Efes SK, Galatasaray SK, the Turkish men’s national basketball team, and the Turkey national futsal team.
• Ataköy Athletics Arena: the city’s main athletics venue. The European Athletics Indoor Championships were held at the Ataköy Arena from 2-5 March 2023.

Major sports events in Istanbul

Istanbul has been the host city for many major sports events, including: 

• Uefa Champions League finals: the UCL final was previously held at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in 2005 and 2023. 
• FIBA World Basketball Championship: Istanbul was one of the host cities in 2010. The Sinan Erdem Dome, located in the city’s Ataköy district, served as the main venue for the tournament. 
• Istanbul Marathon: an annual long-distance running event held in Istanbul since 1979. It attracts thousands of participants from around the world and features a route that showcases the city’s iconic landmarks. The next Istanbul Marathon will be held on Sunday 5 November 2023.
• F1 Turkish Grand Prix: Istanbul Park Circuit, located in Istanbul’s Tuzla district, hosted the Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix from 2005 to 2011. The race returned to Istanbul in 2020 and 2021, but has not been on the F1 calendar since. 
• World Wrestling Championships: Istanbul has hosted the World Wrestling Championships, showcasing various wrestling disciplines, on multiple occasions.
• World Indoor Athletics Championships: Istanbul hosted the 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships, which brought together top athletes from around the world to compete in indoor track and field events. The Ataköy Athletics Arena was the main venue for the championships. 

Professional sports teams in Istanbul

Istanbul is well known for its football, but the Turkish city is also home to clubs and teams competing in professional basketball, volleyball, rugby and handball. Here’s a look at the biggest sports teams in Istanbul.

Football

• Galatasaray: one of the most successful football clubs in Turkey, Galatasaray competes in the Turkish Süper Lig and plays their home matches at Nef Stadyumu.
• Fenerbahçe: another popular football club, Fenerbahçe competes in the Turkish Süper Lig and plays their home matches at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium. 
• Beşiktaş: one of the oldest sports clubs in Turkey, Beşiktaş competes in the Turkish Süper Lig and plays their home matches at Vodafone Park. 
• İstanbul Başakşehir: originally founded in 1990 as İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor, the club competes in the Turkish Süper Lig and plays their home games at Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadium.
• For more information on football in Istanbul see weloveist.com and football.goturkiye.com

Basketball

• Anadolu Efes: a professional basketball team that competes in the Turkish Basketball Super League (BSL) and the EuroLeague. They play their home games at Sinan Erdem Dome. 

Volleyball

• Fenerbahçe Volleyball: one of the most successful volleyball teams in Turkey. They compete in the Turkish Volleyball League and participate in European competitions. 
• Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul: one of the world’s best women’s volleyball teams which play their home games at Eczacıbaşı Spor Salonu. 

Handball

• Beşiktaş J.K. Handball Team: Beşiktaş has a handball team that competes in the Turkish Handball Super League.

Tourism and hotel information

For information on things to do in Istanbul see GoTürkiye.com and Istanbul Tourism Pass. Champions League final information can be found at Uefa.com. For Istanbul hotel information see Expedia and Hotels.com

Istanbul airports

On the European side, Istanbul Airport (IST) is the busiest airport in Turkey and the city’s main aviation hub. The city’s second airport, Sabiha Gökçen International (SAW), is located on the Asian side of the city. Turkish Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, offers a “Stopover in Istanbul” program for passengers.

Main image: Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul (PxHere.com)