2025-26 Turkish Süper Lig

The 2025–26 Süper Lig, officially known as the Trendyol Süper Lig due to sponsorship agreements, marks the 68th season of Türkiye’s premier professional football league. Scheduled to run from August 2025 to May 2026, this season introduces significant structural changes aimed at enhancing the league’s competitiveness and financial sustainability. 

Galatasaray became the first-ever club in Turkish football to win 25 Süper Lig titles in 2024-2025. (Anadolu Agency)

League Format and Structural Changes

In a strategic move by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), the Süper Lig will feature 18 clubs, a reduction from previous seasons. This adjustment is part of a broader initiative to decrease the total number of professional football teams in Türkiye from 139 to 120 over several seasons, aiming to improve financial health and competitive balance across all divisions.  

The season will follow a double round-robin format, with each team playing 34 matches—17 at home and 17 away. At the conclusion of the season, the bottom three teams will be relegated to the TFF First League, while the top three teams from the First League will be promoted to the Süper Lig for the following season. 

Participating Teams

The 18 clubs competing in the 2025–26 season include: 

• Alanyaspor
• Antalyaspor
• Başakşehir
• Beşiktaş
• Eyüpspor
• Fenerbahçe
• Galatasaray
• Gaziantep
• Gençlerbirliği
• Göztepe
• Kasımpaşa
• Kayserispor
• Kocaelispor
• Konyaspor
• Rizespor
• Samsunspor
• Trabzonspor
• Fatih Karagümrük

Notably, Kocaelispor, Gençlerbirliği, and Fatih Karagümrük have been promoted from the TFF First League, marking returns after 16, 4, and 1 seasons of absence, respectively.  

Defending Champions

Galatasaray enters the 2025–26 season as the defending champion, having secured their 25th Süper Lig title in the previous campaign. The club will be aiming to achieve a historic fourth consecutive league title—a feat unmatched in the modern era and previously accomplished only by Galatasaray itself between 1996 and 2000 under legendary manager Fatih Terim.

Managerial Landscape

The season features several high-profile managerial appointments:

• Okan Buruk remains with Galatasaray, seeking to defend their title successfully. 
• José Mourinho continues at the helm of Fenerbahçe, bringing his extensive European experience to the club.
• Ole Gunnar Solskjær, former Manchester United manager, leads Beşiktaş, aiming to revitalize the team’s performance.
• Fatih Tekke, a former Trabzonspor player, now manages Trabzonspor, bringing insider knowledge to the club’s strategy. 

Stadiums and Locations

The clubs are based across various regions in Türkiye, with matches hosted in stadiums that meet the TFF’s standards. Notable venues include:

• Rams Park, Istanbul – Home to Galatasaray, with a capacity of 52,223. 
• Ülker Stadium, Istanbul – Fenerbahçe’s home ground, accommodating 47,834 spectators.
• Tüpraş Stadium, Istanbul – Beşiktaş’s stadium, with a capacity of 42,590. 
• Papara Park, Trabzon – Hosting Trabzonspor’s matches, seating 40,782 fans.
• Kocaeli Stadium, İzmit – Kocaelispor’s home, with a capacity of 34,712. 

Season Outlook

The 2025–26 Süper Lig season is poised to be competitive, with traditional powerhouses like Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş vying for the title. The inclusion of returning clubs adds fresh dynamics to the league, promising an exciting season for fans and stakeholders alike.