Atatürk Olympic Stadium

General Information

Construction of the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in the İkitelli district of Istanbul began in 1999 and was completed in 2002. The Atatürk Olympic Stadium, the largest stadium in Türkiye, has a total capacity of 82,576 spectators, making it not only the largest stadium in Türkiye but also one of the largest in the world. It is equipped with infrastructure capable of hosting multi-purpose events including international competitions, educational activities and concerts.

Architectural Design

The stadium’s architectural design was carried out by Michel Macary and Aymeric Zublena, the architects of the Stade de France. The roof is designed to resemble the bridges of the Bosphorus and appears as a crescent when viewed from above. The crescent-shaped roof above the tribunes is supported by a steel building elevated on two towers 80 meters high and four pillars. The stadium’s total capacity is approximately 80,000, with 48,500 seats located in the covered area.

Technical Features and Facilities

The Atatürk Olympic Stadium was built on a site covering 50,000 square meters and is equipped with athletics facilities. Inside the stadium there is a six-story building, training classrooms, an amphitheater, a 2,000-seat media area for members and a large parking lot with capacity for 18,900 vehicles. Additionally, there are 85 turnstile providing electronic access and dedicated sections for spectators with disabilities.

Important Events

The Atatürk Olympic Stadium was officially opened on 31 July 2002 with a match between Galatasaray and Olympiakos, setting a record attendance of 79,414 spectators. Stadium has also hosted international events such as the 2005 UEFA Champions League Final and numerous significant national sports events. These matches and events have contributed to the international recognition of Istanbul and Türkiye.