This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
Erzurumspor is a professional football club representing the city of Erzurum in eastern Türkiye, with blue and white as its official colors. Erzurumspor Football Club currently continues its professional league activities under the club code 010491 in the records of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF).
The first steps toward organizing the club as a professional entity were taken on 28 December 1967. At a meeting chaired by Hilmi Nalbantoğlu, Avni Özden, Kemal Özgür, Muhittin Ketecioğlu, Zekai Önalan, Türker Dalkılıç, Muammer Özkavcı, Zühtü Akbaba, İrfan Çelik and İrfan Pasin came together to initiate the founding effort. Later, Raci Karakaş and Sadi Göncüoğlu also joined this initiative. The establishment of Erzurumspor was officially certified by a notary on 29 January 1968. The provisional board proposed the unification of amateur teams in the province, and only Aziziye Gençlik Spor Kulübü responded positively to this call. At the general assembly held on 11 February 1968, the club’s name was formally adopted as “Erzurumspor”.
The first congress was held on 14 February 1968, and Hilmi Nalbantoğlu was elected president. Some sources indicate that Nihat Kitapçı also played a significant role among the founding presidents. In its first season, the club’s application to join the professional league through the General Directorate of Physical Education was rejected, so it competed in special matches that season. Later, during the presidency of Ali Sırrı Kuşkay, and with the initiative of then Prime Minister Süleyman Demirel, the club was admitted to the 1969–1970 Turkish Professional Third League Red Group, which consisted of 21 teams. Selahattin Ünlü served as the team’s first head coach, with players such as Necati Yankılar, Fikret Duran, Fuat Sucu and Ercan Güngör in the squad. The club completed its first professional season in 11th place with 43 points.
During the 1972–1973 season, under the management of Turgut Kafkas, Erzurumspor gained significant momentum in the Third League Green Group. The club won 17 matches and drew 7 of its 24 games, becoming undefeated champions and earning promotion to the Second League. This achievement secured its place in world football history alongside the Portuguese club Benfica. The team was relegated again in the 1973–1974 season but returned to the Second League in the 1978–1979 season.
After many years competing in lower divisions, the club finished top of the Second League Group 4 in the 1997–1998 season and won the promotion play-offs, earning promotion to the First League (now known as the Super League) for the first time in its history. Under the technical direction of Sadi Tekelioğlu and the club presidency of Cemal Polat, the team achieved this championship despite difficult physical and financial conditions. Players trained on snow-covered pitches cleared by graders and stayed in facilities heated only by coal stoves. The championship squad, led by captain Kürşat Karakaş, reunited at Erzurumspor’s facilities in October 2025, exactly 27 years later, to recall those historic moments. The team competed in the Super League for three seasons, finishing 17th (some records list 16th) in the 2000–2001 season and being relegated again.
After relegation from the Super League, the club entered severe economic difficulties and was further relegated from the Second League A Category in the 2002–2003 season. Weakened by seizures and legal proceedings, Erzurumspor failed to field teams for two matches during the 2009–2010 season in the TFF Second League due to financial impossibilities and was subsequently demoted to the amateur league by federation decision.
Due to its inability to hold two consecutive ordinary general assemblies, the club’s situation was brought before the courts. On 9 June 2015, the Erzurum First Civil Court of Peace ruled to officially dissolve the legendary Erzurumspor association founded in 1968. The club, whose last president was Coşkun Aslan, was liquidated in a manner that prevented the reuse of its name.
Following Erzurumspor’s relegation to the amateur tier and its descent into debt, a new organizational structure was created to meet the city’s football needs. Founded on 24 March 1972 and operating under the name “Belde Spor Gençlik Kulübü” since 2005, the club was integrated into the Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality. In the 2010–2011 season, adopting blue and white colors and changing its name to Erzurum Büyükşehir Belediyespor, the team finished first in its group in the Regional Amateur League and earned promotion to the Third League.
The club’s name was later changed to Erzurum Büyükşehir Belediyespor. With the support of Mayor Mehmet Sekmen and leadership by figures such as Saim Özakalın and Ali Demirhan, the club experienced rapid growth. In the 2015–2016 season, the club won the Third League Group 1 championship and lifted the trophy in a ceremony held at Kazım Karabekir Stadium. Immediately afterward, in the 2016–2017 season, the team was promoted from the Second League to the TFF First League.
In the 2017–2018 season play-off final, the club faced Gazi Şehir FK and won the match thanks to crucial penalty saves by goalkeeper Hakan Canbazoğlu, earning promotion to the Super League for the first time in its history. This steady rise from the Third League to the Super League in a short period is recorded as a new turning point in the club’s history.
After being relegated from the Super League in the 2018–2019 season, Erzurumspor achieved promotion back to a higher division the following season (2019–2020). One of the most memorable matches in the club’s Super League years was its victory against Galatasaray during the 2018–2019 season, played under heavy snowfall.
The 2020–2021 season was highly turbulent for Erzurumspor. The club underwent multiple managerial changes, appointed five different head coaches, and made numerous player transfers, yet still finished just one point short of safety and was relegated again. That same season, the team reached the quarter-finals of the Turkish Cup, demonstrating a strong performance in the competition. In the 2021–2022 season, under president Ömer Düzgün and subsequent management by Erkan Sözeri and then Muzaffer Bilazer, the team qualified for the play-offs but was eliminated by İstanbulspor, losing its chance to return to the Super League.
According to Turkish Football Federation records, Ahmet Dal is listed as the club president. The current board of directors includes Veysi Ayhan (Vice President), Veysel Çınar (Deputy President, Financial Affairs), Çetin Gözütok (Assistant President, Legal Affairs), Burak Han Gözgeç (Assistant President, Advertising and Sponsorship), Erdem Bentoğlu (General Secretary), and administrators Cabbar Erdoğan, Necip Fazıl Kishalı, Cengiz Durular, Emre Aytekin, Mehmet Çinik, Yavuz Tahtacı, Yakup Tekin, Şadi Çıran, Melikşah Tekin, Akın Altunışık and Muhammed Furkan Erdemir. The blue and white team’s alternative kits, including grey, navy and striped designs, as well as special goalkeeper kits in green, grey and purple, are officially registered with the TFF system.
The team plays its home matches at the Erzurum Kazım Karabekir Stadium. Built in 1968, the stadium is named after Kazım Karabekir, a commander of the Turkish War of Independence. After a detailed restoration in 2011, the stadium’s capacity was increased to 21,374, although some official records list different seating figures. The stadium features natural grass and a lighting system. Following allegations of damage to the Marathon Stand during the February 6 earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, the club temporarily hosted fans only in the goal-end (North and South) stands.
Erzurumspor conducts its first team and youth academy activities at the Yüksek İrtifa Kamp Merkezi (High Altitude Training Center). Located at an elevation of 2,000 meters at the foot of Palandöken Mountain, this facility provides advantages in oxygen levels and climate that enhance the physical conditioning of teams. The center includes 11 pitches—five of which meet FIFA standards—as well as fitness rooms and medical and rehabilitation units. Additionally, the club operates a comprehensive football academy for youth teams ranging from U10 to U19. Identified young talents are integrated into the professional squad through structured training programs.
Erzurumspor stands out among Anatolian clubs for having one of the largest fan bases. Despite the region’s harsh climate, supporters consistently fill the stadium to back the team, becoming synonymous with the club’s identity as “dadaş”.
The most prominent expressions of the club’s fan culture are the chants sung in the stands. Among these, “Erzurumspor Sen Çok Yaşa” and “Dadaşlar Yürüyor” stand out. These chants symbolize both the team’s struggle and the fans’ loyalty, generating positive motivation for players during critical moments of matches. Their unwavering support, especially during away games and even during weeks when the team lost points, is considered one of the most important factors behind the club’s sporting achievements.
After two challenging seasons marked by transfer bans and stadium issues, Erzurumspor FK entered the 2025–2026 season with a stable plan. Under head coach Serkan Özbalta, the club lifted its transfer ban, retained its existing squad, and added 11 new players. The team began the season with a victory against Özbelsan Sivasspor and then embarked on a 12-match winning streak starting in December. During this period, the team scored 38 goals and conceded only three, with the streak ending in a 3–1 defeat to Eminevim Ümraniyespor.
Erzurumspor - Bodrumspor match after (AA)
During the season, the club recorded its most remarkable victories by defeating Adana Demirspor 7–0 and Manisa FK 8–1. Two weeks before the end of the league, Erzurumspor FK drew 1–1 away against Sipay Bodrum FK, reaching 79 points and mathematically securing promotion to the Super League. This point total broke the previous record of 78 points set by İstanbul Başakşehir and Samsunspor under the three-point system, becoming the highest points total in league history. Striker Eren Tozlu finished as the team’s top scorer with 21 goals, followed by Mustafa Fettahoğlu with 10. Defender Mustafa Yumlu and goalkeeper Matija Orbanic of Croatia played pivotal roles in the team’s success.
2025–26 season championship celebrations (AA)
Following the championship, fans celebrated enthusiastically through city parades and motorcades. However, planned official championship events were postponed by the management due to tragic incidents in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş, as well as the passing of club president Ahmet Dal’s mother. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, and Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak issued messages congratulating the club on its achievement.
Erzurumspor championship celebrations (AA)
The championship celebrations began with a city tour organized from the club’s facilities in the Yakutiye district. The blue and white players, coaching staff, and executives toured the city in a specially arranged open-top bus. Along the route, Erzurumspor supporters accompanied the team bus with club flags, fireworks, and torches, gathering in large numbers along the streets.
After completing the city tour, the championship caravan entered the Erzurum Rally and Event Area, where the trophy ceremony was held. The program began with an official opening, followed by a moment of silence and the recitation of the İstiklal Marşı. Performances by the mehter ensemble and zeybek group from Atatürk University’s Special Foundation Schools were presented, and the Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality’s bar team staged a show. Spectators filled the area, holding banners expressing their loyalty to the team.
Erzurumspor championship celebrations (AA)
In later segments of the event, speeches were delivered to attendees by sports bureaucrats and club officials. TFF Vice President Mecnun Otyakmaz emphasized the team’s outstanding performance, especially in the second half of the season, and congratulated all those involved, particularly club president Ahmet Dal and honorary president Mehmet Sekmen.
Erzurumspor FK Honorary President Mehmet Sekmen stated that this achievement was not merely a sporting victory but also a reflection of the unity, solidarity, and determination within the city. Club president Ahmet Dal emphasized that the championship was not achieved quickly, but was the result of years of hard work, patience, and unwavering dedication to the club’s emblem despite hardships. Dal affirmed that this milestone was no accident and that efforts would continue to elevate the club to even higher levels.
Erzurumspor championship celebrations (AA)
Following the conclusion of the official speeches, members of the coaching staff and players who contributed to the championship were called onto the stage one by one and presented with medals. After the medal distribution, the championship trophy was handed to club members, and a ceremonial lifting of the trophy took place on stage. The celebration concluded with a fireworks display and a musical performance by singer Merve Özbey.
No Discussion Added Yet
Start discussion for "Erzurumspor Football Club" article
Founding and Early Years
First Sporting Achievements and Promotion to the Super League
Financial Crises and Court-Ordered Dissolution
Establishment of Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality Erzurumspor
Recent Super League and First League Campaigns
Corporate Structure, Stadium and Facilities
Fan Culture and Chants
2025–26 Season Squad
Head Coach
Goalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
2025–2026 Season: Championship Achieved with Records
Championship Celebrations
City Tour and Welcome
Erzurum Rally and Event Area Program
Official Speeches
Medal Presentation, Trophy Ceremony and Closing
