Galatasaray–Fenerbahçe Derby (26 April 2026)

The Galatasaray versus Fenerbahçe derby scheduled for 26 April 2026 is the 31st matchday fixture of the Trendyol Süper Lig. The match will be held at RAMS Park in Seyrantepe, and the referee appointed by the Turkish Football Federation Central Referee Committee is Yasin Kol. This encounter stands out against the backdrop of both teams’ positions in the league title race and the historical rivalry’s statistical significance. Ahead of the match, Galatasaray leads the league with 71 points, while Fenerbahçe is in second place with 67 points.

Head Coach Statistics and Team Performance

The match marks the 200th official game for Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk at the helm of the yellow-red team. Appointed before the 2022-2023 season, Buruk has recorded 142 wins, 28 draws and 29 losses in his previous 199 matches. During these games, Galatasaray scored 449 goals and conceded 205. Under Buruk’s leadership, the team has won five trophies including three consecutive Süper Lig titles. Additionally, records such as the 102-point milestone achieved in the 2023-2024 season and a 17-match unbeaten run including an away win streak were set during his tenure. In European competition, Galatasaray reached the round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League this season but was eliminated by English club Liverpool.

Seyrantepe (RAMS Park) Statistics

Since its opening on 15 January 2011, RAMS Park has hosted 16 league derbies between the two clubs, with each side securing five wins and six matches ending in draws. Galatasaray has scored 16 goals and Fenerbahçe 13 in these encounters. Fenerbahçe has lost only one of their last 10 league matches at this stadium, earning three wins and six draws in the remaining nine. The most prolific scorer in derbies played at Seyrantepe is Wesley Sneijder, who netted three goals while wearing the yellow-red jersey.

The Significance of the First Goal

Based on data from 65 league matches over the past 32 years, teams scoring the first goal have rarely lost. In this period, the side scoring first lost only five times. Galatasaray won 15 matches after scoring first, while Fenerbahçe won 25. Nine matches ended in goalless draws and 11 in draws with goals. In the 2025-2026 season statistics, Galatasaray has not lost any match in which they scored first; however, they won only two of the seven matches where they conceded the opening goal. On Fenerbahçe’s side, the team lost points in only four of the 18 matches where they scored first, and managed to win one of the five matches where they conceded the opening goal.

Foreign Players’ Goal Contributions

In the last 13 seasons, 30 derbies have produced a total of 48 goals, 40 of which were scored by foreign players. During this period, Galatasaray scored 26 goals and Fenerbahçe 22, with 23 of Galatasaray’s and 17 of Fenerbahçe’s goals coming from foreign players. Current squad members from both teams who have previously scored in derbies include Çağlar Söyüncü, Matteo Guendouzi, Jayden Oosterwolde, Victor Osimhen, Lucas Torreira, Gabriel Sara, Mauro Icardi and Leroy Sane.

Goalkeeper Performances

Uğurcan Çakır is expected to guard Galatasaray’s goal, while Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson will be in net for Fenerbahçe. Uğurcan Çakır has conceded 20 goals in 38 league appearances for Galatasaray and kept 13 clean sheets across all competitions in his 40 matches this season. Throughout his career, Çakır has played 16 matches against Fenerbahçe, conceding 27 goals. Ederson, in his 35 appearances this season, has conceded 34 goals and kept 13 clean sheets. In his Turkish career, Ederson has previously played in two Galatasaray derbies: one ended in a draw and the other in a Fenerbahçe victory.

Discipline and Card Statistics

In the last 20 official matches between the two clubs, referees have issued a total of 15 red cards and 142 yellow cards. During this period, Fenerbahçe players received 10 red cards and Galatasaray players received 5. In the most recent competition between the teams, the Turkcell Süper Cup match won 2-0 by Fenerbahçe, referees showed a total of seven yellow cards.

Club Administrations and Institutional Relations

The match also carries statistical significance for the club presidents. Galatasaray President Dursun Özbek will be experiencing his 17th Fenerbahçe derby during his two separate terms as president. Sadettin Saran, elected Fenerbahçe President on 21 September 2024, will be representing his club in his third Galatasaray derby in football. In terms of institutional developments ahead of the derby, Galatasaray President Dursun Özbek has officially announced the suspension of all relations with the current leadership of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF).

Historical Roots of the Rivalry and Comprehensive Statistics

General Overview and Origins

The 117-year rivalry began with a special match played on 17 January 1909 at the location then known as "Papazın Çayırı" (now the Chobani Stadium area), which ended with Galatasaray winning 2-0. To date, 405 matches have been played in this rivalry. Of these, 150 ended in victories for Fenerbahçe, 130 for Galatasaray, and 125 concluded in draws. One of Galatasaray’s victories was awarded by default. In terms of goals, Fenerbahçe has scored 546, while Galatasaray has responded with 505. In the 137 Super Lig matches played so far, the yellow-and-navy team has won 53, the yellow-and-red team 38, and 46 matches ended in draws. In Super Lig history, goal distribution stands at 165 in favor of Fenerbahçe and 134 in favor of Galatasaray. After the first match, Galatasaray did not concede a single goal to their rival in the next seven matches. Fenerbahçe, meanwhile, secured their first victory against their rival on 4 January 1914 at Union Club’s ground, winning 4-2.

Last 10 Matches and Stadiums

In the last 10 official matches between the two teams, Galatasaray’s dominance is evident. During this period, Galatasaray won five matches (one awarded by default), Fenerbahçe won two, and three matches ended in draws. In these last 10 matches, Galatasaray scored 15 goals while Fenerbahçe managed only six. A total of 19 different stadiums have hosted this rivalry throughout history. These include İstanbul İnönü, Ali Sami Yen, Fenerbahçe, Taksim, Şeref, Ankara 19 Mayıs, Atatürk Olympic, İzmir Atatürk, Ankaragücü, RAMS Park, Yeni Erzurum, Offenbach, Frankfurt, Köln, Mönchengladbach Borussia Park, Kayseri Kadir Has, Manisa 19 Mayıs, Antalya, and Şanlıurfa 11 Nisan.

Years of Drought and Spectator Statistics

Throughout history, both teams have experienced prolonged periods without winning against each other. Galatasaray failed to defeat their rival in 18 consecutive matches between 17 May 1942 and 1 December 1946. Fenerbahçe, on the other hand, endured an 11-match winless streak against their opponent between 20 November 1949 and 22 February 1953. The highest attendance in the history of this rivalry was recorded on 21 September 2003 at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, with 70,125 spectators present. The lowest attendance occurred on 17 November 1922 at İttihat Sahası, where only 14 unpaid spectators watched the match under heavy rain, officiated by referee Fethi Tahsin Başaran with an umbrella.

Notable Outcomes and Records in Derby History

Most Extreme Scores and High-Scoring Matches

Over the course of 405 derbies, the most frequently recorded scoreline is 1-0, which has appeared 75 times; the second most common is 2-1, occurring 50 times. The most lopsided result in derby history occurred on 12 February 1911 in the İstanbul League, when Galatasaray won 7-0. Under strong lodos winds, Galatasaray finished the match with six, then seven players, while Fenerbahçe completed it with nine players after their goalkeeper was injured. The scorers for Galatasaray were Şehit Celâl İbrahim (4), Emin Bülend (2), and Şehit İdris. Fenerbahçe’s most decisive victory came on 6 November 2002 at Şükrü Saraçoğlu Stadium, ending 6-0 with goals from Serhat Akın (2), Tuncay Şanlı, Ariel Ortega, Ceyhun Eriş, and Ümit Özat. Other notable results include Fenerbahçe’s 6-1 wins in 1936 (Şaban Topkanlı (2), Naci Bastoncu, Niyazi Sel, Ali Rıza Tansı, Esat Kaner), 1976 (Cemil Turan (3), Ömer Kaner (2), Engin Verel), and 1980 (5-0); and Galatasaray’s 5-0 wins in 1960 (Metin Oktay (4), Bahri Altıntabak) and the 2005 cup final (5-1). The highest-scoring matches, excluding penalty shootouts, were the 4-4 draws in the league match on 5 June 1983 and the Türkiye Kupası match on 7 February 2001.

Individual Records and Players Who Played for Both Clubs

In individual statistics, Fenerbahçe’s Zeki Rıza Sporel holds the record as the rivalry’s top scorer with 27 goals in 42 matches against Galatasaray. He is followed by Fenerbahçe’s Alaattin Baydar with 24 goals, Lefter Küçükandonyadis with 20 goals, and Galatasaray’s Metin Oktay with 19 goals. Tanju Çolak, who played for both clubs, scored 14 goals for Galatasaray and 8 for Fenerbahçe, totaling 22 goals. In league matches alone, Metin Oktay has 9 goals and Aykut Kocaman has 8. Players who scored four goals in a single match against their rival include Galatasaray’s Celal İbrahim, Cemil Gürgen, and Metin Oktay, and Fenerbahçe’s Zeki Rıza Sporel. The record for most appearances in derbies belongs to Turgay Şeren, who played 55 times as Galatasaray’s goalkeeper.

Numerous players have worn both Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe jerseys throughout history. These include Raşit Çetiner, Güngör Tekin, Erdoğan Arıca, Engin Verel, Mehmet Oğuz, Erhan Önal, Arif Kocabıyık, İlyas Tüfekçi, Tanju Çolak, Semih Yuvakuran, Selçuk Yula, Hasan Vezir, Benhur Babaoğlu, Elvir Boliç, Sedat Balkanlı, Saffet Sancaklı, Ahmet Yıldırım, Sergen Yalçın, Emre Aşık, Fatih Akyel, Elvir Baliç, Haim Michael Revivo, Abdullah Ercan, Mehmet Yozgatlı, Stjepan Tomas, Servet Çetin, Emre Belözoğlu, Caner Erkin, Kazım Kazım, Mehmet Topal, Burak Yılmaz, Olcan Adın, Serdar Aziz, Şener Özbayraklı, Tolga Ciğerci, Garry Rodrigues, Sinan Gümüş, Emre Mor, Michy Batshuayi, and Kerem Aktürkoğlu. Bahri Altıntabak, Şeref Has, and Nezihi Tosuncuk scored for both their own and the opposing goal; Naci Erdem and Mehmet Oğuz transferred to their rivals after serving as captain for their original clubs.

Disciplinary Reports, Controversial Incidents, and Sanctions

Fines and Ban Sanctions Imposed on Clubs

Over the last 16 seasons, the disciplinary costs of the 40 derbies have been heavy for both clubs. The Turkish Football Federation Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) has imposed a total fine of 12,281,500 Turkish Lira and seven match bans without spectators on Fenerbahçe during this period. Galatasaray has been fined 7,450,000 Turkish Lira and given three match bans without spectators.

A detailed breakdown by season reveals significant variations. For instance, in the first half of the 2025-2026 season, Fenerbahçe was fined 3,660,000 Turkish Lira while Galatasaray received a 1,300,000 Turkish Lira fine. After the Super Cup on 10 January 2026, Fenerbahçe was fined 330,000 Turkish Lira, while Galatasaray received a total of 1,320,000 Turkish Lira in fines due to ceremonial irregularities. Following the major pitch incidents after the 2018-2019 season’s first-half derby, Galatasaray officials received suspensions: Mustafa Cengiz (105 days), Fatih Terim (10 matches), Hasan Şaş (8 matches), Ryan Donk (6 matches), and Badou Ndiaye (5 matches); from Fenerbahçe, Jailson received an 8-match ban and Roberto Soldado a 6-match ban. In the 2024-2025 season, Fenerbahçe head coach Jose Mourinho received progressive and substantial disciplinary penalties: 150,000 Turkish Lira, a two-match ban (558,500 Turkish Lira), and a three-match ban (292,500 Turkish Lira) for various infractions.

Individual Maximum Sanctions and Abandoned Matches

The heaviest individual disciplinary sanction in derby history was imposed on Galatasaray’s Engin Baytar, who received an 11-match ban after attacking match officials during the TFF Super Cup match in Erzurum on 12 August 2012. One of the most significant incidents in the past occurred on 23 February 1934 at Taksim Stadium, when a major brawl among players led to the match being abandoned. After tensions spilled into the stands following a confrontation between Galatasaray’s Kadri Dağ and Fenerbahçe’s M. Reşat Nayir and Fikret Arıcan, the match was canceled and a total of 17 players from both teams received heavy sanctions. A notable recent incident occurred on 7 April 2024 during the TFF Super Cup match in Şanlıurfa: Fenerbahçe fielded its U19 team, and after Icardi scored in the first minute, the team withdrew from the pitch, resulting in the match being abandoned and awarded 3-0 to Galatasaray by default.

Examples of Sportsmanship and the Idea of a Combined Team in Rivalry History

Despite all the tensions, 117 years of rivalry have also produced notable moments of friendship. In the early years, players from both clubs reportedly shared rented homes and advised each other on rest before matches. In 1914, when several Galatasaray players fell ill or were injured, Fenerbahçe’s captain Galip Kulaksızoğlu proposed postponing the match; the rescheduled match was won by Galatasaray 6-1. During a heavy rainstorm in 1922, Fenerbahçe requested a postponement, but Galatasaray refused and played the match anyway, which Fenerbahçe won 3-0.

In the early years of the clubs, a merger was even considered. In 1912, Galatasaray president Ali Sami Yen and Fenerbahçe president Hulusi Bey signed an agreement to form a joint team to face foreign clubs. In 1934, players from both clubs fielded a combined team called "Fenerbahçe-Galatasaray Karması" (FenerSaray), wearing a uniform combining navy, yellow, and red colors, to face invited foreign teams.

The most celebrated fair-play act in recent history occurred on 6 November 2002, when Galatasaray suffered a 6-0 defeat at Kadıköy. At the time, Galatasaray president the late Özhan Canaydın stood and applauded every goal scored by Fenerbahçe and congratulated the opposing team’s officials. Despite criticism from his own fanbase, this gesture earned him the 2002 World Fair Play Award from the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP) and the Fair Play Sportsmanship Award from the Turkish National Olympic Committee (TMOK). Statistics also show that referees from the Czech Republic, England, Greece, Italy, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Romania, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Slovenia have occasionally officiated derbies.

Seasonal Status and League Statistics of the Teams

Galatasaray’s League Position and Statistics

Before matchweek 31 of the Super Lig, Galatasaray ranked first in the standings with 71 points accumulated over the previous 30 matchweeks. During this period, the yellow-and-red team secured 22 wins and 5 draws, suffering 3 defeats away from home. With 69 goals scored, Galatasaray is the league’s top-scoring team, and with only 23 goals conceded, they are also the league’s best defensive side. At home, Galatasaray has gone undefeated in their last 33 league matches, winning 26 and drawing 7. Their most recent home defeat came on 19 May 2024, when they lost 1-0 to Fenerbahçe. Among Europe’s top 10 leagues, Galatasaray is the only team among 33 sides with 10 or more home wins to have scored at least three goals in every home victory. After the international break, Galatasaray won two of their last five official matches, losing to Trabzonspor and Gençlerbirliği (cup), and defeating Göztepe and Gençlerbirliği (league), while drawing with Kocaelispor.

Fenerbahçe’s League Position and Statistics

Away team Fenerbahçe, with 19 wins, 10 draws, and 1 defeat over the past 30 matchweeks, accumulated 67 points to rank second in the league. Scoring 68 goals, Fenerbahçe is the league’s second most prolific attacking side after Galatasaray, while conceding 30 goals places them third in defensive statistics. In away matches, Fenerbahçe earned one win, one draw, and one defeat in their last three league games, totaling five points. However, in the previous eight away matches, they lost only two points. The first-half derby in Kadıköy this season ended in a 1-1 draw; Leroy Sane, who scored for Galatasaray, is noted as the player with the most opening goals for his team this season (5 matches). Additionally, Fenerbahçe was eliminated from the Türkiye Kupası after conceding a goal in the 120+2nd minute of extra time during their away match against Tümosan Konyaspor, ending their cup ambitions for the season.

Squads, Goal Distributions, and Disciplinary Status

Player Goal Statistics

Before the derby, goal-scoring responsibilities for both teams have been distributed as follows. For Galatasaray, Mauro Icardi leads with 14 goals, followed by Victor Osimhen with 12, Barış Alper Yılmaz and Leroy Sane with 7 each, Yunus Akgün with 6, Gabriel Sara with 5, and Eren Elmalı with 3. Additionally, İlkay Gündoğan, Wilfried Singo, and Lucas Torreira each scored two goals; Mario Lemina, Renato Nhaga, Sacha Boey, Roland Sallai, and Davinson Sanchez each scored one; and four goals were credited as own goals by opponents. For Fenerbahçe, Anderson Talisca leads with 16 goals, followed by Marco Asensio with 11, Dorgeles Nene with 10, and Kerem Aktürkoğlu with 6. Former players Yusuf En-Nesyri (7), Jhon Duran (3), and Sebastian Szymanski (1) remain on the record. Among current squad members, Archie Brown, Milan Skriniar, N'Golo Kante, and Sidiki Cherif each scored two goals; Mert Müldür, İsmail Yüksek, Nelson Semedo, Matteo Guendouzi, and Anthony Musaba each scored one.

Injuries, Absences, and Expected Lineups

Pre-match injury reports and absent player lists have been confirmed. Galatasaray has no absent players except Yaser Asprilla. Victor Osimhen, who fractured his arm and underwent surgery during the Liverpool match in the Champions League, is expected to play in the derby wearing a protective device after being tested in the cup match. For Fenerbahçe, Marco Asensio, who has been sidelined for two weeks due to injury, is reported to have resumed training and will feature in the match. The only reported absence for the away team is Edson Alvarez, who is still recovering from injury but is expected to play.

Galatasaray is expected to field Uğurcan, Sallai, Davinson, Abdülkerim, Jakobs, Lemina, Torreira, Sane, Sara, Barış, and Osimhen. Fenerbahçe is projected to start with Ederson, Semedo, Skriniar, Oosterwolde, Brown, Guendouzi, Kante, Nene, Asensio, Kerem, and Talisca. It is noted that if Kerem Aktürkoğlu, who previously scored two derby goals while playing for Galatasaray, scores in this match, he will become the fourth player in history to score for both clubs in this rivalry, following Tanju Çolak, Saffet Sancaklı, and Şevki Şenlen.

Players on the Yellow Card Threshold

Several players from both teams are on the yellow card threshold. If Galatasaray’s Eren Elmalı, Roland Sallai, and Uğurcan Çakır receive a yellow card, they will be suspended for the match against Samsunspor in matchweek 32. For Fenerbahçe, Nelson Semedo, Dorgeles Nene, Archie Brown, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Mert Müldür, Anthony Musaba, and Matteo Guendouzi are all on the threshold; if any of them receives a yellow card, they will be suspended for the next match against RAMS Başakşehir.

Head Coaches’ Derby Histories

Okan Buruk’s Statistics

Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has faced Fenerbahçe in 10 official matches as head coach, with seven in the Super Lig, two in the TFF Super Cup, and one in the Ziraat Türkiye Kupası. During this period, Galatasaray recorded five wins, three draws, and two defeats, scoring 15 goals while conceding six. Since the 2017-2018 season, Buruk has become the head coach with the most Super Lig victories against Fenerbahçe (six wins). Throughout his career, while managing Elazığspor, Gaziantepspor, Sivasspor, Akhisarspor, Çaykur Rizespor, and Başakşehir, Buruk faced Fenerbahçe in 12 league matches and one cup final, achieving two wins, one draw, and eight defeats. He won the cup final (2017-2018) as Akhisarspor’s coach by defeating Fenerbahçe. Buruk has also faced Beşiktaş in eight league matches and one Super Cup match, recording five wins, one draw, and three defeats.

Domenico Tedesco’s Statistics

Fenerbahçe head coach Domenico Tedesco has faced Galatasaray in two matches as head coach: one league match ended in a 1-1 draw, and the Super Cup match concluded with a 2-0 Fenerbahçe victory. During his tenure at Schalke 04 in the 2018-2019 season, Tedesco recorded a 0-0 draw away and a 2-0 home win against Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League group stage. As Fenerbahçe’s coach, he has faced Beşiktaş in three matches, winning two and losing one, giving him a total of three derby wins.

The derby match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe played on 26 April 2026 was the 31st matchday fixture of the Trendyol Süper Lig. The venue for the match was confirmed as RAMS Park in Seyrantepe, and the game was officiated by Yasin Kol, appointed by the Turkish Football Federation Central Referee Committee. Galatasaray won the derby 3-0 at home and maintained their position at the top of the league.

Head Coach Statistics and Team Performance

The match marks the 200th official game for Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk leading the yellow-red team. Appointed before the 2022-2023 season, Buruk has recorded 142 wins, 28 draws and 29 losses in his previous 199 matches. During these games Galatasaray scored 449 goals and conceded 205. Under Buruk’s leadership the team has won five trophies including three consecutive Süper Lig titles. Additionally records such as the 102-point milestone achieved in the 2023-2024 season and a 17-match unbeaten run as well as an away winning streak were all established during Okan Buruk’s tenure. In European competition Galatasaray reached the round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League this season but were eliminated by English side Liverpool and exited the tournament.

Seyrantepe (RAMS Park) Statistics

The statistics of RAMS Park which opened on 15 January 2011 stand out in the league rivalry between the two clubs. In the 16 league derbies played at the stadium so far both teams have won five matches each and six ended in draws. Galatasaray has scored 16 goals and Fenerbahçe 13 in these matches. Fenerbahçe has lost only one of their last 10 league matches against their rivals at this stadium winning three and drawing six. The most prolific scorer in derbies held at Seyrantepe is Wesley Sneijder who scored three goals while wearing the yellow-red jersey.

The Significance of the First Goal

Based on data from the last 32 years of competition covering 65 league matches the team scoring the first goal has rarely lost. In this period the side scoring first lost only five times. Galatasaray won 15 matches after scoring first and Fenerbahçe won 25 matches after taking the lead. Nine matches ended in goal draws and 11 ended goalless. Looking at the 2025-2026 season statistics Galatasaray did not lose any match in which they scored first. However in the seven matches where they conceded the first goal they won only twice. For Fenerbahçe the team lost points in only four of the 18 matches where they scored first and managed to win all five matches where they conceded the first goal.

Foreign Players’ Goal Contributions

In the last 13 seasons 30 derby matches have produced a total of 48 goals of which 40 were scored by foreign players. During this period Galatasaray scored 26 goals and Fenerbahçe 22. Of these 23 of Galatasaray’s goals and 17 of Fenerbahçe’s were scored by foreign players. Current squad members Çağlar Söyüncü Matteo Guendouzi Jayden Oosterwolde Victor Osimhen Lucas Torreira Gabriel Sara Mauro Icardi and Leroy Sane have all previously scored in past derbies.

Goalkeeper Performances

In this derby Galatasaray’s goal will be guarded by Uğurcan Çakır and Fenerbahçe’s by Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson. Uğurcan Çakır has conceded 20 goals in 40 league appearances for Galatasaray and kept 13 clean sheets across all competitions this season. Throughout his career Çakır has played 16 matches against Fenerbahçe conceding 27 goals. Fenerbahçe goalkeeper Ederson has conceded 34 goals in 35 appearances this season and kept 13 clean sheets. In his Turkish career Ederson has previously played in two Galatasaray derbies one ending in a draw and the other in a Fenerbahçe victory.

Discipline and Card Statistics

In the last 20 official matches between the two teams referees have issued a total of 15 red cards and 142 yellow cards. During this period Fenerbahçe players were sent off 10 times and Galatasaray players 5 times. In the most recent competition between the clubs the Turkcell Süper Cup match which ended in a 2-0 victory for Fenerbahçe referees showed a total of seven yellow cards.

Club Administrations and Institutional Relations

The match also carries statistical significance for the club presidents. Galatasaray President Dursun Özbek will experience his 17th Fenerbahçe derby during his two separate terms as president. Sadettin Saran elected as Fenerbahçe President on 21 September 2024 will represent his club in his third Galatasaray derby in the football branch during his tenure. Regarding institutional developments prior to the derby Galatasaray President Dursun Özbek officially announced the suspension of all relations with the current leadership of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF).