Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadyumu

The site of the present Şükrü Saracoğlu was first used for football in 1908. It then served as a community stadium for many of the city's clubs, but lost its importance in the 1920s after the opening of Taksim Stadium.

Fenerbahce made the ground their home in 1929, and soon after bought the ground. From then on the ground went by the name of Fenerbahçe Stadı.

In the late 1940s, Fenerbahce Stadi could hold about 25,000 people. It consisted of one small covered main stand and open terraces on the other sides.

The ground was further expanded in the over the over the over the over the following decades, and was renamed in 1998 in honour of former Turkish and club president Şükrü Saracoğlu.

One year later, extensive major renovation works started, leading to the reBuilding work on all four stands and the installation of a new roof, a process that was completed in 2006.

In 2009, Sukru Saracoglu was the venue for the UEFA Cup final that was contested between Shakthar Donetsk and Werder Bremen (2-1).

(images of the current Sukru Saracoglu Stadium below)

Sukru Saracoglu stands on the Asian side of the city of Istanbul, quite close to the bank of the Bosphorus in the historic district Kadikoy.

The ground is situated at a short 15-minute walk from the Kadikoy pier, where the ferries from the western side of the city (e.g. Eminonu or Besiktas) embark.

The ground also lies at a short walk from Haydarpaşa train station, where most trains from Turkey's inland arrive.

Address: Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu Stadyumu, Istanbul

Sukru Saracoglu Stadium is situated in the lively Kadikoy district, which means that there are many bars, cafés, and restaurants a small walk away. You are likely to bump into anything of your liking on your way from the ferry to the ground, but if not, head to Kadife Street, where visitors will find a nice selection of bars.

Visitors will find also a large number of hotels close to the ground. The My Dora Hotel, Khalkedon Hotel, and Hotel Timya are all an approximate 10-minute walk away and get good reviews. The Double Tree by Hilton is a more luxurious alternative.

Use the linked guides To browse hotels near Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, and here for hotels on the European side of Istanbul.

Admission for Fenerbahce games are available through Passo.com.tr.

As with all matches in Turkey, you need to possess a Passolig card to be able to buy tickets and enter the ground. In the case of foreigners this is a pre-paid card. You can apply for a card on the Passolig website.