Is Fenerbahçe Stadium moving? An official statement has been made.

15.04.2026 18:41

Fenerbahçe Board Member Adem Köz stated that work on the development of the stadium is ongoing and that they are considering a comprehensive renovation. Köz also noted that due to the stadium's location, the work will be difficult, and expressed that improvements can be made on the existing structure.

Adem Köz, the Fenerbahçe Board Member responsible for Stadium Management, made statements to the İHA reporter regarding the planned reinforcement works, projects, capacity increase, stand safety, living stadium model, season tickets, Maraton E block, and ticketing method for the Şükrü Saracoğlu Sports Complex, where the Fenerbahçe football A team plays its matches.

"WE ARE CONSIDERING A COMPREHENSIVE RECYCLING"

Especially upon the reminder of the debates on social media about the stadium being relocated and the statements by Fenerbahçe High Council Chairman Şekip Mosturoğlu in response, stating that relocating the stadium is not possible, Adem Köz made the following assessment: "Fenerbahçe stadium is very special for all of us. At the same time, this is where Turkish football was born. Our stadium, located in the area known as Papazın Çayırı, is currently our heart. We have no agenda such as relocating the stadium from here. We have talks about its development and arrangement; relocation is not in question. In fact, as a result of our investments here, we are considering a comprehensive recycling regarding Fenerbahçe Stadium."

"REINFORCEMENT OF THE STADIUM IS A VITAL ISSUE FOR THE CLUB"

Speaking about the reinforcement works, Köz said: "Reinforcement and capacity increase issues are comprehensive processes. Regarding this, Fenerbahçe as an institution acts together with its past, and we are continuing this. Our stadium is in a completely reliable environment against Earthquake and Safety Regulations. With the enlargement of the stadium, new additional measures need to be taken. Their planning continues along with all of these. This is a vital issue for the club. Since it is a matter that needs to be started considering the match schedule and other factors, our work is currently ongoing."

"INFORMATION IS AWAITED FROM THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS"

Adem Köz also shared the latest status regarding the retractable seat application for the standing stands tested behind the goals recently with the following words:

"Teams like Beşiktaş and Göztepe also made this application together with us. The Ministry of Youth and Sports has not yet given a clear answer. A clear answer has not come because they have not completed their technical examinations and the technical specifications for evacuation and other matters. It is not just an issue for us; since the decision to be given will be valid for all stadiums in Turkey, information is awaited from the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The matter is currently on hold."

"WE ARE VERY SENSITIVE ABOUT HUMAN SAFETY"

Regarding what risks were identified in the technical inspections conducted at the stadium, the yellow-navy blue board member stated: "According to the reports given, our stadium is in a very safe condition. We had lost our brother Koray Şener due to a heart attack during an away match. Therefore, we are very sensitive about human safety. In case of any sudden illness of any of our fans, stadium security and our health personnel intervene immediately. We possess all equipment related to this. All our preparations are very good."

"IT WAS STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO SITUATION OF PLAYING MATCHES IN ANOTHER STADIUM"

Answering the question of how planning is done during stadium renovation, Adem Köz gave an example from the construction work done in the 2000s: "I personally witnessed the stadium enlargement stage in 1999 and 2000. Actually, we were only going to enlarge the behind-goal areas of our stadium, and the Maraton and Numbered Stands would remain. After building two stands, we saw that this could also be done in Maraton, so we did it gradually and played all our matches here. In the projects presented to us and previously worked on, it was said that the roofs on the towers would be removed and the operations would be carried out, and thus the material to be used for reinforcement activities outside would be produced and the operations would be applied here, so it was expressed that there would be no situation of playing matches in another stadium. This situation was the result of the work of that day. If there is a larger work in the coming days and if construction starts, we cannot foresee how it will be at the moment."

"IMPROVEMENT CAN BE MADE ON TOP OF THE EXISTING IN F. BAHÇE STADIUM"

Adding that strengthening an existing structure would be difficult, Adem Köz made the following statement: "We will not be able to do everything we want. An improvement can be made on top of the existing. Some improvements can be made very quickly in the Fenerium Stand. Especially in terms of using social areas. Of course, our behind-goal areas and Maraton Stand have limited space. Here, along with capacity increase, environmental arrangement is also very important. It is not just an issue related to us; it is an issue concerning the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization. Already, match exits are intense and crowded. I experienced this in England too. To avoid causing a stampede during entries and exits at Wembley, they would stop people at certain points and make them wait. Therefore, the job is not finished by enlarging the stadium; the environmental order and transportation to here must also be taken into consideration."

"WE MUST INCREASE OUR FANS' HABIT OF COMING TO MATCHES"

Fenerbahçe Board Member Adem Köz also gave information regarding capacity increase. Köz said: "The situation is more about using it effectively rather than enlarging the stadium. Fenerbahçe Stadium has the highest occupancy rate, but according to the current situation, it can sometimes be left alone. We are full in some matches, we fall behind in certain matches. The important situation here is actually to increase our fans' habit of coming to matches. Then, in the next situation, it is necessary to think about how economical and reasonable the capacity increase will be. I don't think that just a capacity increase will provide a benefit due to our ticket shortage in a Galatasaray or Beşiktaş match."

ENGLAND MODEL IN SARACOĞLU

The yellow-navy blue executive, sharing his impressions about his recent visit to England and his experiences, said: "This trip was very productive. We had our trip for the maintenance of the grass surface on our field and purchasing the necessary equipment for this maintenance. The company there hosted us. We visited about 6 stadiums. We visited 3 club buildings. We need to take inspiration from England technologically and in terms of layout. They are achieving this transformation. Stadiums have turned into a livable area beyond just a place where matches are played. We have space constraints where our stadium is located. It is difficult to realize these all at once, but if we can provide the standardization there here in certain matters at least, we will have benefited our club."

"WE CAN TRANSFORM OUR OWN STADIUM INTO A LIVING SPACE"

Speaking about the economic and social contributions of the stadium to its region, Adem Köz continued as follows:

"We see that European stadiums are used not only on match days but also outside of match days. They hold concerts or events very comfortably. Some living spaces have also been created. They have turned cafes and the implementation of social responsibility projects within the stadium on weekdays into a norm. The Tottenham Stadium transforms into a venue capable of holding a concert within 4-5 hours; its pitch is lifted and not damaged. It is designed accordingly. The VIP sections and lounge areas are very well planned. It has been transformed into a living space. And it attracts a lot of attention. We can also do these in our own stadium."

"WE ARE PREPARING A LOYALTY PROGRAM FOR SEASON TICKETS"

Adem Köz touched upon the decisions the board of directors will make regarding season tickets for the next season. Köz said, "We have serious work regarding the number of season tickets. Especially when I look at the statistics, before we came into management, it was around 25,000; with us, it increased to around 32,000. Because we had promised season tickets. The participation rate within these 32,000 season tickets is very low. Season ticket turnovers, transfers, and non-attendance situations; when we look at the season as a whole, it remains low. We will increase participation. A rule was set at the beginning of this season; the 12-match rule. We will not renew the season tickets of holders who do not comply with this rule. Thus, we will make room for those waiting in line. For those who attend 12 matches or more, we plan to apply extra discounts due to their loyalty. The main goal here is not to limit the number but to maximize participation. Therefore, we will have around 30,000 season ticket sales. But we will not provide flexibility in the 12-match rule. It will exclude health problems and some special circumstances. For our fans coming from Anatolia; ticket access is very important. We are preparing a loyalty program. There must be a rule for how someone buys a ticket. For our fans from Anatolia, we are considering setting a separate quota and evaluating within that quota. It is difficult to access Fenerbahçe match tickets, but we will explain in more detail the reasons for this access. Time is needed for this. From now on, instead of limiting season tickets, we need to focus on the effective part. In Europe, you cannot find tickets for most matches. Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, teams in England; all of them have loyalty programs. Our target regarding the number of season tickets is around 30,000, but we can revise it."

"THE OLD INTEGRITY WILL BE RESTORED IN THE MARATON LOWER STAND"

Regarding Maraton Block E, which has become a topic of discussion among the yellow-navy blue fans, Adem Köz said, "Our construction unit has started work on Maraton Lower Block E. It will be restored to its former state. There will be no loss of income here; we will also gain extra income because the number of seats will increase. The dining area below will also be preserved in the same way. The special VIP status there will continue, and sales will be foreseen optionally throughout the entire Maraton Lower Stand, according to the pricing there. The old integrity will be restored. This was a promise we made before the election; we will realize it. Currently, there are season ticket holder rights there; we can start an arrangement there after the season ends. Matches are currently ongoing; we will realize this at the end of the season."

"WE SIGNED A DEAL WITH PASSOLİG THAT IS TWICE AS GOOD"

Reminding that the Fenerbahçe administration recently made a new agreement with Passolig, the Fenerbahçe executive said it would take time for the club to implement its own ticketing system. Köz concluded his words by saying, "All teams in Turkey entered electronic ticketing, we entered one year later. At that time, our President Aziz Yıldırım stood firm and also worked on making our own ticket. Then, due to some legal difficulties, we had to continue with Passolig. At the point we have reached today, until one year ago, the sole service provider was again Passolig. Later, other companies also started to get involved. Clubs can also make their own ticketing systems in the future. Currently, there is no team that has its own ticketing system. Starting this project and building its infrastructure will take a certain amount of time. Investment is required for this. You cannot immediately say today, 'I make and sell my own ticket.' Because on one side there is the TFF, and on the other side, there is the e-government aspect. Due to integration, security issues, and making the technology and application to provide these will take a certain amount of time. When we took office, our contract with Passolig had ended. Because these studies did not exist, when we asked, it was stated that these studies for the technical infrastructure could take 2 or 3 years. Under these conditions, to act quickly, we made an agreement with Passolig. We signed a deal that is twice as good."