History Ali Sami Yen Stadium

1 history

1.1 galatasaray needs new stadium
1.2 taksim mecidiyeköy
1.3 mecidiyeköy stadi
1.4 ali sami yen stadi / expansion
1.5 new stadium project
1.6 renovation , new eski açık stand
1.7 final end

history
galatasaray needs new stadium

football first played in istanbul british players in field known papazın Çayırı (priest’s field) in area site of fenerbahçe s Şükrü saracoğlu stadium. opening of taksim stadı in 1921, located inside courtyard of ottoman era taksim artillery barracks (taksim topçu kışlası) built sultan abdülmecid in 1840s; surrounding walls of transformed tribunes. new stadium became new football headquarters. in urban development of 1939, military barracks in taksim stadium located demolished in 1940. stadium lost. in period, fenerbahçe bought land encompassing papazın Çayırı , built fenerbahçe stadium, while beşiktaş club moved Şeref stadı, located in area today’s Çırağan palace stands. galatasaray experienced biggest problem use of stadium in period. first steps overcome problem taken in initial years of 1930s. first initiative acquire plot of land galatasaray in 1933, when president of club ali haydar barşal showed interest in mulberry orchard in mecidiyeköy.

from taksim mecidiyeköy

in period 1933-35, discussions held government resulted in allocation of plot of land outside of city limits in mecidiye köyü (mecidiye village) stadium built galatasaray. excavations construction began in 1936. president of turkish sports organization @ time, adnan menderes, provided financial assistance project. efforts left in excavation stage however. in 1940, matter of stadium came again under presidency of tevfik ali Çınar. same plot of land leased galatasaray term of 30 years @ symbolical yearly rental fee of 1 lira. galatasaray acquired right use of land. in leasing land, galatasaray committed building modern stadium bicycle velodrome. construction not start, however, due limited funds , general atmosphere of war years. in 1943, osman dardağan led initiative build modest stadium answer immediate need.

mecidiyeköy stadi

in atmosphere of war, small open tribune allowed in stadium, set on field of earth , inaugurated under presidency of muslihittin peykoğlu in 1945. distance city center in days, however, inaccessibility public transportation, , rough winds characterized district factors contributed long period in stadium lay idle , football games never took place. when İnönü stadium in center of city opened in period, galatasaray abandoned stadium building project in mecidiyeköy, putting project aside before fruition. in 1955, 30 more years added right of utilization agreement, @ time had 22 years go, extending terms until 2007. when club failed undertake building of stadium, project taken on physical education general directorate. construction started in 1959. in 1961, during presidency of refik selimoğlu, new agreement signed physical education general directorate whereby utilization rights of newly completed stadium explicitly given galatasaray.

ali sami yen stadi / expansion

ali sami yen stadi inaugurated on december 20, 1964, friendly game between turkey , bulgaria. unfortunately, tragedy struck during opening match: in 1 of stands many people fell onto first floor, caused numerous injuries, luckily none of them fatal. spotlights added stadium in 1965, , night games began played. despite this, however, not many night games played. @ beginning of 1970s, stadium abandoned period during İnönü stadium began used again. in 70s, stadium used galatasaray training sessions. in years, remained in squalid state of neglect. in 1981, grass planted on field , stadium opened again. lighting system renewed in 1993, after night games began played once more. in same year, system of combined tickets initiated in turkey @ ali sami yen stadı. in same year, stadium furnished seats replace old benches. standing room @ stadium reduced 35,000 seating capacity 22,000.

new stadium project

1997, galatasaray administration assigned canadian architectural firm job of designing turkey’s first multi-function, modern stadium built in place of ali sami yen stadı, planned torn down. new stadium project launched in 1998 , attracted wide interest. during promotion of modern loge system, entire loge section sold @ symbolical fee. search began funds finance construction of new stadium. because of club’s difficult financial situation @ time, needed funds not found. on period of 2001-2002, revision made in project eye toward reducing amount needed financing time, although costs brought down, economic crisis of 2001 stood in way of overcoming financial issue. in 2003 -2004 season, old project came again abandoned in favor of building new , modern stadium. again, financing needs not met. because mecidiyeköy part of city center, state authorities objected expansion of stadium in district. new piece of land suggested galatasaray alternative. search financing new stadium built on new plot continued on period 2004-2007.

renovation , new eski açık stand

after general renovation took place in 2004-2005 season, club returned ali sami yen. following earthquake of 1999, old open tribune demolished , replaced in 2005-2006 season reasons of safety. in 2007, discussions state authorities on construction of new galatasaray stadium in aslantepe yielded positive results. decided new stadium built within 2 years on new plot transferred galatasaray in return club s handing on property on ali sami yen stood.

the final end

at end of 2007, ten years after initial announcement of project in 1997, groundbreaking new stadium carried out (december 13, 2007) @ ceremony attended state officials. old project put aside , new project contracted mete arat in germany. in 2008, galatasaray’s last year @ ali sami yen, lower closed tribune renovated in line uefa standards. construction of new stadium, türk telekom arena, gained speed when contracting company changed in 2009. announced official opening of new stadium take place on january 15, 2010. new stadium inaugurated on january 15, 2011.