Tupras Stadyumu

The Tupras Stadyumu is one of the most modern stadiums in Turkey, having only opened in 2016. It is the home of Besiktas and has a capacity of 42,684.

From the outside, the stadium looks like a colosseum, which is fitting for the area of Istanbul it is located in. Meanwhile, the flat roof that sits on top of the stands is akin to the Allianz Arena in Munich. This roof ensures that supporters in all stands are protected from the elements, whether that be intense heat or rain.

The stands are designed like waves, which is another unique feature of the Tupras Stadyumu. The height of each stand decreases in the corners and widens centrally.

The facilities in and around the stadium are excellent, as you would expect for a modern stadium with UEFA Category 4 accreditation. Fans have plenty of space in their seats and in the concourses, where toilets and bars can be found.

Away fans are typically located in blocks 405, 405 and 406 at the Tupras Stadyumu. These blocks are in the top corner between the West and North stands.

Turkish football is famed for vibrant and noisy atmospheres, and Besiktas fans absolutely play their part in that. Some of the chants you can expect to hear on a trip to the Tupras Stadyumu include:

• Ooh Ssh!
• Gundogdu
• Besiktasım Hayat Sensin
• Kurabiye Fener
• Burasi Besiktas Alayına Gider

Tifos are a big part of Turkish football culture. In fact, arguably the most famous tifo in football history was created by Galatasaray fans in the 1990s when Manchester United visited Istanbul. It read ‘Welcome to Hell’ and is still spoken about today.

Check out some of Besiktas’ famous tifos below:

Zafere Kadar Daima

Istanbul to Stockholm

Burasi Besiktas

As a modern stadium, you will do well to find a seat at the Tupras Stadyumu that doesn’t have an excellent view of the pitch. That doesn’t mean to say that there aren’t ‘ideal’ places to sit, though.

The best views can be found in the East and West Stands, which both run alongside the sides of the pitch on either side. The West Stand contains a lot of VIP areas, which means you have a greater chance of securing tickets in the East Stand.

Try to get tickets in the most central blocks for the optimal view. These are blocks 115 and 116 in the lower tier and blocks 415 and 416 in the upper tier.

Interestingly, the East Stand is also where the Besiktas ultras congregate. In most stadiums, ultras are located behind one of the goals, but this isn’t the case at the Tupras Stadyumu

Seating plan

Drinking around Istanbul has its dangers on a matchday, but it isn’t as sketchy as it once was. Taksim Square is considered a safe area to drink and socialise before a match if you are visiting the city for a Besiktas match. There are plenty of bars close to Taksim Square, including:

• Des Corner Pub – Şehit Muhtar, Zambak Sk. No:1, 34435 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
• Arsen Lupen – Şehit Muhtar, Mis Sk. no:15/4, 34340 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye
• Corner Irish Pub – Asmalı Mescit Meşrutiyet Cd. No:11/A Galatasaray, 34430 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye

Football fans can enjoy plenty of food options at the Tupras Stadyumu. Local cuisine, such as Doner Durum and other kebabs are available on the concourses, while there are also lighter options for those who don’t need anything too substantial.

In terms of drinks, no alcohol is served at the stadium. However, visiting fans should try some Salep, a creamy, hot Turkish drink. Other soft drinks are also available.

If you would rather have a bite to eat away from the stadium, either before kick-off or after the full-time whistle, then you are not short of options in Istanbul. Some of the nicest and most reasonably priced options are as follows:

• Hanzade Bosphorus Restaurant – Hoca Paşa, İstasyon Arkası Sk. No:37, 34110 Fatih, 34110 sirkeci/İstanbul, Türkiye
• Garden 1897 – Inside of Garden House Hotel, Küçük Ayasofya, Şht. Mehmetpaşa Sok. No5, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
• Carlos Terrace – Sultan Ahmet, Akbıyık Cd. No:75, 34140 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye

By car

Head down the 0-7/Kuzey Marmara Otoyolu towards Istanbul City Centre before merging onto the TEM (0-2) towards Mecidiyekoy/ Besiktas. Continue past Kagithane and Zincirlikuyu and exit towards Besiktas/ Dolmabahce. Drive down the Barbaros Boulevard towards the waterfront, and from there you should start seeing signs for Dolmabahce and the stadium. Follow these signs and the stadium will soon appear.

Postcode: Vişnezade, Dolmabahçe Cd. No:1, 34357 Beşiktaş/İstanbul

By public transport

The quickest way to get to the stadium is to take advantage of Istanbul’s metro system. The M2 line will get you to Taksim, and from here, the stadium is just a short 15-minute walk away. Alternatively, board a ferry from Kabatas to Besiktas.

The Tupras Stadyumu has a capacity of 42,684, and this has remained the same since it opened in 2016. At present, there are no plans for an increase or decrease. A summary of this capacity is as follows:

• Number of Suites:147
• Suite Seats: 1847
• VIP Parking: 350
• VIP Seats: 3500
• Handicap Seats: 81 (+ 81 for companions)
• Press Seats: 186

Fans can visit the Besiktas Museum and get a tour of the Tupras Stadyumu every day of the week except Mondays. The museum is open 10am til 6pm, while tours operate between 10.30am and 4.45pm

As part of both experiences, visitors will learn all about the history of the club and the stadium, including the Inonu Stadium, which was situated on the same ground before the Tupras Stadyumu was erected.

The tour will take fans on a behind-the-scenes look at the Tupras Stadyumu, and includes a visit to the changing rooms and a walk through the tunnel.

Updated price lists can be found via the Besiktas website.

The Inonu Stadium played host to several international superstars, including Michael Jackson, Madonna and Rihanna. Since the Tupras Stadyumu was built in its place, the likes of Guns N ‘ Roses and Shakira have played here.

The Tupras Stadyumu was born from the remnants of Besiktas’ previous home, the Inonu Stadium, which first opened in 1947 on the shores of the Bosphorus in Istanbul. Its construction began during the presidency of Ismet Inonu, hence the name. Designed in a modern style for its era, the stadium quickly developed a reputation for its dramatic setting between Dolmabahçe Palace and the Bosphorus, making it one of the most visually distinctive football grounds in Europe.

Throughout the second half of the twentieth century, the Inonu Stadium also hosted fixtures for the Turkish national team, major cup finals, and concerts by international artists. The stadium’s famously passionate atmosphere, created largely by the Besiktas ultras, earned worldwide attention. Renovations in the 1990s and early 2000s modernised parts of the ground, including seating and lighting, but by the 2010s, the ageing structure no longer met the standards expected for elite European football venues.

In 2013, the decision was made to completely redevelop the stadium while preserving its historic location and key architectural identity. During reconstruction, Besiktas temporarily played home matches at other venues around the city. The project aimed to create a modern UEFA-standard arena while maintaining the intimate atmosphere that supporters associated with the old stadium.

The new stadium officially opened in 2016 as Vodafone Park and later adopted its current name, following a sponsorship agreement with Tupras. Today, the venue is regarded as one of the most advanced football stadiums in Turkey, featuring modern hospitality areas, a museum, and advanced crowd technology while still preserving its historic connection to Besiktas and Istanbul.

Since 2016, it has hosted major domestic and international football matches, including the 2019 UEFA Super Cup and is set to host the 2026 Europa League final.

Record attendance

• 41,843 – Besiktas vs Galatasaray, 29 March 2025

Average attendances

• 2024/25 – 27,972
• 2023/24 – 23,663
• 2022/23 – 32,775

• Galatasaray
• Fenerbahce
• Istanbul Basaksehir