Ataturk Olympic Stadium

At the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, away fans are usually placed in a designated section behind one of the goals, separated by barriers and security.

Lower tier in the southeast section corner, behind one of the goals, is the most common allocation for visiting fans, especially during domestic league matches and European competitions. In this case, Gate R become the entry for away fans when they occupy the South Stand.

When Besiktas and Liverpool clashed at the venue, away fans were tucked in the western side of the South Stand.

The exterior

When you remember the reason behind the Ataturk Olympic Stadium development – being for the 2008 Olympic Games, which Turkey never hosted – it is perhaps of little surprise that it cuts such a striking figure.

From above the bowl-shaped stadium, circular parking, pedestrian areas, and a practice arena cut an imposing figure, and it’s much the same when you get down to ground level, but without the same ‘wow factor’.

The concrete design is colossal and imposing, but doesn’t serve up the same sparkle as a lot of modern stadia; that said, the LEDs that light up the underside at night do deliver a certain ‘pop’.

The interior

Okay, the description we’ve just given of the outside of the Turkey national team ground probably doesn’t get your juices flowing; we know that. The inside of the ground, however, is damn impressive.

There is a gently sloping seating area that curves around the entire field in a shallow bowl shape, but this is only the first tier. The north and south stands of the ground have just the aforementioned open air, single-tier, but that’s not the case for the east and west stands.

Those stands run alongside the touchlines and boast a roof that makes for a striking view from all sides of the ground, such is the design and shaping.

In the east, there are two tiers of seating, whilst the west offers three. The second and third tiers of seating are positioned at a much greater gradient to ensure the visibility of the pitch is not compromised; after all, when they house the VIP and executive boxes, you can’t afford to compromise on anything!

Turkey and Italy will co-host the 2032 European Championship. This will be the first time Turkey hosts the tournament after failed attempts in previous bids. The Ataturk Stadium in Turkey is one of the football stadiums set to host several matches during the tournament.

Apart from serving as the national stadium of the country, Ataturk also boasts the largest capacity in Turkey, with a current seating capacity of 77,563. With that, it also ranked highly among the biggest football stadiums in the world.

The venue has undergone several renovations in the past.

Confirmation of Turkey as a co-host of the 2032 European Championship by UEFA means we are likely to see further renovations at Turkey’s largest venue, primarily aimed at bringing fans closer to the stadium.

When you consider what a stereotypical visit to a football match entails, the pre-match grub and drink rank pretty high up the list for most people. Well, when you come to the Ataturk Olympic Stadium on a typical match day, you need to prepare yourself for a slight change of experience. The city of Istanbul is heaving with restaurants and bars, but as for the stadium itself, you’re extremely limited.

If you want to enjoy some bars and restaurants further afield, then the centre of Istanbul is buzzing with countless options.

You can also try some places on the metro line to the stadium, with the Kofteci Yusuf restaurant at the İstoç metro station a popular choice. From here, the stadium is a mere 15-minute ride away.

Other notable pubs suitable for visiting fans near the Ataturk Stadium are:

• The Corner Irish Pub is 25 km away from the stadium.
• U2 Istanbul Irish Pub is located approximately 25 km from the stadium.
• James Joyce Irish Pub
• The Celtic Irish Pub

Nearby hotels

When you consider the stadium itself, it is hard to believe what you’re about to hear, but there is pretty much zero hotel offering near the Turkey national team ground!

However, there is a vast choice within a 10-15 minute drive time radius with hotels covering almost every budget. If you’re doing the match – or tour – on a budget, then the Ramada Encore by Wyndham Istanbul Basin Express, a 3-star hotel, can be snapped up for under £40 per night and is just 10 minutes by car. It is located on the E80, south of the stadium, and is a 10-minute walk from a metro stop. You have a similar option towards the airport – again, a 10-minute drive from the stadium – by the Hilton, but the downside is that you lose that train link.

If you’re after more glitz, then a more upmarket choice is the 5-star Centro West Side; it’s just five minutes further from the arena than the Ramada as mentioned earlier and, depending on how far in advance you’re booking, you can snap up a room for around the £50-60 mark.

Alternatively, you can pinch pennies and rest your head at the Istanbul hotel. It’s a 15-minute drive with no real link to public transport, but with rooms available from under £20, you can’t grumble too much.

Food and drink at Ataturk Olympic Stadium reflect the simplicity and practicality of Turkish matchday culture. Inside the ground, fans can expect only basic concession kiosks serving snacks, pastries, chips, sandwiches, and hot or cold non-alcoholic drinks such as tea, sodas and coffee.

The variety is limited, and alcohol is strictly prohibited by Turkish stadium regulations, so visitors looking for a wider menu will find the in-stadium experience more functional than indulgent. While some supporters bring their own small snacks, most rely on the straightforward kiosks to keep them going during matches.

However, the real culinary options are found outside the stadium, where local eateries offer far more flavour and variety. Within a few kilometres, fans can sample authentic Turkish specialities such as:

• Boran Etil Ekmek is a local favourite, just two kilometres away from the stadium, and is popular for serving thin bread served with flavourful meat.
• Farika Doner is another nearby spot to check out for some great food servings. This place is located approximately 3.9 kilometres from the Ataturk Olympic Stadium.
• Reyhan Kuruyemis is the ideal spot for grabbing some dried fruit, nuts or Turkish-Arabic snacks. It is only 3.6 kilometres away.

For those wanting a sit-down meal, restaurants like Amadolu Ziyafet or Atakent Hatay Sofrasi provide traditional Turkish and Mediterranean dishes, while grill houses such as Kuzubeyi Kuzu Cevirme cater to meat lovers.

This makes the Atartuk experience unique: inside, food and drink remain basic and efficient, but just beyond the stadium gates lies a snapshot of Istanbul’s diverse and flavourful food culture.

The Ataturk Olympic Stadium is sandwiched between the main centre of Istanbul and the airport that serves the city; in driving terms that’s circa 20 miles from the airport, which is an important note for plenty of fans jetting in for the game, and 15 miles from the main city hub. Regardless of what direction you’re approaching the stadium, though, you’re well covered for travel.

If you are choosing public transport, the train is your best option. The underground M9 line drops you at Olimpiyat station, which is purpose-built to serve the

Turkish national team ground. You can drive to the stadium in your private vehicle, with ample parking options available surrounding the stadium. In terms of how you go about reaching your destination, the approach depends on your starting point.

If you’re heading down from the airport, follow the O-7 and then branch off at Olimpiyat Stadı Yolu. But if you’re coming from Istanbul centre itself, then it’s the O-3, E80 and then, from the other direction, Olimpiyat Stadı Yolu once again.

Ataturk Olympic Stadium is located in the western suburb of Istanbul in the Ikitelli district within Basaksehir. While it is quite far from Istanbul, approximately 25 kilometres from the city, there are several attractions you can explore in the area.

Mall of Istanbul

The Mall of Istanbul is approximately six kilometres from Ataturk Olympic Stadium. That means it is about 15 15-minute drive from the Ataturk Olympic Stadium.

You can explore variety of shops, restaurants, cinema and entertainment joints within the Mall of Istanbul.  It is an ideal location for visitors looking for good dining spots and to partake on leisure activities.

Tulipa Spa & Health Club

Tulipa Spa & Health Club is located about five kilometres away from Ataturk Olympic Stadium. It is a wellness center featuring a spa.

Istanbul Aquarium

Istanbul Aquarium is a 20-minute drive from Ataturk Olympic Stadium. Located in the Florya district, it is regarded as one of the thematic parks in the world.

The place houses a variety of marine life and is a family-friendly attraction zone for those visiting Basaksehir.

Ataturk Olympic Stadium has hosted concerts in recent years, and more are expected in the future. In September 2010, U2 – 360° toured the venue and delivered a sold-out performance in front of an estimated 54,278 fans. Snow Patrol was the opening act of the show.

In 2025, Phil Collins held a concert at Ataturk Olympic Stadium. The tour was dubbed the final farewell during which he performed classics such as Another Day in Paradise, One More Night, and Air Tonight. Most recently, in June 2023, Brazilian superstar Anitta also performed at Ataturk Olympic Stadium.

Meanwhile, there are currently no upcoming concerts at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, but keep checking here for updates.

Currently the largest stadium in Turkey, the Ataturk Olympic Stadium was first opened in 2002.

Since then, the venue has become a staple of Turkish football and has been the long-standing home of the national team. Club giants such as Galatasaray and Beşiktaş have also called the ground home over the years.

Having enjoyed an impressive renovation in 2020, the stadium was also part of Turkey’s bid to host Euro 2024. However, this bid was ultimately unsuccessful.

Despite this, the ground still boasts a strong pedigree when it comes to hosting major European matches. Notably, the stadium hosted the famous 2015 Champions League final, in which Liverpool completed one of the most iconic comebacks in history. This year, the venue marks 20 years since the historic UCL finals on 25 May.

Ataturk Olympic Stadium also hosted the 2023 Champions League final. On the other side, Man City won the 2023 UCL finals. The Cityzens defeated Inter Milan in an Inter encounter on 10 June 2023 to bag the prestigious silverware.

Teams that have called the Ataturk Olympic Stadium home

The Ataturk Olympic Stadium is best known as the Turkey national team stadium, but there have been a fair few sides that have called it home since the late 1990s and early 2000s. Galatasaray occupied it for a couple of years early on before İstanbul Basaksehir took residence for seven seasons – sharing 12 months with Kasimpasa.

Since 2020, Fatih Karagumruk S.K. have called the stadium their home. Although they aren’t one of the powerhouses of Turkish football, Fatih Karagumruk S.K. have fared well since being promoted to the top league in the country in 2020 and have enjoyed three successive top-half finishes.

Despite its enormous size and iconic status in European football, the disabled facilities at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium fall short of its many counterparts in the continent.

When the stadium hosted the 2023 Champions League, thousands complained as rubble footpaths impeded access for many of the disabled supporters in attendance.

The facilities inside the stadium, while adequate, are far from being revolutionary.

Ataturk Olympic Stadium is a property of the Turkish government and is managed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

However, the venue can be hired by other teams apart from the national team. For example, Fatih Karagumruk, a team that has been promoted to the Super Lig for the 2025/26 season, has been using the venue as their homeground. It begs the question: how do you book Ataturk Olympic Stadium tickets?

Ataturk Olympic Stadium tickets are generally sold through Passo. Passo is the official ticketing platform for Turkish football events. Upon registering on the platform, you will receive a PASSOLIG card, which you can use to pay for match tickets at the Ataturk Stadium.

However, for international football matches such as the UEFA Champions League, ticketing is managed by UEFA. The same would apply if FIFA were to stage football matches at the stadium.

Alternatively, you can check the official Ataturk Olympic Stadium website for upcoming events and ticket availability. Platforms such as SeatPick may also be handy when looking for Ataturk Olympic Stadium tickets.