The Crocodile Stadium, also known as Timsah Arena, is not just one of the weirdest stadiums in the world. The stadium's design, which features a giant resting crocodile, is a departure from the bowl-shaped facades that define most football pitches globally.
Since its opening in 2015, the venue has hosted some memorable matches, including Euro qualifiers. However, as the bizarre yet unique design of Timsah Arena keeps heads rolling, the big question remains: What's the inspiration behind it?
This post explores the 43,000-capacity Crocodile Stadium. With that, you will discover the story behind the bold-looking Crocodile facade and why it is a landmark feature in Bursa, Turkey.
Crocodile Stadium: Home of Bursaspor
Centennial Ataturk Stadium – the story of its design
The design of Bursaspor's new stadium was first proposed in 2010, inspired by the club's nickname, the “Crocodiles.” The design featured a large crocodile head at one end of the stadium.
Construction began a year later, with an initial completion date set for 2013. However, due to various complications, the stadium ultimately opened in December 2015.
Bursaspor supporters expressed their dissatisfaction when the first match held at the new venue was between local teams and celebrities, rather than the club itself.
The exterior of the stadium is designed with green membranes and glass sections to mimic a crocodile's skin. At the northern end of the venue, a crocodile head was structurally completed in 2018.
However, additional work was still needed to make it suitable for hosting commercial events, according to a report by StadiumDB in November 2019.
Crocodile Stadium photos and videos
Inside the ground, it has a unique layout with single-tiered stands at either end of the pitch. The West Stand is divided into three levels, and the East Stand into two levels.
Is Timsah Arena outside of football?
The Centennial Ataturk Stadium is mainly used for Bursaspor matches, who now play in the TFF 3. Lig, which is the fourth tier of Turkish football, after winning the Turkish Regional Amateur League in the 2023/24 season.
Turkey’s men’s national team played a game at the crocodile-shaped venue in 2023. They faced Croatia in a qualifier for UEFA Euro 2024 on 28 March 2023 – a match that they lost 2-0 in front of 37,750 supporters.
FAQs about Crocodile Stadium
Will Crocodile Stadium host the European Championship in 2032?
The Turkish Football Federation has proposed the venue to be used in the Euro 2032, a tournament that the country will co-host alongside Italy.
The final decision on the venues to be used for the tournament will be made in October 2026, with only five Turkish stadiums set to be selected.
Which notable football matches have been staged at Crocodile Stadium?
Since 2015, when the venue was opened, Bursaspor's home ground has hosted notable matches. The 2023 Euro qualifier between Turkey and Croatia is one of the memorable encounters at the venue.
In 2017, Bursaspor hosted Fenerbahce for a Super Lig clash at the venue, another high-profile encounter that demonstrated the capabilities of Crocodile Stadium.
When you realize Turkey are hosting Croatia at the Bursa Timsah Arena tonight 🤩🐊 pic.twitter.com/GDpJxSZLK5
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 28, 2023
What are the highest attendance records at Crocodile Stadium since it was opened?
The 2023 Euro qualifier clash between Turkey and Croatia attracted approximately 43,000 spectators. The 2017 Bursaspor and Fenerbahçe encounter drew a crowd of 38,108.
What was the cost of building Crocodile Stadium?
Construction costs of the Crocodile Stadium were approximately $8.5 million. Bursa Metropolitan Municipality largely funded the project.