Fenerbahçe won their first major honor in domestic football in the early 20th century and continued to become champion inTurkish football before the establishment of theSüper Lig in 1959. Prior to this, the club won multipleTurkish Football Championship titles, asserting its place as one ofTurkey’s footballing powerhouses. Since the creation of theSüper Lig, Fenerbahçe has remained one of the most successful teams, regularly contending for the title and winning numerous league championships. Counting since the official football federation of the country, theTurkish Football Federation, abbreviated TFF, Fenerbahçe have won 28 championship titles respectively, making it the most successful so far in Turkey. The club holds the joint-record for the longest uninterrupted top-flight streak inTurkish football history. Internationally, Fenerbahçe won theBalkans Cup in1966–67, becoming the first Turkish club to claim an international trophy. In modernEuropean competitions, they reached the quarter-finals of theUEFA Champions League in the2007–08 season and the semi-finals of theUEFA Europa League in2012–13, further establishing their presence on the continental stage.
Fenerbahçe is also one of the most widely supported football clubs inTurkey, with millions of fans both domestically and internationally. Traditionally, the club plays in striped jerseys with yellow-navy blue color combinations in all branches, especially football. The club has a massive social media following and maintains a dedicated supporter base known for its passionate atmosphere, especially in home matches atŞükrü Saracoğlu Stadium. Alongside Galatasaray and Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe is part of the “Big Three” clubs ofTurkish football, with intense rivalries between these teams shaping the landscape of theSüper Lig. The club’s financial strength has played a key role in attracting world-class players throughout its history, with notable names such asAlex de Souza,Roberto Carlos,Toni Schumacher,Pierre van Hooijdonk,Dirk Kuyt,Robin van Persie,Mesut Özil,Nicolas Anelka,Luis Nani,Leonardo Bonucci,Kim Min-jae,Raul Meireles,Edin Džeko,Dušan Tadić having donned the Fenerbahçe’s include.
The club holds aGuinness World Record for having the highest number of medals and trophies across all itssports branches, with a total of 1134 cups and medals.[7][8] Financially, Fenerbahçe remains one of the wealthiest clubs in Turkey, generating significant revenue from sponsorship deals, broadcasting rights, and commercial ventures. The club continues to invest in youth development and modern facilities, with aspirations to maintain domestic dominance and achieve further success inEuropean competitions.
The founder and first president ofFenerbahçe,Nurizade Ziya Songülen, was first introduced to football in England, where he went for higher education after graduating fromIstanbul Saint-Joseph College in 1903, and was inspired by the football teams in this country, where the sport of football was born.[9] When he returned to the country in 1906, the first thing he did was to establish a football team in his hometown,Istanbul in June 1906. He first contacted his friends in the Kadıköy district and thenEnver Yetiker, the literature teacher at the school he graduated from, and conveyed his intention to establish a football team to them and made them an offer.Nurizade Ziya Bey, who received a positive response to his offer, initially only went to training with the first Fenerbahçe football team in history, the prototype of which was created in June 1906. Because the team could only be completed as an 11-person team in the spring of 1907, the official foundation date of the club.[10]
“We were fromModa. However, since there was already a club namedModa FC, we naturally couldn’t name our team the same. While thinking about what the name of the club we were going to establish should be, we suddenly saw theFenerbahçe Cape and its lighthouse through the window of our house. At that very moment, we jointly decided to name the club ‘Fenerbahçe Football Club’. Our emblem became the ‘light-emitting lighthouse’’
The first team in 1907–08 season (The founder of the clubZiya Songülen, is fourth from the left standing)
Fenerbahçe were officially founded in 3 May 1907 inKadıköy,Istanbul, by local menZiya Songülen,Ayetullah Bey andNecip Okaner. This group founded the club secretly in order to keep a low profile and not get into any trouble with the strict Ottoman rule, so strict that the SultanAbdul Hamid II forbade the Turkish youth to set up a club or engage in the game of football played by the English families that was watched in envy. The three men came together and concluded that Kadıköy was in desperate need of its own football club, where locals would get a chance to practise the game of football. Ziya Songülen was elected thefirst president of the club, Ayetullah Bey became the first general secretary and Necip Okaner was given the post of general captain.[11] Thelighthouse situated on the Fenerbahçe cape was a big influence on the design of the club's first crest, which sported the yellow and white colors ofdaffodils around the lighthouse. The kits were also designed with yellow and white stripes.[11] Founded byOttoman Greeks,Strugglers F.C. played against Fenerbahçe in the final match of the tournament it organized in its name on 5 June 1910, and Fenerbahçe won the match 3–1, winning the first cup in its history. The crest of the club was changed in 1914 whenHikmet Topuzer redesigned the badge afterZiya Songülen had changed the colors to yellow and navy in the fall of 1908, still seen today. Fenerbahçe's activities were kept in secrecy until a legislation reform in 1908, when, under a new law, all football clubs had to register to exist legally.[11]
Newspaper news about a match played by Fenerbahçe in the regional tournament on 1 March 1908
The squad that achieved the team's first League championship (1911–12)Pre-match photo of Fenerbahçe squad participating in the tournament inOdesa andMykolaiv city upon invitation ofRussian Empire’s football teams (1913)
Fenerbahçe played against the staff of theRoyal Navy thatoccupied Istanbul during theTurkish War of Independence. Some British soldiers formed football teams that were named after the players' speciality, for exampleEssexEngineers,Irish Guards,Grenadiers andArtillery. These teams played against each other and against local football teams in Istanbul. Fenerbahçe won many of these matches.[14] The most known match played against the British was the match that would determine the winner of theGeneral Harrington Cup. Fenerbahçe won the match held on 29 June 1923 atTaksim Stadium with two goals scored byZeki Rıza Sporel, one of the important players of the period.[15]
I had heard about the works and efforts of Fenerbahçe Club which were appreciated and admired everywhere and i saw it as my duty to visit this club and congratulate those who contributed and helped in these works. I could only fulfill this duty today. I am proud to record my lines of appreciation and congratulations here
Fenerbahçe won the championship 6 times in 1937, 1940, 1943, 1945, 1946 and 1950, and became the team that achieved the most victories in theTurkish National Division.Lefter Küçükandonyadis, one of the important names of Fenerbahçe, scored 423 goals in 615 matches between 1947–1951 and 1953–64. Fenerbahçe won theIstanbul Football League 16 times, theTurkish National Division 6 times, and the formerTurkish Football Championship 3 times, all of them records, profiling themselves as forerunners and dominating side in Turkish football before the introduction of the professional nationwide league in 1959.[16][17]
Under the guidance ofIgnác Molnár, the club won many trophies
TheTurkish Football Federation founded a professional national league in 1959, which continues today under the name of theSüper Lig. Fenerbahçe won thefirst tournament, beating archrivalsGalatasaray 4–1 on aggregate.[18] The next year, Fenerbahçe participated in theEuropean Cup for the first time. They qualified through a 4–3 win overCsepel SC, being the first Turkish club to advance to the next round by eliminating its opponent. They lost their first-round match toNice 1–5 in a playoff game after drawing on aggregate.[19] Fenerbahçe reached thequarter-final of the1963–64 European Cup Winners' Cup where it was eliminated byMTK Budapest.
Fenerbahçe won four more league titles in the 1960s and were runners-up three times, making it the most successful club of that era.[20][21] Fenerbahçe was coached byIgnác Molnár at the time, a famous Hungarian coach who had introduced a new style of football in Turkey. Under his guidance, Fenerbahçe managed to eliminate English championsManchester City in the first round of the1968–69 European Cup.
In the1966–67 Balkans Cup (a competition set up for Eastern European clubs from Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Turkey andYugoslavia that existed between the 1960–61 and 1993–94 seasons), Fenerbahçe won the cup after three final matches against Greek clubAEK Athens, making them the first Turkish club to win a non-domestic competition. This success would remain unparalleled by a Turkish club untilSarıyer andSamsunspor won the cup many years later in the 1990s, when the competition lost much of its popularity.[22]
Didi coached the club between 1972 and 1975, winning eight trophies
The 1970s saw Fenerbahçe bring in the famousDidi as their new coach. Fenerbahçe won four more league titles, including a double withCemil Turan being the top goal scorer three times. The 1970s also established a rivalry withTrabzonspor, where for almost a decade Fenerbahçe and Trabzonspor were competing with each other for the title. The 1980s saw Fenerbahçe win three more league titles. Under the guidance ofKálmán Mészöly, Fenerbahçe managed to eliminate French championsBordeaux in the first round of the1985–86 European Cup.[23][24] This victory marked a turning point as for almost a decade no Turkish club managed to get past the first round in European competitions.
Galatasaray andBeşiktaş dominated the Turkish League during the 1990s, combining to win nine out of ten titles. Fenerbahçe's only Turkish League success during the 1990s came in the1995–96 season under the guidance ofCarlos Alberto Parreira.[20][21] In the1996–97 UEFA Champions League season, Fenerbahçe completed the group stage with seven points[25] and, among others, defeatedManchester United 1–0 atOld Trafford, undoing the record of the English giants being unbeaten for 40 years in their homeground.[26]
Fenerbahçe won the league title in 2001, denying Galatasaray a fifth consecutive title. It followed up the next season with a second-place behind Galatasaray with new coachWerner Lorant. However, thenext season did not go so well as Fenerbahçe finished in sixth place.[27] Despite this, that season is memorable to many Fenerbahçe fans due to a 6–0 win against arch-rivals Galatasaray at theŞükrü Saracoğlu Stadium on 6 November 2002.[28] After firing Werner Lorant, the club hired another German coach,Christoph Daum. Daum had previously coached in Turkey, winning the league with Beşiktaş in 1994–95. Fenerbahçe brought in players includingPierre van Hooijdonk,Mehmet Aurélio andFábio Luciano as a rebuilding process. These new players lead Fenerbahçe to its 15th title and third star (one being awarded for every five league titles won by a club).[29]
100th year celebration of the club
Thenext year was followed by a narrow championship over Trabzonspor, winning a then record 16 Turkish Football League championships.[30] Fenerbahçe lost the title in the last week of the2005–06 season to Galatasaray. Fenerbahçe needed a win, but instead drew 1–1 withDenizlispor while Galatasaray won 3–0 overKayserispor. Soon after, Christoph Daum resigned as manager[31] and was replaced byZico on 4 July 2006.[32][33] Zico began his reign by signing two new defenders: highly touted Uruguayan internationalDiego Lugano and Zico's fellow BrazilianEdu Dracena.[34] Zico also signed two strikers in Serbian internationalMateja Kežman and another Brazilian,Deivid.[35] Fenerbahçe's2006–07 domestic season started with a 6–0 win over relegation candidatesKayseri Erciyesspor.[36] In the 32nd week of the Süper Lig, Fenerbahçe drew Trabzonspor 2–2, while Beşiktaş lost toBursaspor 0–3, putting the former out of contention for the title.[37][38] Fenerbahçe won its 17th Süper Lig title in2006–07.[39]
Chelsea v Fenerbahçe, 8 April 2008 (Champions League QF, 2nd match)
In the2009–10 season Fenerbahçe lost the title on the last matchday; Fenerbahçe players were told that a draw would be enough towards the end of the match only to find out that the other critical game went against their favour, as Bursaspor beat Beşiktaş 2–1 to win the title. Despite the title loss, Fenerbahçe ended the season with the most clean sheets (10), as well as the joint longest winning streak (8).[43] In July 2011, Fenerbahçe fans invaded the pitch during a friendly against the Ukrainian championsShakhtar Donetsk. As punishment, Fenerbahçe were sentenced to two Süper Lig games in an empty stadium. TheTFF later allowed those two games to be filled with spectators; men were barred, while women and children under 12 were admitted for free.[44]
On 29 October 2012,Antalyaspor ended Fenerbahçe's 47-match unbeaten run in the Süper Lig at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium. Fenerbahçe had not lost a match at home since they were beaten 2–3 by eventual champions Bursaspor in week 22, on 22 February 2010. Fenerbahçe won 38 and drew 9 in the 47 matches they played within 980 days since 22 February 2010.[45] On 3 November 2012, Fenerbahçe peckedAkhisar Belediyespor to break a 181-day away jinx.[46]
Ersun Yanal's appointment coincided with tough times for Fenerbahçe, who had just been banned fromEuropean competitions for two seasons over their alleged involvement in a domesticsports corruption scandal. Fenerbahçe, which finished second in the Süper Lig in 2012–13, thus missed-out on the 2013–14 Champions League, which it had been due to enter in thethird qualifying round.[50] Fenerbahçe finished the2014–15 season as runners-up, forcing the board of directors to undertake some major changes.
Aziz Yıldırım in 2024. As the 37th president, he served from 1998 to 2018
For the2015–16 season, Fenerbahçe brought inVítor Pereira as their new coach. Portuguese starNani, Danish defenderSimon Kjær andRobin van Persie were added to the squad to fulfill the club's ambitions to be successful in theSüper Lig and European competitions. On 10 December 2015, Fenerbahçe played their 200th European game againstCeltic.[51]
Between 2015 and 2018, Fenerbahçe remained a strong contender in theSüper Lig, consistently finishing in the upper ranks of the league. However, despite their competitive performances, the team faced challenges in securing domestic trophies, with arch-rivalsGalatasaray andBeşiktaş often outperforming them. Their European campaigns during this period were marked by sporadic successes, but they struggled to make significant progress in continental competitions.
In 2018, a major turning point occurred in the club’s history whenAli Koç was elected president, endingAziz Yıldırım’s 20-year tenure at Fenerbahçe. His landslide victory reflected fans’ desire for change, with promises of modernization, financial restructuring, transparency, and youth development. Despite early challenges like financial constraints and underperformance, Koç stayed committed to long-term planning and rebuilding the club’s structure.[52]
From 2018 to 2023, the club underwent a period of transition, characterized by frequent managerial changes and inconsistent performances. Despite efforts to stabilize the team, Fenerbahçe often finished outside the top positions in the league. Financial constraints also limited their ability to attract top-tier talent, further complicating their efforts to reclaim domestic dominance. However, the club continued investing in youth development and long-term infrastructural projects to lay the foundation for future success. On 12 October 2022, Fenerbahçe played their 250th European game againstAEK Larnaca.[53]
A turning point occurred in the2023–24 season with the appointment ofİsmail Kartal as head coach. Under his leadership, Fenerbahçe displayed a renewed sense of competitiveness, finishing second in theSüper Lig with 99 points, narrowly missing out on the title toGalatasaray, who secured 102 points. The team exhibited strong performances across all competitions but was eliminated in the quarterfinals of both theTurkish Cup and theUEFA Conference League. The season was also marked by major controversies. During a heatedSüper Lig match in March 2024, Fenerbahçe defeatedTrabzonspor 3-2 away, after whichTrabzonspor fans stormed the pitch, attacking Fenerbahçe players and causing chaotic scenes. The violence, widely shared on social media, led to public outrage and disciplinary investigations by theTurkish Football Federation.[54][55]
Another major incident involved the2023 Turkish Super Cup, originally scheduled for 29 December 2023 inRiyadh,Saudi Arabia, Fenerbahçe andGalatasaray withdrew due to disagreements over ceremonial elements, particularly the display of banners referencingMustafa Kemal Atatürk, which Saudi authorities disallowed. The match was rescheduled for 7 April 2024 atŞanlıurfa 11 Nisan Stadium in Turkey. Fenerbahçe fielded their U19 squad and walked off the pitch after one minute in protest, leading to a forfeit and awarding the victory to their arch-rivalsGalatasaray.[56][57]
In mid-2024, Fenerbahçe appointedJosé Mourinho as head coach, signaling the club's ambition to reclaim domestic and European success.[58] At the ceremony held on June 2, Mourinho embraced the challenge ahead of the new season, declaring, "This jersey is my skin”.[59]
Mourinho's tenure began with a series of strong performances, with the team securing 16 wins in 27 matches across all competitions by early 2025. However, his time at the club has also been marked by controversy, most notably his outspoken criticism of refereeing standards in Turkish football, alleging bias in favor of rivalsGalatasaray.[60] Tensions peaked following Fenerbahçe'sTurkish Cup quarter-final loss, when Mourinho was caught pinching the nose of Galatasaray coachOkan Buruk during a post-match scuffle, leading to a three-match ban.[61] On 29 August 2025, Mourinho was sacked from his role as head coach, replaced byDomenico Tedesco.[62] A month later,Sadettin Saran replaced Ali Koç as the president of the club.
Lefter Küçükandonyadis, nicknamed"Ordinaryus" and named "one of the 200 most important footballers of the 20th c." byWorld Soccer magazine
When it was first founded in 1907, Fenerbahçe had a large squad. The first team captain of the Fenerbahçe football team wasTurkish Naval School studentNecip Okaner, the club's 3rd founding member. The first goalkeeper of the team wasAsaf Beşpınar, a student ofKadıköy Lycée Saint-Joseph.Galip Kulaksızoğlu, was the longest serving player of the original squad, spending 17 years at the club, retiring in 1924 after 216 matches.[63]Zeki Rıza Sporel andBekir Refet, the first Turkish footballer ever to play abroad, were among the first products of the Fenerbahçe youth system. During his 18-year career with the club, Zeki Rıza scored 470 goals in 352 matches, or 1.3 goals every match, making him the all-time top scorer of Fenerbahçe.[63] Zeki Rıza was also capped for theTurkish national team 16 times, scoring 15 goals.
Cihat Arman, one of the club's legendary goalkeepers, was given the nickname"Sarı Kanarya"(Yellow Canary) by the fans for the saves he made while wearing the "yellow jersey" in every match, and this nickname has become an icon of the club that has been carried to this day
Cihat Arman became the first in a long-line of long-servinggoalkeepers, playing 12 seasons and in 308 matches with the club.[63]Lefter Küçükandonyadis was one of the first Turkish football players to play in Europe. Lefter spent two seasons in Europe, playing forFiorentina andNice before returning to Fenerbahçe. All in all, Lefter scored 423 goals in 615 matches for the club, helping them to twoIstanbul Football League titles and threeTurkish League titles.
GoalkeeperIlie Datcu was the first foreigner to make 100 league appearances for the club. In the1969-70 season, Fenerbahçe conceded only six goals in 30 games, which is still aSüper Lig record today.[64]
Zeki Rıza Sporel, who scored 473 goals in 352 matches and achieved an average of 1.34 goals per match, went down in Turkish football history as one of the players who scored the most goals. He also scored the first goal of theTurkish national football team in 1923
In recent decades, Fenerbahçe have gained an influx of foreigners who have helped the club to 19 Süper Lig titles. Among these isUche Okechukwu, who after 13 seasons with Fenerbahçe andİstanbulspor became the longest serving foreigner in Turkey. During Uche's career with Fenerbahçe, he won two league titles and became a fan favourite. More recently, Fenerbahçe have been the home to Brazilian-bornMehmet Aurélio who, in 2006, became the first naturalized Turkish citizen to play for the Turkish national team.[65]
Alex, captain of Fenerbahçe from 2007 to 2012 and the most successful foreign player in the history of the club.
Alex is another Brazilian player who scored the most goals of all foreign players who have played for Fenerbahçe. He managed to becometop scorer of the Turkish Süper Lig on two occasions (in2006–07 and2010–11),Turkish Footballer of the Year twice (in 2005 and 2010), as well as assist leader in the2007–08 season of the UEFA Champions League.[66] Based on all those achievements, as well as his exemplary character and sportsmanship on and off the field, acknowledged by fans of Fenerbahçe and their rivals alike, he became the most successful and renowned foreign player to have ever played for the club and one of a few whose statue has been erected by the supporters of the club in the Yoğurtçu Park, in the near of Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.[67]
Fenerbahçe has built a massive fanbase since its establishment in 1907, ranking among the most widely supported clubs inTurkey. Approximately 35% ofTurkish football fans back Fenerbahçe, making it the most popular club inIstanbul andAnkara.[68][69] Their influence extends beyondTurkey, with passionate supporters inNorthern Cyprus,Azerbaijan, and variousTurkish diaspora communities. Thanks to the redevelopment ofŞükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, the club consistently boasts some of the highest attendance figures inTurkish football.
The club’s supporters are organized into various groups, includingGenç Fenerbahçeliler (GFB), Kill For You (KFY), Antu/Fenerlist, EuroFeb (a group for fans in Europe), Group CK (Cefakâr Kanaryalar), 1907 ÜNİFEB, Vamos Bien, and SUADFEB. Beyond official fan organizations, numerous fanzines, blogs, podcasts, and forums are dedicated to covering Fenerbahçe.
Fenerbahçe’s fanbase has formed friendships with other clubs’ supporters over the years. In November 2011,Genç Fenerbahçeliler developed a close relationship withTorcida Sandžak, the organized supporters ofSerbian clubNovi Pazar. During aSüper Lig match againstİstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor, Fenerbahçe fans unveiled a banner that readKalbimiz Seninle Novi Pazar (“Novi Pazar, Our Hearts Are With You”). Later, in aSuperLiga match againstRadnički Kragujevac,Torcida Sandžak reciprocated the gesture with a banner statingSancak’ta atıyor, Fenerbahçe’nin kalbi (“The heart of Fenerbahçe beats in Sandžak”). This friendship continued on 2 March 2012, whenGenç Fenerbahçeliler and 1907 Gençlik members were invited toNovi Pazar for a match againstPartizan. The 17 traveling Fenerbahçe supporters received a warm welcome from thousands ofTorcida Sandžak members, solidifying the bond between the two groups.[70][71][72]
TheIntercontinental Derby is the fierce football rivalry betweenGalatasaray and Fenerbahçe, the two most successful and popular clubs inTurkey. The name comes from the fact thatGalatasaray is based on theEuropean side ofIstanbul, while Fenerbahçe is based on theAsian side, making it a continental rivalry. This derby is one of the most intense in world football, with both clubs having passionate fan bases.
The rivalry dates back to 1909, and over the years, it has been marked by on-field clashes, controversial moments, and incredible atmospheres. Matches between the two are always high-stakes, often deciding league titles or cup victories. Fenerbahçe has traditionally been dominant in head-to-head records, especially in matches played at their home stadium,Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, whileGalatasaray has enjoyed international success, winning theUEFA Cup andUEFA Super Cup in 2000. The rivalry is deeply rooted inTurkish football culture, with fans eagerly anticipating each encounter.[73][74]
One of the most unforgettable matches in derby history was played on 6 November 2002, when Fenerbahçe defeatedGalatasaray 6–0 in a historic Süper Lig encounter. The match, played atŞükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, remains Fenerbahçe’s biggest victory over their arch-rivals. This result became one of the most talked-about moments inTurkish football history, particularly among Fenerbahçe fans.
However, nearly two decades later,Galatasaray had their own historic victory. On 23 February 2020, during the2019–20 Süper Lig season,Galatasaray defeated Fenerbahçe 3–1 atŞükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, marking their first away victory in the derby in 20 years. This match was a monumental moment forGalatasaray fans, as they had not won at Fenerbahçe’s home since 1999.
TheBeşiktaş–Fenerbahçe rivalry is another majorIstanbul derby, contested betweenBeşiktaş and Fenerbahçe. While not as internationally famous as theIntercontinental Derby, this rivalry is just as intense withinTurkey. Both clubs have large and loyal followings, withBeşiktaş fans known for their organized chants and intense stadium atmosphere. The matches between these two teams have historically been highly competitive, often featuring dramatic goals, red cards, and heated moments.
One of the key aspects of this rivalry is the contrast in club identity—Beşiktaş is often associated with a more working-class, rebellious spirit, while Fenerbahçe is seen as a wealthier and more powerful institution. Both clubs have multiple league titles and have had periods of dominance inTurkish football. The matches between these two teams are always filled with passion, pride, and sometimes even controversy, making them one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures in theSüper Lig.[75]
Fenerbahçe play their home matches at theŞükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, their own traditional home ground in the Kadıköy district of Istanbul, since 1908. Most recently renovated between 1999 and 2006, its capacity is 47,430.[76] The club's museum has been situated in the stadium since 2005, after having been housed at a variety of locations.[77] Before Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium was built, the field was known as Papazın Çayırı ("The field of the priest"). The field, however, became the first football pitch of Turkey, where the first league games of theIstanbul Football League were all held successively. In 1908, local teams of the league needed a regular football field, so this land was leased from the Ottoman SultanAbdul Hamid II for 30 Ottoman gold pounds a year. The total construction cost was 3,000 Ottoman gold pounds. The name was changed to the Union Club Field after the club which made the highest donation for the construction.
The Union Club Field was used by many teams in İstanbul, including the owner, Union Club (which changed its name to İttihatspor afterWorld War I), Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, and Beşiktaş. However, it had lost its importance when a bigger venue, theTaksim Stadium, was built in 1922, inside the courtyard of the historicTaksim Topçu Kışlası (Taksim Artillery Barracks), which was located at the present-dayTaksim Gezi Parkı (Taksim Park).İttihatspor (which had close relations with the politicalCommittee of Union and Progress), was forced to sell it to the state, in whichŞükrü Saracoğlu was a member of theCHP government. Thus, the ownership of the stadium passed to the state, but the field was immediately leased to Fenerbahçe.
Later, on 27 May 1933, Fenerbahçe purchased the stadium from the government whenŞükrü Saracoğlu was the president of Fenerbahçe, for either the symbolic amount of 1TL or the worth of the stadium which was 9,000 TL. The name of the field was changed to Fenerbahçe Stadium, and this made Fenerbahçe the first football club in Turkey to own their stadium, with the help of the government. In the following years, Fenerbahçe renovated the stadium and increased itsseating capacity. By 1949, Fenerbahçe Stadium was the largest football venue in Turkey, with a seating capacity of 25,000. The name of the stadium was changed once more in 1998, becoming Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, named after Fenerbahçe's president and Turkey's fifth Prime Minister,Şükrü Saracoğlu. In 1999, the latest round of renovations and capacity increasing projects started. The tribunes on the four sides of the stadium were torn down one at a time, as the Turkish Super League seasons progressed, and the entire renewal and construction project was finalised in 2006, with the efforts of Fenerbahçe presidentAziz Yıldırım and the team's board of directors.
Fenerbahçe's first jersey (yellow-white striped) used in the 1906–07 season
Fenerbahçe changed their colours to yellow and navy blue in 1908
The first version of the logo in 1914. After theTurkish language was Latinized as a result of theTurkish Alphabet Reform in 1928, this logo was revised to its current formation
Fenerbahçe's first coat of arms was the famousFenerbahçe Lighthouse, which gave its name to theFenerbahçe area in Istanbul'sKadıköy district and was built by EmperorSuleiman the Magnificent in 1562, but the club, which was restructured in 1911, revised its identity and updated its crest of club in 1914 year. It was designed byHikmet Topuzer, nicknamed Topuz Hikmet, who played as a right winger, in 1914 and had made aslapel pins byTevfik Haccar Taşçı inLondon. The crest consists of five colours. The white section which includes the writingFenerbahçe Spor Kulübü★ 1907★ represents purity and open-heartedness, the red section represents love and attachment to the club and symbolises theTurkish flag. The yellow section symbolises other ones' envy and jealousy about Fenerbahçe, while the navy symbolises nobility. Theoak leaf which rises from the navy and yellow section shows the force and the power of being a member of Fenerbahçe. The green colour of the leaf shows that the success of Fenerbahçe is imperative.[78]
Since Fenerbahçe was founded in spring, the club's colors were chosen as yellow and white, inspired by the yellow and white daisies blooming in the meadows of the Fenerbahçe district. The founding-president of the club,Nurizade Ziya Bey, designed Fenerbahçe's first jerseys; he purchased sports products from the store of the famous merchant of the time,Frank Sugg, located onLord Street inLiverpool, England, where he spent his education between 1903 and 1906 and was introduced to the sport of football during these periods. Fenerbahçe's first jerseys that came from England were made of flannel fabric, long-sleeved and winter. The jerseys were causing problems for the players as the weather got hotter in the following days. For this reason, the club's president,Nurizade Ziya Bey, went to the shop of the British merchant Baker in theTünel district ofBeyoğlu in 1908 to order summer jerseys for the team. Baker said that the jerseys to be ordered will not be available in time for the summer. Thereupon, he offered to give the yellow-navy blue striped summer shirts he had on hand.Nurizade Ziya Bey, who accepted the offer due to the lack of places where other sports products were sold in Istanbul and the summer heat, bought all the jerseys and decided that the team's colors would be yellow-navy blue And with this decision taken in 1908, Fenerbahçe's future colors were determined.[79][80]
The club badge for the 2023–24 season contains 5 stars to represent 28 championships as an act of protest against theTFF's lack of recognition of the club's pre-1959 titles. However, the Federation has not allowed Fenerbahçe to display the badge in league matches.
The cover of the Ottoman sports magazineİdman with original color tones of Fenerbahçe (28 June 1913)
Turkish daily newspaperCumhuriyet announcing the Turkish championship (Türkiye Şampiyonu) title of Fenerbahçe on November 1933.
Fenerbahçe is officially recognized by theTurkish Football Federation as having 19Süper Lig titles. However, the club argues that its championships won before 1959 should also be counted as official league titles. Before theSüper Lig was established in 1959, Turkey had other national competitions, such as theTurkish Football Championship (1924–1951) andMillî Küme (1937–1950). These were the highest-level tournaments at the time, and Fenerbahçe believes that its titles from these competitions should be officially recognized. If accepted, this change would impact not only Fenerbahçe but also other clubs that won national titles before 1959. The club has submitted an official request to theTurkish Football Federation to acknowledge these past championships, arguing that they hold the same legitimacy asSüper Lig titles.
In April 2021, theheadmaster ofGalatasaray High School, Vahdettin Engin, as a historian, does not think it is right to ignore the championships before 1959 and only accept the championships from 1959 onwards.[82]
According to historians' analysis of the 2002 Turkish Football Federation Arbitration Board (tahkim kurulu) decision, which stated that the Turkish League Championships began before 1959 and the championships before 1959 cannot be left uncounted.[83][84]
Fenerbahçe filed a lawsuit against Turkey (Turkish Football Federation) at theEuropean Court of Human Rights in October 2023. As a result, the European Court of Human Rights initiated preliminary proceedings against Turkey (Turkish Football Federation) in March 2025. According to the initial assessment of a Turkish lawyer, Fenerbahçe's rights have been violated.[85]
As part of this effort, Fenerbahçe has announced its decision to add five stars above its club emblem, symbolizing what it considers 28 national championships.[86] According to theTFF’s official star system, clubs receive one star for every fiveSüper Lig titles, meaning Fenerbahçe currently has three stars for its 19 officially recognized league wins. However, if its pre–1959 championships were recognized, Fenerbahçe would qualify for five stars.
DespiteTFF not approving this claim, Fenerbahçe has unilaterally decided to use the five-star emblem on its jerseys, branding, and club identity. The club made this announcement after a meeting of its High Council Board, stating that it will not wait forTFF’s approval and will proceed with its own recognition of historical achievements. This move has sparked intense debate withinTurkish football, as it challenges the federation’s star system and could set a precedent for other clubs seeking recognition for their pre-1959 titles. This dispute continues to be a major topic inTurkish football, with potential legal and historical implications that could reshape the country’s championship records.
Fenerbahçe PresidentAli Koç announced during the Ordinary High Council Board Meeting that the club will temporarily remove the stars from its jerseys for upcoming matches.[87] This decision comes after theTurkish Football Federation established a commission to investigate the recognition of pre–1959 championships.
Koç stated that Fenerbahçe respects the process and will wait for the commission’s findings. Until a final ruling is made, the club will play without any stars on its jerseys, emphasizing its stance on historical championship recognition. This move is seen as a strategic decision by Fenerbahçe to put pressure on theTFF, highlighting its demand for equal recognition of championships won before 1959. The club remains firm in its belief that its 28 total national championships should be acknowledged inTurkish football history.
Fenerbahçe set a world record in the1922–23 season by winning the championship without conceding a single goal. In 1959, they became the first champion of theTurkish First Football League, which was organized for the first time that year. Fenerbahçe also holds an international milestone, winning theBalkans Cup in 1968.[92] In the1969–70 season, Fenerbahçe conceded only 6 goals, a record for the fewest goals conceded in a single season, which still stands today. In the1988–89 season, Fenerbahçe scored 103 goals in 36 matches, achieving an average of 2.86 goals per game, the highest goal average in a single season.[93]
Müjdat Yetkiner, who played for Fenerbahçe between 1975 and 1980, holds the record for the most appearances for the club, with 570 matches.[94]Zeki Rıza Sporel, who played between 1915 and 1934, scored 470 goals in 353 matches, making him the all-time top scorer for Fenerbahçe.[95] In the history of theTurkish First Football League,Aykut Kocaman holds the record for the most goals scored in the league while wearing a Fenerbahçe jersey, netting 140 goals in 212 matches. In the1992–93 season, during Fenerbahçe’s 7–1 victory overKarşıyaka,Tanju Çolak set the record for the most goals scored in a single match in theTurkish First Football League by scoring six goals.[96]
Fenerbahçe has a storied history inEuropean football, achieving several significant milestones. In the2007–08 UEFA Champions League, they reached the quarter-finals for the first time, becoming the second Turkish club afterGalatasaray to do so. In the quarter-final stage, Fenerbahçe facedChelsea. In the first leg atŞükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in Istanbul, Fenerbahçe secured a 2–1 victory.[97][98] However, in the return leg atStamford Bridge in London, Chelsea won 2–0, resulting in a 3–2 aggregate loss for Fenerbahçe, ending their historic run in the competition. In the2012–13 UEFA Europa League, Fenerbahçe advanced to the semi-finals, marking their deepest run in European competitions to date. They facedBenfica in the semi-final. In the first leg in Istanbul, Fenerbahçe won 1–0. However, in the second leg atEstádio da Luz in Lisbon, Benfica triumphed 3–1, leading to a 3–2 aggregate defeat for Fenerbahçe, thus halting their progress to the final.[99] In the2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League, Fenerbahçe reached the quarter-finals. They facedOlympiacos in the quarter-final stage. In the first leg inPiraeus, Olympiacos secured a 3–2 victory. In the return leg in Istanbul, Fenerbahçe won 1–0, leveling the aggregate score at 3–3. The match proceeded to a penalty shootout, where Fenerbahçe was eliminated after a 4–2 loss in penalties.[100] These European campaigns have solidified Fenerbahçe’s reputation as a competitive force in international football, showcasing their ability to contend with some ofEurope’s elite clubs.
Since their inception, Fenerbahçe has completed over a century of seasons, with the vast majority played in the highest division of Turkish football, known today as theSüper Lig. They are the longest-serving club in the league and have played continuously in the Turkish top flight since its establishment in1959. Fenerbahçe has won twenty-eight national championships across different eras of Turkish football, finishing first more frequently than any other team. Having finished second in numerous league campaigns, Fenerbahçe has consistently ranked among the top clubs in Turkish football history. Their lowest-ever league finish remains a rare occurrence, with the club being a dominant force for over a century.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Fenerbahçe managers to have won major honours. Trophies in italics areregional competitions that were held before the establishment of national leagues and cups.
^Although it is known that the club was founded in the spring of 1907, the day and month are unknown. The founding date is traditionally regarded as 3 May in honor ofRepublic of Turkey's founderMustafa Kemal Atatürk's date of visit of the club in 1918.
^"FENERBAHÇE (FB) TOPLAM ŞAMPİYONLUK SAYISI".Hürriyet (Online) (in Turkish). 2023. Retrieved23 May 2024.... Fenerbahçe, toplamda 28 Türkiye şampiyonluğu ile en çok şampiyon olan Türk futbol takımıdır. Süper Lig'de 19 kez, Millî Küme'de 6, Türkiye Futbol Şampiyonası'nda ise 3 kez birinci olarak Türk futbol tarihinde en çok millî şampiyonluk yaşamış takımdır ...'
^"Fenerbahçe Spor Kulübü 116 yaşında".Anadolu Ajansı (Online) (in Turkish). 3 April 2023. Retrieved23 May 2024.... Futboldaki başarılar – Sarı-lacivertliler, 19'u Süper Lig, 6'sı Milli Küme ve 3'ü Türkiye Futbol Şampiyonası adı altında toplamda 28 kez Türkiye Şampiyonu oldu. ...'
Yüce, Mehmet (2014).Osmanlı Melekleri: Futbol Tarihimizin Kadim Devreleri Türkiye Futbol Tarihi – Birinci Cilt (in Turkish). Istanbul: İletişim Yayınları.ISBN9789750515804.
Yüce, Mehmet (2015).İdmancı Ruhlar: Futbol Tarihimizin Klasik Devreleri: 1923–1952 Türkiye Futbol Tarihi – 2. Cilt (in Turkish). Istanbul: İletişim Yayınları.ISBN9789750516955.
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