| Full name | Gaziantep Futbol KulübüA.Ş.[1] | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | Şahinler (The Falcons) | |||
| Short name | GFK | |||
| Founded | 1988; 38 years ago (1988) (asSankospor) 1999; 27 years ago (1999) (asGaziantep Büyükşehir Belediyespor) 2017; 9 years ago (2017) (asGazişehir Gaziantep Futbol Kulübü) 2019; 7 years ago (2019) (asGaziantep Futbol Kulübü) | |||
| Ground | Gaziantep Stadium | |||
| Capacity | 30,320 | |||
| Chairman | Memik Yılmaz | |||
| Head coach | Burak Yılmaz | |||
| League | Süper Lig | |||
| 2024–25 | Süper Lig, 14th of 19 | |||
| Website | www | |||
Gaziantep Futbol Kulübü is a Turkish professionalfootball club based inGaziantep. Founded in 1988, the club plays in theSüper Lig, the highest tier of Turkish football.
The club was founded as Sankospor in 1988 and competed at the amateur level until 1993. They competed between theTFF Third League andTFF First League until 2019, when they were promoted to theSüper Lig. During the 2020–21 season, the club reached the top of the standings in week 17, which they held for one week until being overtaken byBeşiktaş.
In February 2023, Gaziantep F.K. withdrew from the2022–23 Süper Lig season following the devastating2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, which severely impacted the city ofGaziantep and the club's facilities.[2] TheTurkish Football Federation (TFF) accepted the withdrawal request and approved the club's rights to remain in the Süper Lig for the following season, exempting them from relegation despite missing the remainder of the campaign.[3]
The club returned to competition for the2023–24 Süper Lig season, playing their home matches at theKalyon Stadium. They finished the 2023–24 campaign in 11th place, securing their position in the top flight.[4] In the subsequent 2024–25 season, the team continued to compete in the Süper Lig under the management ofSelçuk İnan, who had been appointed head coach in March 2024.[5]
The club was founded in 1988 asSankospor under the sponsorship of Sanko Holding, an industrial group based inGaziantep.[6] Initially competing in amateur leagues, the team turned professional and entered theTFF Third League in 1993. They achieved promotion to theTFF First League (then known as the 2. Lig) after winning their group in the 1996–97 season.[7]
In 1999, the club's name was changed toGaziantep Büyükşehir Belediyespor as it came under the administration of theGaziantep Metropolitan Municipality. The team spent several decades fluctuating between the second and third tiers of Turkish football. A significant achievement during this era was winning the TFF Second League Group C title in the 2004–05 season, scoring a record 93 goals.[8]
In June 2017, the club underwent a major restructuring and rebranding, changing its name toGazişehir Gaziantep Futbol Kulübü.[9] Under the presidency of Adil Sani Konukoğlu, the club aimed for the top flight. After losing the play-off final in the 2017–18 season, they secured promotion to theSüper Lig the following year by defeatingHatayspor in the 2018–19 play-off final.[10] Following this promotion, the club adopted its current name,Gaziantep Futbol Kulübü (Gaziantep FK), in October 2019 to represent the entire city more broadly.
In February 2023, Gaziantep F.K. withdrew from all competitions for the remainder of the 2022–23 season following the devastating2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, which severely affected the city ofGaziantep. TheTurkish Football Federation (TFF) accepted the withdrawal and guaranteed the club's place in the Süper Lig for the following season.[11][12]
Following their withdrawal from the2022–23 Süper Lig due to the2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, Gaziantep FK returned to competition for the 2023–24 season. The club finished the campaign in 11th place with 44 points, securing their status in the top flight under the management ofSelçuk İnan, who had taken charge during the season.[13]
In the 2024–25 season, the team struggled to replicate their previous stability, eventually finishing in 14th place. Selçuk İnan departed the club by mutual agreement in May 2025, following a tenure of approximately one and a half years.[14]
Ahead of the 2025–26 season, the club appointed former Turkish internationalBurak Yılmaz as head coach in August 2025. Yılmaz's tenure saw a period of turbulence in December 2025 when he announced his resignation following a home defeat toGöztepe, only to be reinstated shortly thereafter.[15] As of early 2026, Yılmaz remained in charge as the team competed in the middle of the Süper Lig table.[16]
The earliest colors of Gaziantep Futbol Kulübü were blue and white, reflecting the club’s identity at its foundation in the lower divisions. In June 2017, following a decision by the club council, the official colors were altered to a white-red-black combination, which has remained the primary palette ever since.[17]
The club’s crest was redesigned at the same time as the color change. The modern emblem incorporates stylized elements inspired by the region’s cultural heritage, especially the layered pattern reminiscent of baklava slices, a symbol closely associated with Gaziantep’s culinary tradition.23 The use of red and black in the logo emphasizes dynamism and strength, while white provides contrast and visual balance.[18][19][18][19]
The official colors are consistently featured across the team’s kits, merchandise, and branding. Red is the dominant primary color, often paired with black for trim and secondary elements, and white for accents in both home and away jerseys. These colors are intended to reflect the club’s ambition and the historical roots of Gaziantep’s sporting culture.
Gaziantep FK plays its home matches at theGaziantep Stadium, a multi-purpose venue located in the Şehitkamil district ofGaziantep.[20] The stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 33,502 spectators and features a hybrid grass surface.[21] The club previously played at theKamil Ocak Stadium, which served as the city's primary football venue from 1988 until January 2017. Following the opening of the new stadium, the Kamil Ocak Stadium was demolished in 2018.[22] Between 2000 and 2005, during its time asGaziantep Büyükşehir Belediyespor, the team also utilized the smallerGASKİ Stadium.
The new stadium was known as theGaziantep Stadium for sponsorship reasons from its opening in 2017 until the end of the 2023–24 season. In August 2024, following the expiration of the sponsorship deal with Kalyon and a brief period without a title sponsor, the venue was renamedGaziantep Stadium (Gaziantep Metropolitan Stadium) as part of a new agreement with the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality.[23][24]
Following the2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, which caused significant devastation in the region, Gaziantep FK withdrew from the remainder of the 2022–23 Süper Lig season. The stadium itself did not suffer irreparable structural failure, allowing the team to return to their home ground for the start of the 2023–24 season.[25]
Although they share a similar name and colors, Gaziantep F.K. is a distinct entity from the historic clubGaziantepspor, which was dissolved in 2020. Gaziantep F.K. was originally founded in 1988 asSankospor and later competed for many years asGaziantep Büyükşehir Belediyespor (Gaziantep BB).[26]
Following Gaziantepspor's financial collapse and subsequent relegation from theSüper Lig, Gaziantep BB emerged as the primary representative of the city in professional football. To appeal to the city's fanbase and fill the void left by the former club, the team underwent a series of rebranding efforts. In June 2017, the club changed its name toGazişehir Gaziantep.[27] Two years later, in October 2019, theTurkish Football Federation (TFF) officially approved the club's request to change its name toGaziantep Futbol Kulübü (Gaziantep F.K.).[28]
Gaziantepspor, which had been the city's main club since 1969, officially ceased operations in July 2020 after declaring bankruptcy and withdrawing from the amateur leagues.[29] While Gaziantep F.K. adopted the red and black colors associated with the city's footballing tradition, it has no legal connection to the dissolved club's debts or history.
The following is a list of seasons played by Gaziantep FK since its foundation in 1988. The club was founded asSankospor (1988–1999), later becomingGaziantep Büyükşehir Belediyespor (1999–2016),Gazişehir Gaziantep (2017–2019), and finallyGaziantep FK in 2019.[30]
| Season | League | Domestic Cup | Top goalscorer(s) (All competitions) | Ref | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Info | ||||
| 1988–93 | During the 1988–93 season, Gaziantep FK competed at the amateur level. | [31] | |||||||||||
| 1993–94 | 3. Lig | 3rd | 24 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 33 | 22 | 38 | [31] | |||
| 1994–95 | 9th | 26 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 24 | 28 | 34 | [31] | ||||
| 1995–96 | 3rd | 26 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 51 | 22 | 52 | [31] | ||||
| 1996–97 | 1st | 34 | 27 | 4 | 3 | 66 | 15 | 85 | Promoted | [31] | |||
| 1997–98 | 2. Lig | 4th | 32 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 42 | 34 | 45 | 3R | [31] | ||
| 1998–99 | 4th | 32 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 48 | 42 | 52 | 3R | [31] | |||
| 1999–00 | 3rd | 32 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 58 | 26 | 61 | 1R | [31] | |||
| 2000–01 | 5th | 32 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 51 | 45 | 44 | Relegated[a] | 2R | [31] | ||
| 2001–02 | 2. Lig B | 2nd | 32 | 19 | 7 | 6 | 66 | 28 | 64 | Play-off - QF | 3R | [31] | |
| 2002–03 | 2nd | 32 | 20 | 4 | 8 | 51 | 26 | 64 | 2R | [31] | |||
| 2003–04 | 4th | 32 | 16 | 6 | 10 | 59 | 43 | 54 | 2R | [31] | |||
| 2004–05 | 1st | 32 | 22 | 7 | 3 | 90 | 43 | 73 | Promoted | 2R | [31] | ||
| 2005–06 | 1. Lig | 13th | 34 | 12 | 5 | 17 | 47 | 52 | 41 | 2R | [31] | ||
| 2006–07 | 10th | 34 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 47 | 48 | 42 | GS | [31] | |||
| 2007–08 | 14th | 34 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 53 | 51 | 39 | 2R | [31] | |||
| 2008–09 | 6th | 34 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 35 | 40 | 40 | GS | [31] | |||
| 2009–10 | 12th | 34 | 11 | 8 | 15 | 31 | 38 | 41 | 2R | [31] | |||
| 2010–11 | 3rd | 32 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 43 | 26 | 57 | Play-off - Final | QF | [31] | ||
| 2011–12 | 14th | 34 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 36 | 37 | 40 | 3R | [31] | |||
| 2012–13 | 13th | 34 | 11 | 8 | 15 | 37 | 43 | 41 | 4R | [31] | |||
| 2013–14 | 14th | 36 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 30 | 47 | 41 | 4R | [31] | |||
| 2014–15 | 13th | 34 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 38 | 47 | 41 | GS | [31] | |||
| 2015–16 | 8th | 34 | 11 | 15 | 8 | 38 | 33 | 48 | 3R | [31] | |||
| 2016–17 | 13th | 34 | 9 | 10 | 15 | 37 | 46 | 37 | 3R | [31] | |||
| 2017–18 | 6th | 34 | 15 | 8 | 11 | 57 | 38 | 53 | Play-off - Final | 3R | [31] | ||
| 2018–19 | 5th | 34 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 60 | 31 | 59 | Play-off Winners | 3R | [31] | ||
| 2019–20 | Süper Lig | 8th | 34 | 11 | 13 | 10 | 49 | 50 | 46 | R16 | [31][32] | ||
| 2020–21 | 9th | 40 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 59 | 51 | 58 | R16 | [31][33] | |||
| 2021–22 | 15th | 38 | 12 | 10 | 16 | 48 | 56 | 46 | QF | [31][34] | |||
| 2022–23 | 18th | 36 | 6 | 7 | 23 | 31 | 72 | 25 | QF[b] | [35] | |||
| 2023–24 | 11th | 38 | 12 | 8 | 18 | 50 | 57 | 44 | R16 | [31][36] | |||
| 2024–25 | 14th | 36 | 12 | 9 | 15 | 45 | 50 | 45 | GS | [31][37] | |||
| 2025–26 | 8th | 20 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 27 | 34 | 25 | GS | [38] | |||
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.
|
|
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| President | |
| Vice President | |
| Vice President | |
| Vice President | |
| Vice President | |
| General Secretary | |
| Finance and Financial Affairs Coordinator | |
| Football Branch Manager | |
| Foreign Relations Coordinator | |
| Public Institutions and Legal Coordinator | |
| Tartar Liaison Officer | |
| TFF Relations Coordinator | |
| Infrastructure Coordinator | |
| Development and Investment Coordinator | |
| Store Coordinator | |
| Marketing Coordinator | |
| Wheelchair Basketball Team Coordinator | |
| Stadium and Security Coordinator | |
| Infrastructure Facilities Coordinator |
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | |
| Assistant Coach | |
| Assistant Coach | |
| Assistant Coach | |
| Assistant Coach | |
| Athletic Performance Coach | |
| Athletic Performance Coach | |
| Analysis and Assistant Coach | |
| Analysis Coach | |
| Goalkeeper Coach |
Gaziantep FK has experienced significant managerial turnover, particularly following its rebranding and promotion to theSüper Lig. In the 2024–2025 season, the club was managed bySelçuk İnan, who had been appointed in March 2024 to replaceMarius Șumudică.[44] İnan departed by mutual consent in May 2025 after 428 days in charge.[45]
For the 2025–2026 season, the club initially hiredİsmet Taşdemir in June 2025, signing him to a 1+1 year contract.[46] However, Taşdemir's tenure was short-lived; he parted ways with the club on August 18, 2025, following defeats in the first two weeks of the season againstGalatasaray andKonyaspor.[47] He was replaced byBurak Yılmaz, who resigned on December 15, 2025, only to be re-appointed four days later on December 19, 2025, following talks with club president Memik Yılmaz.[48][49]
| Name | Nat | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bünyamin Süral | 1994 | 1996 | |
| Şevket Kesler | 1996 | 1999 | |
| Mehmet Şahan | 1999 | 2001 | |
| Erol Azgın | 2001 | 2004 | |
| Ali Güneş | 2004 | 2005 | |
| Sedat Karabük | 2005 | 2006 | |
| Suat Kaya | 2006 | 2007 | |
| Bünyamin Süral | 2007 | 2008 | |
| Suat Kaya | 2008 | 2009 | |
| Cemal Gürsel Menteşe | 2009 | 2010 | |
| Erol Azgın | 2010 | 2011 | |
| Bünyamin Süral | 2011 | 2012 | |
| Mehmet Şahan | 2012 | 2013 | |
| Suat Kaya | 2013 | 2013 | |
| Hasan Özer | 2013 | 2014 | |
| Hakan Kutlu | 2014 | 2015 | |
| Bayram Bektaş | 2015 | 2016 | |
| Bülent Bölükbaşı | 2016 | 2016 | |
| Metin Diyadin | 2016 | 2017 | |
| Oğuz Çetin | 2017 | 2017 | |
| Hüseyin Kalpar | 2017 | 2017 | |
| Erkan Sözeri | 2017 | 2018 | |
| Yalçın Koşukavak | 2018 | 2018 | |
| Mehmet Altıparmak | 2018 | 2019 | |
| Marius Șumudică | 2019 | 2021 | |
| Ricardo Sá Pinto | 2021 | 2021 | |
| Erol Bulut | 2021 | 2023 | |
| Erdal Güneş | 2023 | 2023 | |
| Marius Șumudică | 2023 | 2024 | |
| Selçuk İnan | 2024 | 2025 | |
| İsmet Taşdemir | 2025 | 2025 | |
| Burak Yılmaz | 2025 | Present |
The club has been led by various presidents since its foundation as Sankospor in 1988. The following is a list of presidents from the club's establishment, through its era as Gaziantep Büyükşehir Belediyespor (1999–2017), to its current identity as Gaziantep FK.[50]
| Name | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 1992 | |
| 1992 | - | |
| 2004 | 2005 | |
| 2005 | - | |
| - | 2014 | |
| May 2014 | November 2014 | |
| November 2014 | June 2017 | |
| 15 June 2017 | 12 September 2019 | |
| 12 September 2019 | 25 May 2021 | |
| 25 May 2021 | 10 January 2023 | |
| 10 January 2023 | Present |
Following the resignation of Cevdet Akınal in January 2023, Memik Yılmaz assumed the presidency.[51] Yılmaz was officially elected as the club's chairman during the extraordinary general assembly held in June 2023 and was re-elected for another term on 13 June 2025.[52][53] Under his leadership, the club navigated the aftermath of the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes and continued to compete in theSüper Lig through the 2025–26 season.
Yönetime ise tamamı sanayicilerden oluşan 29 üye seçildi. Kurulda yapılan tüzük değişikliği ile de kulübün ismi Gazişehir Gaziantep Futbol Kulübü, amblemi beyaz-kırmızı-siyah renklerinde baklava dilimli "G" harfi, kulüp renklerinin ise beyaz-kırmızı-siyah olarak değiştirilmesi oy birliğiyle kabul edildi.