Trabzonspor Kulübü is a Turkish professionalsports club located in the city ofTrabzon, located innortheasternTurkey. Established in 1967 through the merger of several local clubs, Trabzonspor is one of the most prominentfootball clubs inTurkish history. The men’s football team has won sevenSüper Lig championships, making Trabzonspor the first non-Istanbul-based club to achieve this feat in theTurkish league system.[1] In addition to their football achievements, Trabzonspor also operates awomen’s football team, amen’s basketball team, and several other sports branches, reinforcing its status as a multi-sport club.
Trabzonspor rose to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s, dominatingTurkish football with six league titles between the1975–76 and1983–84 seasons. This golden era marked the club as a powerhouse, with Trabzonspor becoming a symbol of regional pride and the only club to challenge the dominance ofIstanbul-based teams, such asFenerbahçe,Galatasaray, andBeşiktaş.[2] During this period, they also won nineTurkish Cups, including a streak of three consecutive league titles in1978–79,1979–80, and1980–81.
After their sixth league title in1983–84, Trabzonspor endured a 38-year championship drought, marked by near-misses and structural rebuilding. This drought ended triumphantly in the2021–22 season, as Trabzonspor clinched their seventh league title, led by a strong squad and under the management ofAbdullah Avcı. The victory sparked massive celebrations across the city and reaffirmed the club’s status as one of Turkey’s most decorated and respected teams.[3]
There were four clubs in Trabzon in Early years :İdmanocağı (1921),İdmangücü (1913),Necmiati (1923) andTrabzon Lisesi. All four clubs competed against each other in the Trabzon Amateur Regional League. in 1923, two of the clubs, İdmanocağı and İdmangücü, held a fierce rivalry that was equal to theFenerbahçe andGalatasaray rivalry.[5]
The rivalry reached its peak from 1930 on. İdmanocağı won five titles in a row from 1929 to 1933, with İdmangücü besting the record with seven titles in a row from 1934 to 1940. The league was dominated by Lise for six years, before İdmangücü took back the title in 1947–48.[6] More clubs were being founded in Trabzon at the time, including Doğan Gençlik,Akçaabat Sebatspor, Sürmene Gençlik, Zafer Gençlik, Yolspor, and Yalıspor.[5]
The rivalry betweenTrabzon İdmanocağı andİdmangücü splitTrabzon into two, with one side taking the red and yellows (İdmanocağı), and the other taking the green and whites (İdmangücü). The split frustrated the fans as well as the players, which led to some ofTrabzon's biggest talents moving toAnkara andIstanbul to play football. These included Hasan Polat and Ali Polat (Gençlerbirliği), Selim Satıroğlu and Ahmet Karlıklı (Galatasaray), Zekeriya Bali (Fenerbahçe), and Nazmi Bilge (Beşiktaş).[5]
The Merger and the Birth of Trabzonspor (1962–1973)
At the start of the 1962–63 season, then president of theTurkish Football Federation, Orhan Şeref Apak, asked cities to combine their football clubs into one representative team, and have them compete in theMilli Lig (Süper Lig). However, due to the rivalry betweenİdmanocağı andİdmangücü, the city ofTrabzon weren't able to merge. City and club officials would meet every morning and night to iron out an agreement, but it never materialized.[5]
Instead, onlyİdmanocağı,Martıspor, andYıldızspor merged on 21 June 1966. They began wearing yellow and red kits and competed in the1.Lig (Second Division). They finished eighth place in their first season, as well as runners-up for theBaşbakanlık Kupası.[7] A month later,İdmangücü,Karadenizgücü,Martıspor, andYolspor merged to form Trabzonspor. Their club colours were red and white.[5]
İdmanocağı opposed the merger and took up a lawsuit against the newly founded Trabzonspor. Ulvi Yenal, head of Physical Education, decided to step in and announce that neitherİdmanocağı norİdmangücü would be accepted into the1.Lig. This sent a shockwave thru both clubs. Until these two clubs decided to unify into one club, the city ofTrabzon would not have a professional representative. In the end,İdmanocağı andİdmangücü decided to merge, along withKaradenizgücü andMartıspor, to become Trabzonspor on 2 August 1967.[5]
Everything was set up, but the club still ran into another roadblock: club colours. The club came to the decision after five meetings with fans and club officials. At first, it was suggested the club should wear the predecessor colours together (yellow-red and green-white), but it was deemed not suitable. It was then suggested that a poll be held, but that was also quickly cast aside. The fans and club officials began to lose patience untilTurkish Football Federation General Manager Ulvi Yenal came up with a compromise. He suggested that both clubs,İdmanocağı andİdmangücü, should choose a colour opposite of their own club colours. It was then both clubs came up with maroon and blue.[5]
Founding Years and the Journey to the Top (1967–1973)
This period is remembered as the years Trabzonspor played in theTurkish Second Football League. In 1967, the Trabzonspor was established under the roof of Trabzonspor and started competing in theSecond League White Group during the 1967-68 football season.[8] Trabzonspor completed its first year in professional leagues in 6th place among 20 teams in this league, followingBoluspor.[9]
In the following two years, Trabzonspor finished 4th in the league.[10][11] In the 1970–71 season, Trabzonspor finished 8th.[12]During the 1971–72 football season, Trabzonspor competed in the Red Group but missed promotion to theTurkish First Football League (currently called theSüper Lig) by two points.[13]A year later, Trabzonspor experienced the same fate; despite having the same points as the leader (Kayserispor), it finished second due to goal difference and failed to achieve promotion to theTurkish First Football League.[14]In the 1973–74 season, Trabzonspor won the Red Group by finishing six points ahead of its closest rival,Sakaryaspor. Although Trabzonspor lost the championship match against the winner of the other group (Zonguldakspor) in a penalty shootout, it finally earned promotion to the Turkish First Football League.[15]During these years, players likeNecmi Perekli,Şenol Güneş, andCemil Usta, who would later become part of the championship-winning team, started to feature in the squad.[16]Perekli became the league’s top scorer twice while playing for Trabzonspor.[17][18]
Ahmet Suat Özyazıcı took over as manager in 1973. Özyazıcı played forİdmanocağı, the precursor club to Trabzonspor. This period covers Trabzonspor’s phase after being promoted to theTurkish First Football League. Trabzonspor was promoted to the Turkish First Football League in 1974.[19] Its first season in this league was the1974–75 season, during which Trabzonspor finished 9th with 30 points.[20] In addition, during the same year, Trabzonspor reached the final of theTurkish Cup but failed to win the trophy after defeatingBeşiktaş 1–0 at home and losing 2–0 inIstanbul.[21]
The1975–76 football season was the first time Trabzonspor won theTurkish First Football League championship.[22] During this season, Trabzonspor climbed to the top of the league after defeatingFenerbahçe 1–0 inTrabzon and maintained its lead until the end of the season. Under the leadership ofAhmet Suat Özyazıcı, the team secured the championship with 43 points, three points ahead ofFenerbahçe.
During the1976–77 season,Necmi Perekli became the first player from Trabzonspor to become the league’s top scorer, scoring 18 goals.[28] During this era, Trabzonspor’s goalkeeperŞenol Güneş achieved an extraordinary feat by not conceding a goal for 1,110 minutes between 17 September 1978 and 18 February 1979. This record made him the longest unbeaten goalkeeper inTurkey’s leagues and the 15th longest in world football history.[29]
During this period, Trabzonspor also made their mark inEuropean football. The club famously defeated the then-English championsLiverpool 1–0 in the first leg of their second-round match-up in the1976–77 European Cup, although they were eliminated after losing the second leg 3–0.[30]
From 1984 to the 1994–95 season, Trabzonspor finished seasons in rankings ranging from third to seventh place.[34] Undergoing a new squad restructuring, Trabzonspor, during the tenure of head coachGeorges Leekens in the 1992–93 season, fell 10 points behind the leader in the first ten weeks of the season. The team went six weeks without a win, experiencing one of the worst periods in its history.
However, players likeÜnal Karaman (who later became captain of the national team) andTolunay Kafkas were brought into the squad during this time. They became key players in Trabzonspor’s starting lineup as the team finished second in the league during the1994–95 and1995–96 seasons and re-entered the championship race. During this period, Trabzonspor’s most notable achievements were theTurkish Cup titles won in 1992 and 1995, thePresidential Cup in 1995, and thePrime Minister’s Cup victories in 1985 and 1994.[35]
1995–96 Season: Triumphs, Tragedies, and Missed Glory
With the end of the 1993–94 season, Trabzonspor appointed its former captainŞenol Güneş, who had been managingİstanbulspor, as the head coach.[36] AlongsideHami Mandıralı, who is Trabzonspor’s all-time top scorer with 218 goals, andOgün Temizkanoğlu, players likeShota Arveladze andArchil Arveladze were added to the squad.[37] Shota made a significant impact by scoring numerous goals in his first year.
Trabzonspor lost the championship toBeşiktaş in the 1994–95 season but managed to win both theTurkish Cup and thePresidential Cup.[38] In the 1995–96 season, where Shota became the league’s top scorer,[39] Trabzonspor missed the championship once again. On 5 May 1996, in a match held atHüseyin Avni Aker Stadium, Trabzonspor took a 1–0 lead but lost 2–1 toFenerbahçe after goals fromOğuz Çetin in the 55th minute andAykut Kocaman in the 82nd minute. This loss is considered a significant trauma in Trabzonspor’s history. Following the match, a fan inGörele,Giresun, deeply saddened by the loss, committed suicide, leaving a note that read: "Wrap me in a Trabzonspor flag when I am buried. No one is responsible for my death. If I were to be reborn, I would want to be born as a Trabzonspor fan again."
Despite failing to win the championship, Trabzonspor managed to secure thePrime Minister's Cup at the end of the season. However, the effects of the missed championship lingered into the next season. After an away match againstKocaelispor, fans were involved in a fatal car accident on their way back. At the funeral of the victims, players faced significant backlash, and captainOgün Temizkanoğlu was attacked by fans.
The early 2000s were one of the most unsuccessful periods in Trabzonspor’s history. In the2001–02 season, the team finished 14th in the league, marking the worst season in its history.[41] Additionally, this season went down in history as the one where Trabzonspor conceded the most goals and suffered the most defeats.
After Trabzonspor lost a match toFenerbahçe inIstanbul in 2004, Trabzonspor fans accused refereeCem Papila of making incorrect decisions that cost the team the championship.[47] Fans organized a protest inTrabzon attended by 40,000 people, calling for the resignation of theFederation and the Central Referee Board. Following the backlash, Cem Papila announced his retirement from refereeing.
Under the presidency of Nuri Albayrak, Trabzonspor sought success by signing high-profile foreign players likeMarcelinho[48] andKiki Musampa.[49] However, these players struggled to adapt to the team.
In 2008, Sadri Şener was elected as president.[50] Following this, a large part of the squad was replaced, withErsun Yanal being appointed as head coach and 25 new players being transferred.[51] With these transfers, Trabzonspor competed for the championship until the final weeks of the2008–09 season, ultimately finishing third.[52]
2010s: Challenges, Rebuilding, and Financial Restructuring
The Trabzonspor management appointedHugo Broos as head coach for the following season, but his contract was terminated after poor results.[53]Şenol Güneş was then hired as his replacement. With Güneş at the helm, the team achieved positive results. In the2009–10 season, Trabzonspor won both theTurkish Super Cup and theTurkish Cup.[54] Trabzonspor finished the first half of the2010–11 season as league leaders.[55] However, despite finishing the season with 82 points, Trabzonspor lost the title toFenerbahçe on goal difference. That season, following the match-fixing case involvingFenerbahçe on 3 July 2011, Trabzonspor requested that the championship trophy be awarded to them. During the same period,UEFA bannedFenerbahçe fromEuropean competitions for two years. Trabzonspor decided to take the matter toCAS andFIFA. While this process was ongoing, Trabzonspor lost several key players and entered the2011–12 season with a significantly different squad, finishing in third place.
In the2012–13 season, Sadri Şener was succeeded byİbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu as club president. After losing 3–1 toElazığspor in the 19th week of the season,Şenol Güneş, who had been managing the team since 2009, resigned, andTolunay Kafkas was appointed as interim head coach until the end of the season. The team performed poorly compared to the previous season, finishing ninth in the league, but qualified for theUEFA Europa League by reaching theTurkish Cup final, where they lost 1–0 toFenerbahçe.
In the2013–14 season, Trabzonspor signed players such asFlorent Malouda andJosé Bosingwa and appointedMustafa Reşit Akçay as head coach. Despite struggling in the league, Trabzonspor successfully qualified for theUEFA Europa League group stage by defeatingDerry City,Dinamo Minsk, andKukesi in the qualifying rounds. In the group stage, they were drawn withLazio,Apollon Limassol, andLegia Warsaw, finishing as undefeated group leaders with 14 points. However, they were eliminated in the Round of 32 byJuventus, losing both legs 2–0. After Akçay resigned in the 20th week of the league,Hami Mandıralı was appointed as head coach. Trabzonspor finished fourth, qualifying for theEuropa League once again.
Before the2014–15 season,Vahid Halilhodžić was appointed as head coach, and the squad underwent significant changes, with nearly 20 new signings, includingÓscar Cardozo,Mehmet Ekici,Kévin Constant,Waris, andYatabare. However, poor results led to Halilhodžić’s dismissal after the 10th week, andErsun Yanal returned for a second stint. Under Yanal’s management, Trabzonspor performed better, advancing to the Europa League Round of 32 by finishing second in a group that includedMetalist Kharkiv,Lokeren, andLegia Warsaw. They were eliminated byNapoli, losing 4–0 at home and 1–0 in the return leg. Trabzonspor finished the league in fifth place, and Yanal departed at the end of the season.
Before the2015–16 season,Shota Arveladze was appointed head coach but resigned after an 11th-week loss toİstanbul Başakşehir. On 6 December 2015,Muharrem Usta was elected president. The team was temporarily managed bySadi Tekelioğlu until the mid-season break, after whichHami Mandıralı returned as head coach. During this period, Trabzonspor faced financial difficulties and disputes over player payments, leading to some foreign players leaving before the season ended. The team finished the league with 12 wins, 4 draws, and 18 losses, totaling 40 points and finishing in 12th place. They suffered their worst defeat in league history, losing 7–0 toAntalyaspor in the 33rd week.Hami Mandıralı resigned after the match.
Ahead of the2016–17 season,Ersun Yanal returned for his third stint as head coach. Under the leadership of president Muharrem Usta, Trabzonspor initiated a restructuring process ahead of the club’s 50th anniversary. Many players were released, and due to financial restrictions imposed byUEFA, the club focused on signing low-cost players. After a disappointing first half of the season, finishing 13th with 18 points, Trabzonspor strengthened their squad during the mid-season break. Moving to their new stadium,Şenol Güneş Stadium, the team improved significantly, climbing to fifth place. Trabzonspor played their first official match atŞenol Güneş Stadium on 29 January 2017, defeatingGaziantepspor 4–0, withFabian Castillo scoring the first goal in the new stadium’s history. Trabzonspor suffered their first defeat at the new stadium on 8 April 2017, losing 4–3 toBeşiktaş.
In the2018–19 season,Ahmet Ağaoğlu was elected as president, highlighting the club’s financial difficulties. Under Ağaoğlu’s leadership, the club restructured its debts, andÜnal Karaman, a club legend from the 1990s, was appointed head coach. Despite injuries to key players and a transfer ban during the mid-season window, the team finished fourth, five points behind championsGalatasaray. However, a crisis between Karaman and Ağaoğlu at the end of 2019 led to Karaman’s resignation, and assistant coachHüseyin Çimşir, who had previously won the league withBursaspor as a player, was appointed as head coach.
2020s: Resurgence and the Long-Awaited Championship
In the2019–20 season, thanks to debt restructuring and appropriate transfers, the team became one of the strongest candidates for the championship from the beginning of the season. It experienced its brightest period in the last 10 years, entering the break due to theCOVID-19 pandemic as league leaders with 8 weeks remaining. However, just before the season resumed, Trabzonspor was banned fromEuropean competitions byUEFA for violating financial fair play regulations. Following the pandemic break, the team experienced a performance drop and on 19 July 2020, missed out on what was its closest shot at the championship in 36 years. At the end of the season,İstanbul Başakşehir claimed the title. After the loss of the championship, head coachHüseyin Çimşir was dismissed, and his assistant,Eddie Newton, was appointed as the new head coach. That season, despite narrowly missing theSüper Lig title, Trabzonspor defeatedAlanyaspor in theTurkish Cup final, securing the trophy for the first time in 10 years, marking their 9thTurkish Cup victory.[56]
Trabzonspor continued withEddie Newton for the2020–21 season. However, after failing to deliver the expected performance in the first 8 weeks, Newton was dismissed, and the club signedAbdullah Avcı as head coach. UnderEddie Newton’s management, the team had dropped to the relegation zone, but withAbdullah Avcı’s arrival, Trabzonspor climbed to 4th place and finished the season in that position. Additionally, theTurkish Super Cup, which had been postponed the previous season due to the pandemic, was played on 27 January 2021, and Trabzonspor defeatedİstanbul Başakşehir to claim the trophy for the 9th time in their history.
In the 40 matches played in the league that season, Trabzonspor recorded 19 wins, 14 draws, and 7 losses, amassing 71 points to finish 4th. This result earned them a place in the2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League starting from thethird qualifying round. However, in the2020–21 Turkish Cup, Trabzonspor was eliminated in the 5th round byAdana Demirspor, losing 4–3 on penalties after a 2–2 draw in regular and extra time.
Trabzonspor made a strong start to the2021–22 Süper Lig season. On 30 April 2022, Trabzonspor clinched the2021–22 Süper Lig title, marking their first league championship in 38 years. The club’s previous league triumph was in the1983–84 season, and this historic victory ended nearly four decades of longing for their passionate fanbase. Trabzonspor secured the title after a 2–2 draw withAntalyaspor at their home ground,Şenol Güneş Sports Complex. The result ensured an unassailable lead at the top of the table with three matches remaining in the season.[3][57]
Under the management ofAbdullah Avcı, Trabzonspor demonstrated consistent performances throughout the season, maintaining a dominant position in the league standings. Their balanced squad and tactical discipline were instrumental in their success, with standout performances from key players such asAnastasios Bakasetas andAnthony Nwakaeme.
The championship victory was met with widespread celebrations acrossTrabzon and among the club’s global supporters. Fans filled the streets ofTrabzon, waving the club’s maroon-and-blue colors and chanting songs of triumph. The joyous occasion underscored the significance of the title, which reaffirmed Trabzonspor’s status as one of Turkey’s most historic and successful football clubs. This title was Trabzonspor’s seventhSüper Lig championship and their first since the introduction of the modernTurkish league format. It also marked a significant moment in Turkish football history, breaking the Istanbul-based dominance ofBeşiktaş,Fenerbahçe, andGalatasaray, which had collectively won every league title since 1984.[58][59][60][61]
After the 2021–22 title, Trabzonspor opened 2022–23 by winning theTurkish Super Cup, beatingSivasspor 4–0 in Istanbul.[62] TheirUEFA Champions League return ended in the play-off round againstCopenhagen (1–2 on aggregate), which sent the club into the UEFA Europa League group stage.[63] In Europa League Group H they finished third behindMonaco andFerencváros,[64] then dropped to the Europa Conference League, where they were eliminated byFC Basel in the knockout round play-offs (1–2 agg.).[65] A run of poor domestic results led head coachAbdullah Avcı to resign in March 2023; Croatian coachNenad Bjelica took over the following month, and the team finished sixth in the Süper Lig.[66][67][68] Bjelica departed in October 2023 and Avcı returned for a second spell; the club placed third in 2023–24 and reached the Turkish Cup final, losing 3–2 toBeşiktaş at theAtatürk Olympic Stadium, thereby securing qualification for the 2024–25 UEFA Europa League.[69][70][71]
In 2024–25, Trabzonspor started with an early European exit, losing toRapid Wien in theUEFA Europa League qualifying play-off (2–2 h, 0–3 a).[72] Head coach Abdullah Avcı then departed by mutual consent at the start of September,[73] and the team was taken over byŞenol Güneş toward the new year.[74] Domestically, Trabzonspor reached theTurkish Cup final but were beaten 3–0 by Galatasaray at theGaziantep Stadium on 23 May 2025,[75] and concluded the Süper Lig season in 7th place with 51 points.[76]
Trabzonspor have one of the largest provincial club followings inTurkey. The fanbase is noted for the slogan“Bize her yer Trabzon”(“Everywhere is Trabzon for us”), reflecting a strong presence across the country and among theTurkish diaspora inEurope.[77][78]
Home matches are played at theŞenol Güneş Sports Complex, where organised supporter groups produce large-scale choreographies and choreographed chanting. The venue’s all-seater configuration and capacity have helped sustain high attendances during title-contending seasons, including the 2021–22 campaign.[79][80]
Trabzonspor’s2021–22 Süper Lig title, which ended a 38-year wait, prompted nationwide celebrations inTrabzon and major cities such asIstanbul andAnkara, as well as gatherings by supporters abroad. Media outlets reported hundreds of thousands participating in parades and late-night festivities, underscoring the breadth of the club’s support beyond theBlack Sea region.[81][82]
In the long-standing rivalry betweenİdmanocağı andİdmangücü inTrabzon, the dominant colors were Red-Yellow and Green-White, respectively. It was decided that Trabzonspor’s colors should be different from these and should symbolizeTrabzon and theBlack Sea region. Various options were considered, including holding a competition to decide the colors, but this idea was later abandoned. Lengthy discussions were held day and night, but no conclusion was reached in the first four meetings. By the fifth meeting, tensions were high, and fans had run out of patience.
During these discussions, the then-president of theTurkish Football Federation, Orhan Şeref Apak, attempted to mediate. At a meeting in the office of the Federation’s General Manager, Ulvi Yenal, representatives from both clubs engaged in intense debates about selecting colors that were distinct from those of the rival clubs. Frustrated with the lack of progress, Yenal demanded that each club representative choose one color. As a result, theİdmanocağı group proposed“dark claret,” while theİdmangücü group suggested“light blue.” Ultimately, the founding members of Trabzonspor agreed on the colorsClaret andBlue(“Bordo-Mavi”), which became the club’s official colors. The letters“T” and“S” in the club emblem also reflect the identity of Trabzonspor.[83]
Although a number of theories have been put forward as to why the club colours of Trabzonspor are claret and blue, it has been claimed that they were adopted after the club were sent a set of kits by the English clubAston Villa after their formation in 1967.[84]
The rivalry withFenerbahçe began in the 1974Turkish Cup, but it escalated during the1995–96 season when Trabzonspor lost a critical home match late in the season, surrendering the league title toFenerbahçe. This moment remains a painful memory for Trabzonspor fans. Tensions reached a boiling point again in the2010–11 season when the two clubs competed fiercely for the league title. WhileFenerbahçe secured the championship,2011 Turkish football match-fixing allegations led toFenerbahçe’s European ban, allowing Trabzonspor to make their firstUEFA Champions League appearance. The rivalry is fueled by these high-stakes battles, off-field controversies, and the passionate fan bases of both teams, making it one of the most heated inTurkish football.[85][86][87][88][89]
The rivalry withGalatasaray began in Trabzonspor’s inaugural top-flight season in1974–75. Over the years, this rivalry has been defined by competitive matches and the contrasting identities of the clubs, with Trabzonspor representing the Anatolian heartland againstGalatasaray’sIstanbul dominance. While the intensity doesn’t match that ofFenerbahçe, matches between these two teams remain highly anticipated.
Trabzonspor’s rivalry withBeşiktaş also dates back to the 1970s, with their first league meeting in 1974. While not as fiery as the Fenerbahçe rivalry, the competition with Beşiktaş is characterized by hard-fought matches and the shared ambition to challenge for top honors in Turkish football.
Although Trabzonspor shares rivalries with all threeIstanbul giants, the conflict withFenerbahçe is unparalleled in its history, drama, and impact, solidifying it as the club’s most significant rivalry.
TheSamsunspor–Trabzonspor rivalry is a significant contest in theBlack Sea region ofTurkey. It is fueled by geographical proximity and cultural ties, with both teams representing regional pride. Although Trabzonspor has historically achieved more national success, matches againstSamsunspor are marked by high stakes, passionate fan engagement, and regional identity. The rivalry showcases theBlack Sea region’s deep footballing traditions and competitive spirit.
Trabzonspor’s other principal regional rivalry is withÇaykur Rizespor, commonly referred to as the “Eastern Black Sea derby”. The rivalry is rooted in geographic proximity along theBlack Sea coast, overlapping supporter bases, and frequent league and cup meetings since the 1970s. National media regularly frame it as a high-intensity local derby with strong regional identity, large away followings and heightened matchday security, reflecting the historical competition between the neighbouring provinces ofTrabzon andRize.
Trabzonspor's stadium is named after former goalkeeper and managerŞenol Güneş.
Since December 2016, Trabzonspor has played its home matches at theŞenol Güneş Sports Complex, a state-of-the-art stadium located inTrabzon. The stadium has a capacity of 40,980, offering modern facilities that meet international standards. Named afterŞenol Güneş, a legendary figure in Trabzonspor’s history as both a goalkeeper and manager, the complex represents a new era for the club.[90]
The stadium is equipped with advanced technology, including interactive media systems installed in the press areas, and regularly hosts important national and international football matches. It also serves as a symbol of Trabzonspor’s growth and ambition, as well as a hub for the city’s sports and cultural activities. Plans are underway to connect the stadium to Trabzon’s city center through a new tram project, improving accessibility for fans and visitors.
Prior to moving to theŞenol Güneş Sports Complex, Trabzonspor played its home matches at theHüseyin Avni Aker Stadium, which had a capacity of 24,169.[90] Built in 1951, the stadium served as Trabzonspor’s home ground until January 2017. Over its long history, the venue underwent several renovations to expand its capacity and modernize its facilities, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s.
Hüseyin Avni Aker Stadium holds a special place in Trabzonspor’s history, having hosted countless memorable matches during the club’s golden era. It was also the site of key events like the 1stBlack Sea Games and the2011 European Youth Olympic Games, as well as matches in the2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Despite its closure, the stadium remains an iconic symbol of Trabzonspor’s roots and legacy.
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.
Fatih Tekke, a former youth academy star and one-timeGol Kralı (top scorer)
TheU21 side functions as Trabzonspor’s principal reserve/youth development squad. The team historically competed in the national U21 Ligi (previously A2/PAF), a reserve competition organised by theTurkish Football Federation, until the league was discontinued after the 2018–19 season; club reserves have since played in the TFF’s development leagues structure.[95][96] The academy/U21 pathway has produced senior internationals including forwardHami Mandıralı (club record appearance-maker), wingerGökdeniz Karadeniz (Turkey international), and strikerFatih Tekke (Süper Lig top scorer in 2004–05).[97][98][99] In2024–25, the U19s reached theUEFA Youth League final, becoming the first Turkish club to do so. They defeatedInter 1–0 in the quarter-finals atPapara Park before a competition-record crowd of 40,368, then beatSalzburg 2–1 in the semi-final at Nyon’s Colovray Stadium, before losing 4–1 toBarcelona in the final.[100][101][102][103]
Trabzonspor established a women’s football department in 2007 and entered the top flight the same year. The team won theTurkish Women’s First League in 2008–09 and subsequently represented Turkey inUEFA competition the following season, becoming the first Turkish club to appear in theUEFA Women’s Champions League qualifying round.[104][105][106] Following the TFF’s creation of the Women’s Super League in 2021, Trabzonspor re-entered the top tier under the new format.[107][108]
1461 Trabzon functions as Trabzonspor’s affiliated “pilot” club for player development and competitive minutes, operating in the national league system. Originally known as Değirmenderespor and laterTrabzon Karadenizspor, the team adopted the 1461 Trabzon name in 2010–11; a formal pilot-team cooperation protocol with Trabzonspor was most recently signed in April 2023.[109][110][111][112]
Trabzonspor is a multisport club with departments that, at various times, have fielded teams orathletes inbasketball,volleyball,handball,athletics,shooting,judo, table tennis andboxing, in addition to football.[115]
^"Gol Krallarımız". Trabzonspor Official Website.Archived from the original on 16 December 2015. Retrieved15 December 2010. After these achievements, he transferred to 1st League teams such asBeşiktaş andAltay.
^"Gol Krallarımız". Trabzonspor Official Website.Archived from the original on 16 December 2015. Retrieved15 December 2010.
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