Fenerbahçe S.K. (football)

Fenerbahçe Spor Kulübü (Turkish: [feˈnæɾbahtʃe], Fenerbahçe Sports Club), commonly known simply as Fenerbahçe, or colloquially as Fener is the football branch of Fenerbahçe Sports Club association, based in Kadıköy district of Istanbul, Turkey. They compete in the Süper Lig, the top division of Turkish football. Founded in 1907, Fenerbahçe is one of Turkey’s most successful and widely supported clubs, boasting a record 28 Turkish national championship titles, including victories in the Turkish Football Championship and the Süper Lig era. The club has also won 9 Turkish Super Cups and 7 Turkish Cups, making them one of the most decorated teams in Turkish football history. Their home matches have been played at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in the Kadıköy district of Istanbul since 1908. Fenerbahçe won their first major honor in domestic football in the early 20th century and continued to become champion in Turkish football before the establishment of the Süper Lig in 1959. Prior to this, the club won multiple Turkish Football Championship titles, asserting its place as one of Turkey’s footballing powerhouses. Since the creation of the Süper 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, the Turkish 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 in Turkish football history. Internationally, Fenerbahçe won the Balkans Cup in 1966–67, becoming the first Turkish club to claim an international trophy. In modern European competitions, they reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League in the 2007–08 season and the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League in 2012–13, further establishing their presence on the continental stage. Fenerbahçe is also one of the most widely supported football clubs in Turkey, 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 at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium. Alongside Galatasaray and Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe is part of the “Big Three” clubs of Turkish football, with intense rivalries between these teams shaping the landscape of the Süper Lig. The club’s financial strength has played a key role in attracting world-class players throughout its history, with notable names such as Alex 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 has also gained a reputation for developing and selling high-value young players, utilizing this strategy to generate significant revenue. Notable examples include homegrown Turkish wonderkid Arda Güler, who transferred to Real Madrid in 2023, Ferdi Kadıoğlu, who was signed young and developed into one of the club's most valuable assets before moving to Brighton, and Yusuf Akçiçek, whose move to Al-Hilal became the third most profitable transfer in club's history. This modern approach follows a historical tradition of producing significant Turkish figures, such as Lefter Küçükandonyadis and Can Bartu, two of the first Turkish players to make their mark in European football. The club has also proven to be a successful stepping stone for international players like Eljif Elmas, who moved to Napoli. The club holds a Guinness World Record for having the highest number of medals and trophies across all its sports branches, with a total of 1134 cups and medals. 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 in European competitions. As of 2025, they lead the UEFA coefficient among Turkish teams.