The stadium was built on the site of the historic Papazın Çayırı (The Priest's Meadow), which served as the first football pitch in Istanbul.
It was the first stadium in Turkey to meet the standards required for hosting UEFA Cup finals.
The pitch is oriented along a north-south axis to optimize natural light exposure for the grass surface.
The stadium's foundations incorporate a multi-level underground parking structure to mitigate the impact on the dense surrounding Kadıköy district.
In 2009, the stadium was renamed the Ülker Stadyumu following a long-term naming rights agreement with the Ülker food conglomerate.
Ülker Stadyumu, officially known as Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu Spor Kompleksi, is the historic home ground of the Fenerbahçe Football Club, located in the Kadıköy district on the Asian side of Istanbul. Opened in 1908, it is one of the oldest active football venues in Turkey and was extensively renovated between 1999 and 2006 to reach its current all-seater capacity of approximately 47,834 spectators. The stadium hosted the final match of the 2009 UEFA Cup, the last to be held under that name before the competition was rebranded as the UEFA Europa League. It features a compact, four-stand design that keeps spectators close to the pitch, contributing to a high-decibel acoustic environment during matches. The site includes the Fenerbahçe Museum, which chronicles the history of the club and its various sporting branches. The complex serves as the center of the club's administration and training facilities, embedded deeply within an urban residential neighborhood.
The statue of the iconic Fenerbahçe legend Lefter Küçükandonyadis outside the stadium entrance.
Visit the Fenerbahçe Museum on non-match days to explore the club's extensive history without the crowds.
Walk around the perimeter to view the various statues of club legends, such as Lefter Küçükandonyadis and Alex de Souza.
Allow extra time for security screening procedures if visiting on match days, as perimeter access is strictly controlled.
Do not attempt to arrive by car on match days due to heavy traffic congestion and restricted street access in the surrounding neighborhood.
The museum and stadium store are typically closed on match days and Mondays. The stadium itself is restricted to ticket holders only during sporting events.
Avoid wearing rival team colors near the stadium premises, particularly on match days. Respect the designated areas for home and away supporters if attending a game.
