Turkish delight

We’re heading to Istanbul in February for a weekend discovering football in a cross-continental metropolis

One city, two continents, three huge football clubs. It can only be Istanbul – and next year we’re spending four nights and five days there to discover its unique football culture. On our trip we’ll experience the noise and colour of the yellow and blue-clad Fenerbahce fans as they host Samsunspor in the Super Lig at the magnificent Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, which opened in 1908. We’ll also take in another game in the city, to be confirmed once fixtures are set.

Arriving on Friday afternoon, you’ll be able to get acquainted with the other members of our small group that evening over a traditional Turkish dinner. A talk on football in Istanbul from our guest expert John McManus – author of the book Welcome To Hell? – will follow to truly set the scene for our trip.

During the weekend we’ll discover the history and heritage of the other giants that form the “Big Three”. We’ll visit the birthplace of Galatasaray, followed by a stadium tour of their 53,387-capacity Rams Park and a visit to the club museum of the 26-time champions. Remaining on the European side of the Bosphorus, we’ll find out the story of the oldest sporting club in the country as we enjoy a guided tour of Besiktas’s stadium and museum.

Fenerbahce hold a Guinness World Record for the most medals and trophies across all of its sports branches – a total of 1,134

Pelé once said Besiktas’s Inonu Stadium had the most beautiful view of any in the world. Their current home, opened in 2016, is on the same waterfront site

There’s far more to Istanbul than football though, and we’ll also enjoy guided visits to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern to take in their stunning architecture. We’ll stroll the square that was once the Hippodrome of Constantinople and, of course, wander the maze that is the bustling Grand Bazaar, where stallholders have traded since 1455.

Join us and your fellow Aficionados next February in this exhilarating city to experience the passion and pride of Turkish football.

Istanbul

February 5 to 9, 2027

Four nights’ accommodation in a centrally located four-star hotel Watch Fenerbahce v Samsunspor plus another match

Visits to the Galatasaray and Besiktas stadiums and museums Guided tours of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern Insight from Turkish football expert John McManus

From £1,195 – subscribers save £75 use code WSCSUB75

WSC subscribers save £75

To book visit aficionadosft.com

Any questions? Call 01452 645649 or email info@aficionadosft.com