Gaziantep F.K.

Gaziantep Futbol Kulübü is a Turkish professional football club based in Gaziantep. Founded in 1988, the club plays in the Süper 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 the TFF Third League and TFF First League until 2019, when they were promoted to the Süper 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 by Beşiktaş.

In February 2023, Gaziantep F.K. withdrew from the 2022–23 Süper Lig season following the devastating 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, which severely impacted the city of Gaziantep and the club's facilities. The Turkish 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.

The club returned to competition for the 2023–24 Süper Lig season, playing their home matches at the Kalyon Stadium. They finished the 2023–24 campaign in 11th place, securing their position in the top flight. In the subsequent 2024–25 season, the team continued to compete in the Süper Lig under the management of Selçuk İnan, who had been appointed head coach in March 2024.

History

Foundation and early years (1988–2017)

The club was founded in 1988 as Sankospor under the sponsorship of Sanko Holding, an industrial group based in Gaziantep. Initially competing in amateur leagues, the team turned professional and entered the TFF Third League in 1993. They achieved promotion to the TFF First League (then known as the 2. Lig) after winning their group in the 1996–97 season.

In 1999, the club's name was changed to Gaziantep Büyükşehir Belediyespor as it came under the administration of the Gaziantep 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.

Rebranding and promotion to Süper Lig (2017–2019)

In June 2017, the club underwent a major restructuring and rebranding, changing its name to Gazişehir Gaziantep Futbol Kulübü. 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 the Süper Lig the following year by defeating Hatayspor in the 2018–19 play-off final. Following this promotion, the club adopted its current name, Gaziantep Futbol Kulübü (Gaziantep FK), in October 2019 to represent the entire city more broadly.

Earthquake Withdrawal and Return

In February 2023, Gaziantep F.K. withdrew from all competitions for the remainder of the 2022–23 season following the devastating 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, which severely affected the city of Gaziantep. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) accepted the withdrawal and guaranteed the club's place in the Süper Lig for the following season.

2023–present: Return to Süper Lig and recent seasons

Following their withdrawal from the 2022–23 Süper Lig due to the 2023 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 of Selçuk İnan, who had taken charge during the season.

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.

Ahead of the 2025–26 season, the club appointed former Turkish international Burak 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 to Göztepe, only to be reinstated shortly thereafter. As of early 2026, Yılmaz remained in charge as the team competed in the middle of the Süper Lig table.

Crest and colors

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.

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.

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.

Stadium

Gaziantep FK plays its home matches at the Gaziantep Stadium, a multi-purpose venue located in the Şehitkamil district of Gaziantep. The stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 33,502 spectators and features a hybrid grass surface. The club previously played at the Kamil 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. Between 2000 and 2005, during its time as Gaziantep Büyükşehir Belediyespor, the team also utilized the smaller GASKİ Stadium.

The new stadium was known as the Gaziantep 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 renamed Gaziantep Stadium (Gaziantep Metropolitan Stadium) as part of a new agreement with the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality.

Following the 2023 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.

Relationship with Gaziantepspor

Although they share a similar name and colors, Gaziantep F.K. is a distinct entity from the historic club Gaziantepspor, which was dissolved in 2020. Gaziantep F.K. was originally founded in 1988 as Sankospor and later competed for many years as Gaziantep Büyükşehir Belediyespor (Gaziantep BB).

Following Gaziantepspor's financial collapse and subsequent relegation from the Süper 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 to Gazişehir Gaziantep. Two years later, in October 2019, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) officially approved the club's request to change its name to Gaziantep Futbol Kulübü (Gaziantep F.K.).

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. 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.

Honours

Sankospor

• TFF Third League Winner: 1996–97 (Group 3)

Gaziantep Büyükşehir Belediyespor

• TFF Second League Winner: 2004–05 (Group C)

Gazişehir Gaziantep

• TFF First League Play-off winners: 2018–19

Past seasons

Results of League and Cup Competitions by Season

The following is a list of seasons played by Gaziantep FK since its foundation in 1988. The club was founded as Sankospor (1988–1999), later becoming Gaziantep Büyükşehir Belediyespor (1999–2016), Gazişehir Gaziantep (2017–2019), and finally Gaziantep FK in 2019.

League affiliation

• Süper Lig: 2019–
• TFF First League: 1997–2001, 2005–2019
• TFF Second League: 2001–2005
• TFF Third League: 1993–1997
• Turkish Regional Amateur League: 1988–1993

Players

Current squad

As of 3 February 2026

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Club Officials

Club Board

Sources:

Technical Staff

Sources:

Managerial History

Gaziantep FK has experienced significant managerial turnover, particularly following its rebranding and promotion to the Süper Lig. In the 2024–2025 season, the club was managed by Selçuk İnan, who had been appointed in March 2024 to replace Marius Șumudică. İnan departed by mutual consent in May 2025 after 428 days in charge.

For the 2025–2026 season, the club initially hired İsmet Taşdemir in June 2025, signing him to a 1+1 year contract. 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 against Galatasaray and Konyaspor. He was replaced by Burak 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.

Presidential history

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.

Recent presidential history

Following the resignation of Cevdet Akınal in January 2023, Memik Yılmaz assumed the presidency. 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. Under his leadership, the club navigated the aftermath of the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes and continued to compete in the Süper Lig through the 2025–26 season.

External links

• at Turkish Football Federation