History of Fenerbahçe S.K. in Timeline

Fenerbahçe S.K. is a major Turkish multi-sport club based in Istanbul. Known for its football team, the club also boasts successful departments in basketball, volleyball, and other sports, including eSports. Fenerbahçe competes both domestically and internationally, with a history of winning titles across various sports. The club includes parasports divisions within some of its departments.

1907: Foundation date

Fenerbahçe Spor Kulübü was founded in 1907.

1907: Fenerbahçe Founded

In 1907, Fenerbahçe S.K. was founded as a football club in Istanbul by Ziya Songülen, Ayetullah Bey, and Necip Okaner under the strict Ottoman rule.

1907: Founded as a Football Club

In 1907, Fenerbahçe was founded as a football club, marking the beginning of its men's football department.

1907: Formation of Supporter Groups

In 1907, the first Fenerbahçe supporter groups were established.

1908: Legal Registration of the Club

In 1908, Fenerbahçe's activities, previously kept secret, were formally registered under a new law mandating legal existence for all football clubs.

1908: Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium opened

In 1908, The Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium was opened.

1908: Foundation of Fenerbahçe Museum

In 1908, the Fenerbahçe Museum was founded by Ali Rıza Bey.

1909: Joined Istanbul League

In 1909, Fenerbahçe joined the Istanbul League, finishing fifth in their inaugural year.

1910: Rowing and Sailing Departments Founded

In 1910, Fenerbahçe's rowing and sailing departments were established.

1910: Crest and Colours Redesign

In 1910, Hikmet Topuzer redesigned Fenerbahçe's badge and Ziya Songülen changed the club's colours to yellow and navy, establishing the club's iconic colours.

1910: Crest Designed by Hikmet Topuzer

In 1910, the Fenerbahçe crest was designed by Hikmet Topuzer and made as lapel pins by Tevfik Haccar Taşçı in London.

1912: Initial water polo activities

In 1912, initial water polo activities started on the shores of Moda and Kalamış, led by Galip Kulaksızoğlu and Said Salahaddin Cihanoğlu, but stopped due to lack of competition.

1912: Ottoman Scouts Society founded

In 1912, the Ottoman Scouts Society was founded, leading to scouting activities that Fenerbahçe would later participate in.

1913: First scouting team established

In 1913, Fenerbahçe established its first scouting team under the leadership of Mustafa Elkatipzade, equipped by the government to train youth in sports and prepare them for war conditions.

1913: Basketball, Athletics and Swimming Departments Founded

In 1913, Fenerbahçe founded its basketball, athletics, and swimming departments, with the basketball team being the first established within a sports club in the Ottoman Empire.

1913: Men's Basketball Department Initially Founded

In 1913, Fenerbahçe initially founded its men's basketball department, which could not persist due to the Balkan Wars and WWI.

1913: Hunting activities started

In 1913, Galip Kulaksızoğlu and Sait Selahattin Cihanoğlu first started hunting activities that would later become the hunting branch.

1915: Scouting activities revived

In 1915, Fenerbahçe revived scouting activities following an application from the Minister of War, Enver Pasha, who aimed to revitalize scouting efforts that had begun under the Ottoman Scouts Society in 1912.

1917: Fencing activities initiated

In 1917, Fenerbahçe initiated fencing activities, with air pilot Asım Uçar and Sait Bey (epee), and Sedat and Feyzi Beys distinguishing themselves in foil. The team was coached by Colonel Grodetski.

1918: Fenerbahçe's Bylaws

In 1918, Fenerbahçe's bylaws stated the club was divided into Sports and Intellectual Training Branches.

1918: Atatürk's Visit

In 1918, May 3, the day Atatürk visited the club's clubhouse for the first time. It is being claimed that he was a supporter of Fenerbahçe.

July 1919: Basketball team formed

In July 1919, a basketball team was formed under an American coach, consisting of leading Fenerbahçe football players. However, activities were limited to competitions with American teams, and it ended shortly thereafter.

1919: Idea and Stage branch founded

In the spring of 1919, the Idea and Stage branch was founded by Refik Ahmet Nuri Sekizinci, aiming to raise awareness through conferences, theater plays, and concerts.

March 16, 1920: Activities ended due to occupation

On March 16, 1920, the Idea and Stage branch was forced to end its activities after the Occupation Army Command banned meetings following the occupation of Istanbul.

June 20, 1920: Performance at Himaye-i Etfal Festival

On June 20, 1920, the Fenerbahçe fencing team, coached by Colonel Grodetski, performed at the Himaye-i Etfal Festival.

1921: Performance at Fenerbahçe Festival

In 1921, the Fenerbahçe fencing team performed at the Fenerbahçe Festival, but their activities later diminished when Asım Uçar left Istanbul.

1922: Sport practiced in the US

In 1922, the waterski sport was first practiced in the US.

1923: Won General Harrington Cup

In 1923, Fenerbahçe won the General Harrington Cup by defeating the British occupation forces team 2-1 in the final match at Taksim Stadium.

1923: Scouting activities reorganized

In 1923, after the National Struggle years, Fenerbahçe reorganized its scouting activities, led by football player Alaattin Baydar, with activities taking place in Bursa and Istanbul.

1923: Automobile races begin

In 1923, automobile races began with the establishment of the Turkish Touring and Automobile Association.

1924: Istanbul Championship

In 1924, at the Istanbul Championship, Fenerbahçe athlete Major Fuat Bey became the champion with 183 points in shooting.

1925: Diving activities after

After 1925, Fenerbahçe athletes like Mısırlı Şefik, Mahir Canbakan, and Suat Erler became the first champions in diving.

1925: Hunting branch established

In 1925, the hunting branch was formally established within Fenerbahçe.

1925: Weightlifting launched

In 1925, weightlifting was launched in Fenerbahçe.

October 8, 1926: Kenan Dinçman wins championship

On October 8, 1926, Kenan Dinçman won the Istanbul lightweight championship in weightlifting, marking the first championship for Fenerbahçe in this sport.

1926: Hunting peak

In 1926, the hunting branch reached its peak with activities concentrated in the Kayışdağı Forest and other locations.

1927: Ziya Koşar wins championship

In 1927, Fenerbahçe driver Ziya Koşar won a championship at Veliefendi, with Atatürk watching the races.

1928: Volleyball and Table Tennis Departments Founded

In 1928, Fenerbahçe founded both men's and women's volleyball departments, along with the table tennis team.

1931: Samiye Burhan Cahit Morkaya wins championship

In 1931, Samiye Burhan Cahit Morkaya won her first championship in automobile racing at İstinye-Maslak, becoming the first female champion. Fenerbahçe racers won the Castrol and Turing Club cups and donated them to the Fenerbahçe Museum.

1931: Büyükdere pool opening

In 1931, activities were reactivated with the opening of the Büyükdere pool.

1932: Team founded and tournaments won

In 1932, Fenerbahçe re-joined water polo with a team founded under the leadership of Rüştü Dağlaroğlu, winning the Vakit Newspaper and Haliç tournaments.

1932: Kuşdili Fire

In 1932, the Kuşdili Fire resulted in the loss of Fenerbahçe's material artifacts and documents.

1932: Scouting equipment destroyed in fire

In 1932, the scouting equipment was completely destroyed in a fire at the Fenerbahçe Museum, effectively ending those scouting activities.

1933: Second place in Istanbul League

In 1933, Fenerbahçe's water polo team became a rival to Galatasaray, losing a controversial match in the Istanbul League 3-2 in overtime and coming in second place.

1936: First disbanding of the team

In 1936, the water polo team disbanded for the first time.

July 25, 1937: Waterski pioneered in Turkey

On July 25, 1937, waterskiing was pioneered in Turkey by Fenerbahçe athletes Galip Kulaksızoğlu, Faruk Hızer, and Semih Arıcan. Faruk Hızer won a cup presented by Prime Minister İsmet İnönü on Maritime Day.

1942: Handball team formed

In 1942, a handball team was formed through a joint effort with Haydarpaşa High School.

1943: Istanbul champion

In 1943, the handball team became the Istanbul champion.

1944: Men's Basketball Department Re-founded

In 1944, Fenerbahçe re-founded its men's basketball department in its current permanent form.

1944: Istanbul champion

In 1944, the handball team became the Istanbul champion.

April 8, 1945: Championship secured

On April 8, 1945, Fenerbahçe's handball team secured the championship by winning 7-4 against Galatasaray, drawing a crowd of 12,000 spectators.

May 1945: Rugby team formed

In May 1945, a rugby team was formed in Fenerbahçe, led by Reşat Ersü, and beat Haydarpaşa High School 8-7 on 12 May 1945 at the Haydarpaşa High School Sports Day.

July 1, 1945: Second in Turkish Championship

On July 1, 1945, Fenerbahçe's handball team came second in the first Turkish Handball Championship, losing 7-5 to Harbokulu in the finals.

1946: Istanbul Champion and Withdrawal

In 1946, after becoming the champion of Istanbul, the team protested the arrangements against it and withdrew from the league as of the 1946-47 season.

May 1947: Win over Galatasaray

In May 1947, Fenerbahçe's rugby team defeated Galatasaray 12-0 in front of approximately 18,000 spectators, leading to Galatasaray disbanding its team. This match went down in history as the last rugby match until the Turkish League was founded in 2007.

1950: Kiryako Şakir represented Fenerbahçe

After 1950, Mustafa Keskin represented Fenerbahçe in diving, holding Istanbul and Turkish championships.

1953: Team re-established

In 1953, the water polo team was re-established, but it was also short-lived.

1954: Women's Basketball Team Founded

In 1954, Fenerbahçe founded the first women's basketball team in Turkey.

1957: Weightlifting branch revived

In 1957, the weightlifting branch was revived after a period of inactivity.

September 19, 1966: Istanbul championship

On September 19, 1966, Fenerbahçe archer Sadık Öğretir won the Istanbul championship.

1966: Muammer Çolpan played for the national team

From 1966, Muammer Çolpan represented Fenerbahçe and also played for the national diving team.

1967: Judo introduced

In 1967, Fenerbahçe Club first introduced judo into its field of study.

1967: World Archery Championship

In 1967, Sadık Öğretir was part of the national team that participated in the World Archery Championship held in Amersfoort, Netherlands from July 23–29, 1967.

January 18, 1968: Turkish Archery Championship

On January 18, 1968, Sadık Öğretir came first in the Turkish Archery Championship held in Mersin with 1003 points, setting a Turkish record.

March 17, 1968: Board of Directors report

On March 17, 1968, at the Fenerbahçe Sports Club Congress, a Board of Directors report expressed hopeful statements regarding judo activities.

1968: Istanbul Champion and second in Turkey

In 1968, Fenerbahçe became the Istanbul champion and second in Turkey in the youth category for weightlifting.

1968: Won Balkans Cup

In 1968, Fenerbahçe's football team won the Balkans Cup, marking the first international trophy won by a Turkish football club.

May 1969: Initial opening of Faruk Ilgaz Social Facilities

On May 15, 1969, the Faruk Ilgaz Social Facilities, a social complex with an indoor hall, restaurant, patisserie, and Olympic swimming pool, initially opened.

August 25, 1969: Last championship for Çolpan

On August 25, 1969, Çolpan won his last championship at the Turkish Swimming and Diving Championship in Adana and retired from diving, marking the end of the diving branch at Fenerbahçe.

1969: Istanbul championship

In 1969, the Fenerbahçe weightlifting team reached the Istanbul championship.

1971: End of archery

In 1971, Archery activities ended in Fenerbahçe.

1971: End of diving activities

In 1971, the diving branch ended at Fenerbahçe after Muammer Çolpan's retirement.

March 19, 1972: Istanbul Championship

On March 19, 1972, Fenerbahçe won its last team success with the Istanbul championship in weightlifting.

1975: Branch lost popularity

In 1975, the hunting branch lost its popularity as the club focused on Olympic sports and with Cihanoğlu's death, the branch became history.

1976: Individual championships

Until 1976, Fenerbahçe won individual championships in weightlifting.

1982: Opening of Samim Göreç Basketball Hall

In 1982, the Samim Göreç Basketball Hall, a training facility located in the Lefter Küçükandonyadis Training Facilities in Dereağzı, was first opened.

April 1984: Third place in championship

On April 14–15, 1984, the Fenerbahçe bridge team came third in the Institutions and Inter-Clubs Turkey Bridge Championship.

1984: Bridge team established

In 1984, a bridge team was established in Fenerbahçe with the initiative of Orhan Zeren.

1986: Istanbul champions

In 1986, The bridge team became the champions of Istanbul and earned the right to go to the European Champion Clubs' Cup, but Ankara Bridge Club participated in the Cup instead of Fenerbahçe.

1986: Shooting activities started

In 1986, shooting activities started in Fenerbahçe.

1988: End of shooting activities

In 1988, shooting activities ended at Fenerbahçe.

1989: Re-opening of Lefter Küçükandonyadis Training Facilities

In 1989, the Lefter Küçükandonyadis Training Facilities, located at Dereağzı, Kadıköy, Istanbul, were re-opened.

1995: Women's Football Department Founded

In 1995, Fenerbahçe initially founded its women's football department, which was later re-founded in 2021.

1997: Can Bartu Training Facilities Construction Begins

In 1997, during Ali Şen's presidency, the construction of the Can Bartu Training Facilities in Samandıra, Sancaktepe, Istanbul, began.

July 1998: Opening of Fikirtepe Facilities

On July 1, 1998, the Fikirtepe Facilities, located in Fikirtepe, Kadıköy, opened and began serving the development of the youth football departments.

1998: Renovation of Lefter Küçükandonyadis Training Facilities

In 1998, the Lefter Küçükandonyadis Training Facilities were renovated.

July 1999: Opening of Vefa Küçük Swimming Pool

On July 16, 1999, the Vefa Küçük Swimming Pool, a semi-Olympic-sized pool on the Fenerbahçe Isle, was opened.

October 1999: Third place in Turkish Championship

In October 1999, the bridge team, re-established in 1999, came third in the Turkish Championship held in Burdur.

1999: Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium renovated

In 1999, Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium renovated.

2000: Establishment of Fenerium

In 2000, Fenerium, the club's own company which markets licensed products and sponsors some of the club's departments and teams, was established.

2000: Can Bartu Training Facilities Construction Completed

In 2000, the Can Bartu Training Facilities, used by the Fenerbahçe football department, were completed.

February 2001: Refurbishment of Samim Göreç Basketball Hall

In February 2001, the Samim Göreç Basketball Hall was refurbished.

January 2004: Re-opening of Rebuilt Faruk Ilgaz Social Facilities

On January 21, 2004, the Faruk Ilgaz Social Facilities were re-opened as a modern complex, rebuilt during Aziz Yıldırım's presidency.

2004: Launch of Fenerbahçe TV

In 2004, Fenerbahçe TV (FB TV), the first television channel of a sports club in Turkey, was launched over satellite, D-Smart, Canal satellite network services, and cable service.

2004: Opening of Olympic-sized Swimming Pool

In 2004, an Olympic-sized swimming pool located on the Fenerbahçe Isle was opened.

2005: EuroCup Runner-up

In 2005, Fenerbahçe women's basketball team was the EuroCup runner-up.

2006: Headquarters move to Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium

In 2006, the club's headquarters moved into the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium to gather all the sections under one roof.

2006: Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium renovated

In 2006, Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium renovated.

May 21, 2007: Everest summit reached

On May 21, 2007, as part of the Fenerbahçe World Summits project, Tunç Fındık and Mustafa Kalaycı reached the summit of Mount Everest and planted the Turkish and Fenerbahçe flags.

2007: Turkish League founded

In 2007, the Turkish Rugby League was founded.

March 2008: Market Value and Guinness World Record

In March 2008, Fenerbahçe's market value reached $2 billion, surpassing Manchester United. Also in March 2008, Fenerbahçe's record application was accepted by Guinness World Records for having the highest number of medal and trophy achievements with 1134 cups and medals across its 9 departments.

2008: Reached ETTU Cup Final

In 2008, Fenerbahçe's men's table tennis team reached the final of the ETTU Cup, the best result for any Turkish team to date.

2009: Balkan Champions

In 2009, Fenerbahçe's men's volleyball team became Balkan Champions.

2010: FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship

In 2010, Fenerbahçe's women's volleyball team became the first Turkish club ever to be crowned World champions in an Olympic team sport by winning the FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship undefeated.

2010: Topuk Yaylası Facilities Construction Begins

In 2010, construction began on the Topuk Yaylası Facilities, a training complex near a forest and lake in Kaynaşlı, Düzce Province.

2011: Fourth Place in EuroLeague

In 2011, Fenerbahçe women's basketball team reached the fourth place in EuroLeague.

2011: Won ETTU Cup

In 2011, Fenerbahçe's women's table tennis team won the ETTU Cup, marking the first of two consecutive wins.

2011: CEV Champions League

In 2011, Fenerbahçe's women's volleyball team competed in CEV Champions League.

2011: Topuk Yaylası Facilities Construction Completed

In 2011, construction was completed on the Topuk Yaylası Facilities, which are used by all departments of the club for pre-season trainings.

January 2012: Ülker Sports Arena opened

In January 2012, the Ülker Sports Arena was completed and opened in Ataşehir, Istanbul.

October 2012: Won against an NBA Team

On October 5, 2012, Fenerbahçe's men's basketball team became the first and only Turkish basketball club to win against an NBA team.

2012: Fenerbahçe Paid Membership Count

As of 2012, Fenerbahçe had 309,026 paid members, highlighting its large and dedicated fanbase.

2012: EuroLeague Runner-up

In 2012, Fenerbahçe women's basketball team was the EuroLeague runner-up.

2012: Won ETTU Cup

In 2012, Fenerbahçe's women's table tennis team won the ETTU Cup for the second consecutive time.

2013: EuroLeague Runner-up

In 2013, Fenerbahçe women's basketball team was the EuroLeague runner-up.

2013: Won CEV Challenge Cup and Balkan Champions

In 2013, Fenerbahçe's men's volleyball team won the CEV Challenge Cup and Fenerbahçe became Balkan Champions.

2014: Fourth Place in EuroLeague

In 2014, Fenerbahçe women's basketball team reached the fourth place in EuroLeague.

2014: Won CEV Cup

In 2014, Fenerbahçe's women's volleyball team won the CEV Cup.

2015: EuroLeague Final Four

In 2015, Fenerbahçe's men's basketball team played in the EuroLeague Final Four.

2015: Champions League Title

In 2015, Fenerbahçe's women's table tennis team won the Champions League title undefeated, achieving the only Triple Crown for a Turkish table tennis team.

2016: EuroLeague Runner-up and third place

In 2016, Fenerbahçe women's basketball team was the EuroLeague runner-up and reached third place.

2016: EuroLeague Final Four

In 2016, Fenerbahçe's men's basketball team played in the EuroLeague Final Four.

2017: EuroLeague Final Four

In 2017, Fenerbahçe's men's basketball team played in the EuroLeague Final Four.

2018: EuroLeague Final Four

In 2018, Fenerbahçe's men's basketball team played in the EuroLeague Final Four.

2019: EuroLeague Final Four

In 2019, Fenerbahçe's men's basketball team played in the EuroLeague Final Four.

2021: Women's Football Department Re-founded

In 2021, Fenerbahçe re-founded its women's football department, which now competes in the Turkish Women's Football Super League.

2021: Third Place in EuroLeague

In 2021, Fenerbahçe women's basketball team reached the third place in EuroLeague.

2023: EuroLeague Final Four

In 2023, Fenerbahçe's men's basketball team played in the EuroLeague Final Four.

2023: Won EuroLeague and FIBA Europe SuperCup

In 2023, Fenerbahçe's women's basketball team won the EuroLeague by defeating ÇBK Mersin Yenişehir. Later that year, Fenerbahçe became the first Turkish club to win the FIBA Europe SuperCup.

2023: Perfect Season

In the 2023-24 season, the women's basketball team scored a perfect season in Women's Basketball Super League by winning all 35 season games. The team also won all the championships that they compete in 23-24 season; Turkish Women's Basketball Cup, FIBA Europe SuperCup Women and EuroLeague Women.

2024: EuroLeague Champions

In 2024 Fenerbahçe women's basketball team defended their EuroLeague crown by defeating first-time finalists Villeneuve d'Ascq LM.

2024: Award exhibited in Fenerbahçe Museum

In 2024, The cup that Faruk Hızer won and received from Prime Minister İsmet İnönü on July 25, 1937 is one of the most interesting awards exhibited in the Fenerbahçe Museum.