History of Galatasaray S.K. in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 21, 2026

Galatasaray Spor Kulübü, also known as Galatasaray or Cimbom, is a major Turkish sports club based in Istanbul, with a wide array of sports including soccer, basketball, volleyball, and more. It's a key member of the Galatasaray Community Cooperation Committee, associated with Galatasaray University and Galatasaray High School. The club is a prominent force in Turkish sports.

October 1905: Galatasaray SK Founded

In October 1905, Galatasaray SK was founded by Ali Sami Yen and other students of Galatasaray High School as a football club.

1905: Club name adopted

In 1905, Galatasaray adopted "GalataSaray" as their official name after spectators called them "Galata Sarayı Efendileri" following a 2–0 victory over Rûm club.

1905: Original Club Colors

In 1905, at founding, the original colors of Galatasaray Sports Club were red and white, inspired by the Turkish flag and the Young Turk Revolution.

1907: Yellow and black colors

In 1907, Galatasaray played in yellow and black colors for the 1907–1908 season.

December 1908: Settling on Red and Yellow

In December 1908, specifically on December 8, Galatasaray settled on playing in red and yellow for a match against HMS Barham's football team.

1908: Yellow and black colors

In 1908, Galatasaray played in yellow and black colors for the 1907–1908 season.

1908: New Club Colors Chosen

In 1908, after governmental reforms, new colors were chosen for Galatasaray: red and yellow. Ali Sami Yen stated, "We were imagining brightness of yellow – red fire over our team and thinking that it would carry us from one victory to another."

1912: Club registered legally

In 1912, after the Law of Association was enacted, Galatasaray was legally registered as a club.

1921: Taksim Stadium Opened

In 1921, the first stadium, Taksim Stadium, opened in Istanbul, and Galatasaray played there.

1925: "Ghayn-Sin" crest designed

In 1925, Galatasaray's first emblem of an eagle with a football was replaced by the current "Ghayn-Sin" crest, designed by Ayetullah Emin.

1940: Move to İnönü Stadium

In 1940, Galatasaray began playing in İnönü Stadium after the demolition of the historic Taksim Stadium.

1952: Professional Football Recognition

In 1952, professional football was recognized in Turkey, leading to the establishment of the Istanbul Professional League.

1959: Turkcell Super League formed

In 1959, the Turkcell Super League, the top-flight professional league in Turkish football, was formed, and Galatasaray joined and has since won 24 league titles.

1959: Istanbul Professional League titles

Until 1959, Galatasaray won three Istanbul Professional League titles.

1962: Turkish Cup organized

In the 1962–63 season, the Turkish Football Federation began organizing the Turkish Cup (today known as Ziraat Turkish Cup).

December 1964: Ali Sami Yen Stadium Opened

In December 1964, specifically on December 20, the Ali Sami Yen Stadium opened, named after the founder of the club. The stadium had a capacity of over 35,000.

1998: "I Will Survive" adopted

Since 1998, after every goal scored by Galatasaray, the last part of the song "I Will Survive" by the Hermes House Band is played.

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2000: UEFA Cup and Super Cup Victories

In 2000, Galatasaray won the UEFA Cup against Arsenal F.C. and the UEFA Super Cup against Real Madrid C.F., becoming the only Turkish football club to achieve this level of European success in Turkish football history.

2002: Play in Atatürk Olympic Stadium

After 2002, when Atatürk Olympic Stadium was built for Istanbul's Olympic Games bid, Galatasaray started to play European Cup matches there.

2008: Champions Cup & Kitakyushu Champions Cup wins

In 2008, Galatasaray's wheelchair basketball team won the Champions Cup and the Kitakyushu Champions Cup, also becoming world champions.

2009: Champions Cup & Kitakyushu Champions Cup wins

In 2009, Galatasaray's wheelchair basketball team won the Champions Cup and the Kitakyushu Champions Cup, also becoming world champions. Galatasaray women's basketball team also won FIBA Eurocup in 2009.

2011: Champions Cup & Kitakyushu Champions Cup wins

In 2011, Galatasaray's wheelchair basketball team won the Champions Cup and the Kitakyushu Champions Cup, also becoming world champions.

2011: Ali Sami Yen Stadium Demolished

In 2011, the Ali Sami Yen Stadium was demolished to make way for the new Nef Stadium, with concerns raised about the old stadium's structural integrity.