History of Galatasaray S.K. in Timeline

Galatasaray Spor Kulübü, often called Galatasaray or Cimbom, is a major Turkish sports club located in Istanbul. While known for its football (soccer) team, the club also has teams in basketball, volleyball, and other sports, including wheelchair basketball, water polo, handball, athletics, swimming, rowing, sailing, judo, bridge, motorsport, equestrian, esports, and chess. It's a key part of the Galatasaray Community Cooperation Committee, which includes Galatasaray University and Galatasaray High School.

October 1905: Galatasaray SK Founding

In October 1905, Galatasaray SK was founded by Ali Sami Yen and other students of Galatasaray High School as a football club. The exact date is disputed, but is traditionally accepted as October 30, 1905.

1905: Club Name Origin

In 1905, Galatasaray possibly took its name from a 2–0 victory over Rûm club, where spectators called them "Galata Sarayı Efendileri".

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 during the 1907–1908 season.

December 1908: Settling on Red and Yellow Colors

On December 8, 1908, for a match against the HMS Barham football team, Galatasaray settled on playing in red and yellow colors.

1908: Yellow and Black Colors

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

1908: Adoption of New Club Colors

In 1908, after governmental reforms, Galatasaray chose new colors, red and yellow, symbolizing brightness and fire, envisioned to bring victories.

1912: Legal Registration of the Club

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

1921: Opening of Taksim Stadium

In 1921, the first stadium in Istanbul, Taksim Stadium, was opened. Galatasaray played there until 1940.

1925: Adoption of Current Crest

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

1940: Demolition of Taksim Stadium

In 1940, the historic Taksim Stadium was demolished. Galatasaray then played in İnönü Stadium.

1952: Istanbul Professional League

In 1952, professional football was recognized in Turkey, leading to the Istanbul Professional League. Galatasaray won three of the seven titles between 1952 and 1959.

1959: End of Istanbul Professional League

In 1959, the Istanbul Professional League ended, after existing since 1952. Galatasaray won 3 of the 7 titles.

1959: Formation of Turkcell Super League

In 1959, the Turkcell Super League, the top-flight professional football league in Turkey, was formed. Galatasaray has participated in all seasons and has won 24 league titles since then.

1962: Start of Turkish Cup Organization

In the 1962–63 season, the Turkish Football Federation initiated the Turkish Cup (now known as the Ziraat Turkish Cup), offering Turkish clubs a path to qualify for UEFA competitions. Galatasaray has competed in all seasons and has secured 18 trophies.

December 1964: Opening of Ali Sami Yen Stadium

On December 20, 1964, Ali Sami Yen Stadium opened in Mecidiyeköy, named after the club's founder. It had a capacity of over 35,000, later reduced to 24,990 due to security improvements, earning it the nickname "Hell".

1998: Adoption of "I Will Survive" as Goal Song

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

2000: UEFA Cup and Super Cup Wins

In 2000, Galatasaray secured the UEFA Cup title by defeating Arsenal F.C. and also won the UEFA Super Cup by defeating Real Madrid C.F., making them the only Turkish football club to achieve such European success.

2002: Playing European Cup Matches at Atatürk Olympic Stadium

After 2002, when Atatürk Olympic Stadium was built for Istanbul's Olympic Games bid, Galatasaray started playing European Cup matches there, setting an attendance record for a Turkish stadium with 79,414 spectators in a match against Olympiacos.

2008: Champions Cup and 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 and Kitakyushu Champions Cup Wins

In 2009, Galatasaray's wheelchair basketball team won the Champions Cup and the Kitakyushu Champions Cup again, repeating their world champion title from the previous year. Galatasaray women's basketball team also won the FIBA Eurocup in 2009.

2011: Demolition of Ali Sami Yen Stadium

In 2011, the Ali Sami Yen Stadium was demolished due to its unsafe condition and the new Nef Stadium was built for Galatasaray, becoming their new home ground.

2011: Champions Cup and Kitakyushu Champions Cup Wins

In 2011, the club's wheelchair basketball team achieved victory in both the Champions Cup and the Kitakyushu Champions Cup, marking another year as world champions.

2012: Kitakyushu Champions Cup Win

In 2012, Galatasaray's wheelchair basketball team won the Kitakyushu Champions Cup, and became world champions.

2013: Champions Cup Win

In 2013, the wheelchair basketball team of Galatasaray won the Champions Cup. Also, Galatasaray women's basketball team won the 2013–14 EuroLeague Women.