Konyaspor

History

Early foundations and restructuring

Konyaspor were founded on 22 June 1922 as Konya Gençlerbirliği. The club recognizes this date as its official founding after a 2016 board decision confirming the historical records. As champions of the regional Konya Football League, Konya Gençlerbirliği represented the city at the 1924 Turkish Football Championship, the first nationwide competition in Turkish football, defeating Trabzon İdman Ocağı 3–0 in the first round before losing 2–1 to Anadolu Turan San’atkârangücü in the quarter-finals.

During the reorganization of Turkish league football in the 1960s, Konya’s leading amateur and semi-professional sides were consolidated under one professional team. In 1965 the club began competing under the name Konyaspor in the Second League, adopting black and white as its colours.

A further restructuring took place in 1981 when Konyaspor merged with crosstown rivals Konya İdmanyurdu. The club kept the Konyaspor name and changed its colours to green and white, reflecting İdmanyurdu’s traditional palette. Konyaspor won the Second League in 1987–88 and were promoted to the top division for the first time in their history.

First top-flight years and cup progress

Konyaspor lasted five seasons in the first league. They played 160 official matches, ending up with 47 wins, 33 draws, and 80 losses. During the 1988–89 season Konyaspor made it to the semi-finals of the Turkish Cup, losing to eventual champions Beşiktaş. In the 1992–93 season, the club were relegated back to the second league.

After spending 10 seasons in the second league, Konyaspor returned to Süper Lig as the title holders of the 2002–03 First League with 68 points. During the 2003–04 season Konyaspor made it to the quarter-finals of the Turkish Cup, but then lost to eventual champions Trabzonspor 2–1 during extra time. In 2004–05 Konyaspor advanced to the quarter-finals beating Beşiktaş 3–1, but then lost to Denizlispor 5–4 on penalty shoot-outs.

In 2008–09 despite the 3–0 home win against Ankaraspor, Konyaspor couldn't avoid relegation as they remained 16th in the table with 38 points which meant their relegation from the Süper Lig. Konyaspor were in the Süper Lig since 2003. However, Konyaspor completed the TFF First League 6th and secured a position in the Promotion Play-offs in 2010. Konyaspor then won the Promotion Play-offs and made an immediate return to the Süper Lig after 1 year. They finished the Play-offs 1st with 7 points beating Adanaspor 3–1 in the first game, Karşıyaka 1–0 in the second and drawing with Altay 2–2 in the final match. But Konyaspor relegated again in the 2010–11 season.

Modern era: cup win and European campaigns

In October 2014, Aykut Kocaman was appointed head coach of Konyaspor. During his tenure (2014–2017), Konyaspor recorded some of the most successful seasons in their history: in 2015–16, Konyaspor finished third in the Süper Lig with 66 points, the club’s best league placing to that date, and qualified for the UEFA Europa League, marking their first participation in European competition. In 2016–17 they play for the first time in their history in European competitions and draw in Group H with Shakhtar Donetsk, Braga and Gent. They finished the group in fourth place with five losses, one draw and without winning any match. On 31 May 2017 Konyaspor won their first major national trophy, defeated İstanbul Başakşehir to win their first ever Turkish Cup in the club's 95-year history. In the first Turkish Cup final since the 2007–08 season in which none of Istanbul's "big three" clubs Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, and Galatasaray were competing, Konyaspor against İstanbul Başakşehir finished regular and extra time tied 0–0 and won on penalty shoot-outs with a result of 4–1.

On 16 June 2017, Aykut Kocaman left Konyaspor to become Fenerbahçe head coach; he was replaced by Mustafa Reşit Akçay. In 2017–18, Konyaspor opened the season by beating Beşiktaş 2–1 to win the Turkish Super Cup—the first Super Cup in club history. The league campaign ended 15th (36 pts). In 2018–19, Aykut Kocaman returned and the team finished 8th. In September 2019, the club signed a name-sponsorship deal with İttifak Holding (3+2 years). In 2019–20, Konyaspor avoided relegation, closing 13th in the pandemic season.

In February 2021, İlhan Palut was appointed following İsmail Kartal’s departure and led Konyaspor to 11th place in 2020–21. In 2021–22, Palut’s side finished 3rd with 68 points, the second-best league finish in club history, earning a berth in the UEFA Europa Conference League. On 11 January 2022, Konyaspor defender Ahmet Yılmaz Çalık died in a traffic accident near Ankara. Çalık, who had joined the club in 2020, had become a regular starter and a respected figure in the dressing room. In tribute, Konyaspor retired his number 6 shirt, and several Süper Lig clubs and the Turkish Football Federation expressed condolences. In the same season, Konyaspor ultimately placed third in the final 2021–22 Süper Lig table matching the club’s second-best league finish and qualified for European competition the following season. In July 2022, Konyaspor returned to Europe and defeated BATE Borisov 5–0 on aggregate in the Conference League second qualifying round (3–0 away, 2–0 home) before exiting to FC Vaduz in the third qualifying round (1–1 away, 2–4 home).

In January 2023, the club parted company with Palut while sitting seventh; Aleksandar Stanojević was appointed the next day and the league campaign ended 8th (51 pts). In November 2023, Hakan Keleş succeeded Stanojević, and in January 2024 the job passed to Fahrudin Omerović. In April 2024, former club captain Ali Çamdalı was named head coach and, in June, signed a 1+1 contract. Konyaspor finished the 2023–24 Süper Lig 16th with 41 points; on the final day they lost 3–1 to Galatasaray, a result that confirmed the title for the Istanbul side. On 1 November 2024, Konyaspor appointed Recep Uçar as head coach on a deal running through 2025–26. In the 2024–25 Süper Lig season, Konyaspor finished 11th, collecting 46 points from 36 matches with a record of 13 wins, 7 draws, and 16 losses. The mid-table finish marked an improvement on the previous campaign’s 16th place (41 points) and provided a more stable platform heading into 2025–26.

Stadium

The Konya Metropolitan Municipality Stadium (often styled Konya Büyükşehir Stadyumu, known for sponsorship at times as Torku Arena/Medaş Konya Büyükşehir Stadyumu) is an all-seater, multi-purpose venue in Selçuklu, Konya. Construction began in 2012 and the ground opened in 2014, replacing the old Konya Atatürk Stadium as Konyaspor’s home. The venue has an official capacity of about 41,600, a 105 × 68 m natural-grass pitch and a full roof cover.

Since 2014, the stadium has hosted both Konyaspor fixtures and selected matches of the Turkey national team. On 6 September 2015, Turkey defeated the Netherlands 3–0 here in UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying, a match that drew a record attendance of 41,007 at the venue. The complex includes concourse retail and hospitality areas and is connected to wider municipal transport infrastructure serving the Selçuklu district.

Old stadium

The Konya Atatürk Stadium served as Konyaspor’s primary home ground from the early 1950s until 2014. Built in 1950 (with use reported from 1952), it was a multi-purpose arena with a running track and a 105 × 68 m grass pitch. After seating changes in the 2000s, capacity was a little above 22,000.

After 2014, the old ground continued to stage occasional lower-league matches before demolition works began in 2018. The site has since been redeveloped as the Konya Millet Bahçesi (Nation’s Garden), a municipal park project delivered by the Konya Metropolitan Municipality.

Colors and crest

Konyaspor’s official club colors are green and white, adopted in 1981 following the club’s merger with Konya İdmanyurdu. Prior to the merger, the club played in black and white from 1965 (when it was restructured as Konyaspor after the fusion of various local teams including Konya Gençlerbirliği, Meramspor and Çimentospor). The switch to green and white was made to reflect İdmanyurdu’s identity and to represent Konya’s agricultural and spiritual heritage.

The current club crest features a double-headed eagle (iki başlı kartal), a historic Seljuk Empire symbol, referencing Konya’s role as the capital of the Seljuks in the 12th–13th centuries. The emblem is presented in green and white, encircled by the club name (Konyaspor) and foundation year (1922). The use of the double-headed eagle reflects strength, vision in two directions, and a proud connection to Konya’s Anatolian heritage.

In various kits throughout history, green-and-white vertical stripes have been the primary motif, though alternate kits have included black, grey, and occasionally turquoise or gold accents. The double-headed eagle remains central to the club’s branding, fan identity, and official merchandise.

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

1 Main sponsorship 2 Europe Main sponsorship

Supporters

Konyaspor’s fanbase is known for its passionate support, both in Konya and across Turkey. The club’s primary ultras group is Nalçacılar, established in the mid-1990s and named after the Nalçacı district of Konya. The group is recognized for its choreographed displays (tifos), large banners, and organized chants during home and away games.

Home matches at the Konya Metropolitan Municipality Stadium often see coordinated color shows and large-scale card choreographies. The supporters are known for their “12. Adam” (12th Man) slogan, symbolizing their impact on the team’s performance. During critical matches, particularly against the “big three” (Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray), Konyaspor fans have gained attention for their volume and dedication.

The fan culture extends beyond Konya; there are official supporters’ associations in cities such as Ankara, Istanbul, and various parts of Europe, reflecting the widespread Konya diaspora. Konyaspor fans are also known for their respectful atmosphere during national team matches played in Konya, earning praise from both Turkish and international media during UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers for their organized and passionate support.

Rivalries

Main article: List of association football rivalries

Konyaspor’s main historical rivalry was with Konya İdmanyurdu, their cross-town opponents until the clubs merged in 1981. The fixture, known locally as the Konya derby, was one of the city’s most passionate matchups through the 1960s and 1970s. The rivalry formally ended after the merger, which saw Konyaspor adopt İdmanyurdu’s green and white colors while keeping the Konyaspor name. In the modern Süper Lig era, Konyaspor’s most prominent rivalry is with Kayserispor, largely due to geographical proximity, regional pride in Central Anatolia, and a series of tense matches, including high-stakes fixtures in relegation and European qualification battles. Although not officially a “derby” in classical terms, the match is often referred to as the “Anatolian Derby” in Turkish media.

Konyaspor also shares tense rivalries with clubs like Ankaragücü and Antalyaspor. Additionally, matches against Istanbul’s “Big Three” (Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, and Galatasaray) are considered high-intensity due to the broader Anatolia vs Istanbul narrative in Turkish football. Konyaspor’s victories in the 2016–17 Turkish Cup final (vs İstanbul Başakşehir) and the 2017 Turkish Super Cup (vs Beşiktaş) further elevated the club’s profile in such fixtures.

Past seasons

Main article: List of Konyaspor seasons

Results of League and Cup Competitions by Season

League participations

• Süper Lig: 1988–93, 2003–09, 2010–11, 2013–
• 1. Lig: 1965–69, 1971–79, 1980–88, 1993–03, 2009–10, 2011–13
• 2. Lig: 1969–71, 1979–80

Honours

Leagues

• 1. Lig
  • Winners (2): 1987–88, 2002–03
• 2. Lig
  • Winners (1): 1970–71

Cups

• Turkish Cup
  • Winners (1): 2016–17
• Turkish Super Cup
  • Winners (1): 2017

Konyaspor in Europe

Main article: Turkish football clubs in European competitions

Konyaspor made their debut in European competition in the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League, following their third-place finish in the Süper Lig the previous season under head coach Aykut Kocaman. They were drawn into Group H, facing Shakhtar Donetsk, Braga, and Gent. The club finished bottom of the group with one point, earning a 1–1 draw at home to Braga but suffering five defeats.

Konyaspor returned to the Europa League in 2017–18, again entering directly into the group stage (Group I) after winning the 2016–17 Turkish Cup. They competed against Salzburg, Marseille, and Vitória de Guimarães. The club earned 5 points from six games, recording a win over Guimarães (2–1), and home draws with Salzburg (0–0) and Marseille (1–1), but ultimately finished third and did not advance to the knockout stage.

After placing third in the Süper Lig in 2021–22 under İlhan Palut, Konyaspor qualified for the 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League. In the second qualifying round, they eliminated BATE Borisov with a 5–0 aggregate victory (3–0 away, 2–0 home). In the third qualifying round, however, they were eliminated by FC Vaduz with a 5–3 aggregate loss (1–1 away, 2–4 home).

As of 2025, Konyaspor have played 16 official UEFA matches, recording 3 wins, 5 draws, and 8 losses, with 14 goals scored and 23 conceded across both the Europa League and Conference League campaigns.

Summary

European participation

;

UEFA ranking

Out on loan

Retired numbers

Non-playing staff

Administrative Staff

Source:

Technical Staff

Source:

Player statistics

As of 2025, Ömer Ali Şahiner holds Konyaspor’s club record for appearances (298, 2012–2021), while Zafer Biryol is the all-time top scorer (46 goals, 2003–2005). Among foreign players, Riad Bajić leads with 33 goals across 119 matches (2015–2020). Additional verification: Player tenures and match breakdowns can be cross-checked against TFF registration/contract logs and career statistics (e.g., Nejc Skubic and Sokol Cikalleshi).

Combined club records (appearances and scorers)

Totals include only; league, domestic cups, UEFA; friendlies excluded.

Managers history

Main article: , List of Konyaspor managers

In 2014–2017, under head coach Aykut Kocaman, Konyaspor recorded one of the club’s most successful periods: in 2015–16 the team finished third in the Süper Lig with 66 points, earning qualification for the UEFA Europa League, and on 31 May 2017 won the Turkish Cup after a 0–0 final against İstanbul Başakşehir decided 4–1 on penalties. On 6 August 2017, under Mustafa Reşit Akçay, Konyaspor won the Turkish Super Cup by defeating Beşiktaş 2–1, the club’s first Super Cup triumph. In 2021–22, under İlhan Palut, the team again finished third with 68 points, qualifying for the UEFA Europa Conference League. Since 1 November 2024, Konyaspor have been managed by Recep Uçar, appointed on a deal running through 2025–26; his previous roles include spells at Ümraniyespor and Kayserispor.

References

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