Çaykur Rizespor

Founded on May 19, 1953, Çaykur Rizespor emerged from the tea-growing hills of Rize to represent a region defined by its agricultural heritage. The club initially wore green and yellow to honor local citrus orchards and tea plantations before undergoing a pivotal transformation in 1968. A merger with Fener Gençlik and Güneşspor created a new entity that adopted the iconic green and blue color scheme still used today, where green represents the rolling hills and blue symbolizes the Black Sea.

The team currently competes in the Süper Lig, the top tier of Turkish football, having navigated several promotion and relegation cycles through the TFF First League over the decades. Their home matches take place at the Çaykur Didi Stadyumu, a modern facility with a seating capacity of approximately 14,879 spectators. This venue replaced older grounds and reflects the sponsorship of the state-owned tea company Çaykur, which remains central to the club's identity.

Recent seasons have seen the squad field a mix of local talent and international players, including a significant number of foreign athletes as of the 2026-27 campaign. The team has demonstrated resilience against larger Istanbul-based clubs, often punching above its weight class due to a smaller budget. In late August 2026, the side secured a decisive 2-0 victory over Gaziantep FK, with Gambian striker Ali Sowe contributing a goal to the win. [edit]

The club's origins trace back to May 1953 when it was established to give the city of Rize a professional football voice. Early years were marked by the distinctive green and yellow kit chosen to reflect the local economy of tea and citrus farming. The organizational structure changed permanently in 1968 following a merger with Fener Gençlik and Güneşspor. This consolidation allowed the team to stabilize financially and adopt the green and blue palette that defines the Yeşil-Mavili identity.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the team oscillated between the top flight and the second division. They achieved their first major promotion to the Süper Lig in 1988 and maintained a presence there for much of the subsequent decades. The club faced financial difficulties in the early 2000s but recovered through strong management and consistent fan support. Notable managerial tenures include periods under Bülent Korkmaz, who helped solidify the team's position in the upper table during the mid-2010s.

In recent years, the squad has evolved into a more international outfit. The 2026-27 season saw a roster expansion to 30 players with an average age of 24.2 years, including 15 foreign players. The kit manufacturer also shifted from Nike to Adidas in July 2026, marking a change in the team's commercial partnerships while maintaining the traditional colors. [edit]