Gaziantep F.K.

Gaziantep Futbol Kulübü calls the southeastern Turkish city of Gaziantep home and competes in the Süper Lig. The club traces its roots to 1988 when it launched as Sankospor under the backing of local industrialist Sanko Holding. Early years saw the team climbing through amateur divisions before securing promotions to the TFF Third League and eventually the First League.

Success arrived in 2019 with a historic promotion to the top flight. The 2020–21 season offered a taste of glory when the squad briefly topped the league table during week 17. Fans filled the stands at the Kamil Ocak Stadium, which served as their home until January 2017. That venue later faced demolition, prompting a move to the modern Gaziantep Stadium.

Resilience defined the club's recent path. Devastating earthquakes struck the region in February 2023, forcing an early withdrawal from the 2022–23 campaign. The Turkish Football Federation granted an exception allowing the team to keep its spot in the Süper Lig. They returned for the 2023–24 season and finished 11th. Current manager Mirel Rădoi leads a squad featuring 16 foreign players who make up nearly half the roster. [edit]

The club started life in 1988 as Sankospor, funded by the Sanko family business empire. It spent years building momentum in lower tiers before reaching the TFF Third League. A steady climb followed, moving up to the TFF First League where they competed against other ambitious teams. The breakthrough moment came in 2019 when they earned promotion to the Süper Lig for the first time.

The 2020–21 campaign highlighted their potential. During week 17, Gaziantep sat atop the league standings, showing they could compete with Turkey's elite. This run ended as the season progressed, but the achievement remained significant. The team played at the Kamil Ocak Stadium until 2017, when the facility was demolished. They relocated to the new Gaziantep Stadium in January 2017, gaining access to a larger, more modern venue.

Tragedy struck in February 2023 when massive earthquakes devastated the region. The club withdrew from the remainder of the 2022–23 season due to safety concerns. Authorities allowed them to retain their Süper Lig status despite not finishing the campaign. They returned for the 2023–24 season and secured an 11th-place finish. Recent management changes included Burak Yılmaz stepping down after comments about Match Officials Department chairman Ferhat Gündoğdu sparked controversy. Mirel Rădoi took over and guided the team through the recovery period. [edit]