Ali Sami Yen Stadium

Ali Sami Yen Stadium (Turkish: Ali Sami Yen Stadyumu) was the home of football club Galatasaray in Istanbul, Turkey, from 1964 to 2010. Named after the founder of the club, Ali Sami Yen, the stadium was situated in the Mecidiyeköy quarter of the Şişli district, at the center of the European side of the city. The first steps to acquire a plot of land for Galatasaray were taken in 1933, when the then president Ali Haydar Barşal showed interest in a mulberry orchard in Mecidiyeköy. The same plot was leased to Galatasaray for 30 years at a symbolic yearly rental fee of 1 lira. A modest stadium was inaugurated in 1945 under the presidency of Muslihittin Peykoğlu. The modern Ali Sami Yen Stadium was inaugurated on 20 December 1964 with a friendly match between Turkey and Bulgaria, attended by a record 48,600 spectators. Spotlights were added in 1965, and the lighting system was renewed in 1993. The stadium was furnished with seats in 1993, reducing standing capacity from 35,000 to 22,000. The stadium was renovated in 1996 and 2008, and closed on 11 January 2011 before being demolished on 13 April 2011. The site was replaced by Galatasaray's new stadium, Rams Park.

Ali Sami Yen Stadium was the home of Galatasaray S.K. from 1964 to 2010, named after the founder of the club, Ali Sami Yen. The stadium was situated in the Mecidiyeköy quarter of the Şişli district, at the center of the European side of Istanbul. The stadium had a record attendance of 48,600 for the Turkey vs Bulgaria match on 20 December 1964, the same day it was inaugurated. Tragedy struck during the opening match when people fell onto the first floor, causing numerous but non-fatal injuries. The stadium was leased to Galatasaray for 30 years at a symbolic yearly rental fee of 1 lira. Spotlights were added in 1965, enabling night games. The stadium was furnished with seats in 1993, reducing standing capacity from 35,000 to 22,000. The stadium was renovated in 1996 and 2008, and closed on 11 January 2011 before being demolished on 13 April 2011. The site was replaced by Galatasaray's new stadium, Rams Park.