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Istanbul stops for the derby: Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe play for a trophy

10. January 2026
(foto: Getty Images)
Istanbul hosts a major derby as arch-rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe meet on neutral ground to contest the Turkish Super Cup trophy.

Whenever Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe meet, the occasion carries enormous weight. That intensity is only amplified when silverware is at stake — and that is exactly the case today as the two Istanbul giants meet in the final of the Turkish Super Cup.

The match will be played in Istanbul, but on neutral territory. The venue is the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Başakşehir, a modern arena that previously hosted a Champions League final and currently serves as the home ground of Fatih Karagümrük.

Route to the final

This season’s Super Cup finals brought together four teams: last season’s domestic double winners Galatasaray, league runners-up Fenerbahçe, third-placed Samsunspor and Turkish Cup finalists Trabzonspor.

Galatasaray booked their place in the final with an emphatic 4–1 semi-final victory over Trabzonspor. Goals from Barış Yılmaz, Eren Elmalı, Yunus Akgün and Mauro Icardi sealed a dominant display.

Fenerbahçe, meanwhile, overcame Super Cup debutants Samsunspor with a 2–0 win. Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Jhon Durán found the net, while Croatian defender Toni Borevković started the match for Samsunspor.

History favours Galatasaray

Galatasaray enter the final as the most successful club in Super Cup history. This is their 28th appearance in the competition, and they have lifted the trophy 17 times — seven more than Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor, their closest challengers. Their most recent triumph came in 2024, when they defeated Fenerbahçe 3–0 in the final.

For Fenerbahçe, the Super Cup has proven a more elusive prize. This will be their 20th appearance, with nine titles to their name, placing them fourth on the all-time list. Their last Super Cup success dates back to 2014, when they defeated Galatasaray on penalties in Manisa.

More than just a trophy

Beyond the statistics and history, today’s final carries immense symbolic importance. Another Super Cup victory would further cement Galatasaray’s dominance in the competition, while a Fenerbahçe triumph would end a decade-long wait and provide a significant psychological boost in the ongoing rivalry.

With the city divided and a trophy on the line, Istanbul is once again set for a high-stakes derby that rarely fails to deliver drama.

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