Gürsel Aksel Stadium
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 Interactive map of Gürsel Aksel Stadium[1] | |
| Full name | Gürsel Aksel Spor ve Sağlıklı Yaşam Merkezi |
|---|---|
| Location | Konak, İzmir, Turkey |
| Coordinates | 38°23′49″N 27°04′33″E / 38.396821°N 27.075950°E |
| Executive suites | 41[2][3] |
| Capacity | 23,376 Capacity history
|
| Record attendance | 19,472[4] (Göztepe–Beşiktaş, 19 September 2025) |
| Field size | 105 m × 68 m (344 ft × 223 ft) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 9 September 2017[5] |
| Built | 2017–2019[1] |
| Opened | 26 January 2020[6][7] |
| Construction cost | ₺218,900,000.00[8] |
| Architect | DBArchitects[9] |
| General contractor | TOKI[10] |
| Main contractors | Rönesans Holding[3] |
| Tenants | |
| Göztepe S.K. Turkey national football team (selected matches) | |
The Gürsel Aksel Stadium[1] at the Gürsel Aksel Sports and Healthy Life Center (Turkish: Gürsel Aksel Spor ve Sağlıklı Yaşam Merkezi) is a football stadium located in Üçkuyular, Göztepe, a neighbourhood in the Konak district of İzmir, Turkey. The stadium is the home ground of İzmir-based sports club Göztepe S.K.
The stadium is commemorated after Gürsel Aksel who served entirely to club during his professional career, officially dubbed as "the great captain" by the club.[11]
Göztepe S.K. announced their agreement with TOKI, governmental housing agency of Turkey, for construction of a stadium on 22 February 2017.[12] Groundbreaking of stadium was 9 September 2017.[5] Stadium is planned to be built total of 12 thousand m2.[13] Initial projected capacity of stadium was announced as 20,035. In July 2019, projected capacity was increased up to 25,035.[14][15] In 2020, the construction cost of the stadium was reported by Anadolu Agency as 218,900,000.00 ₺.[10]
The first ever season tickets of the stadium were released on 8 November 2019, covering the second half of the 2019–20 Süper Lig season.[16]
The stadium was opened on 26 January 2020, Monday, at 16:00 local time, at the week 19 game of 2019–20 Süper Lig season, between Göztepe and Beşiktaş J.K.[6][7] The game ended 2–1 in favour of Göztepe S.K.[17] On 25th minute of the game, Halil Akbunar scored the first goal ever scored in Gürsel Aksel Stadium.[17][18] 17,855 spectators attended the opening game.[4]
Turkish Football Federation announced their decision on 14 April 2021, revealing that 2020–21 Turkish Cup Final to take place at Gürsel Aksel Stadium.[19] Played on 18 May 2021 between Antalyaspor and Beşiktaş, the game ended with 0–2 final score, sealing the cup title of Beşiktaş.[20]
On 11 June 2023, the stadium hosted the 2023 Turkish Cup final, which was played between Fenerbahçe and İstanbul Başakşehir. Fenerbahçe won the match 2–0.[21]
Facilities
Final layout of Gürsel Aksel Stadium lies on 34.651 m2 of building area with a total construction presence of 94.541 m2.[1] There is the official sports museum of Göztepe S.K., exhibition halls, food courts and a parking garage located inside and underground of the stadium.[1][3] On the roof of stadium, there is a 650 metres long walking track built.[3]
