Trabzon Football Culture: A Guide to Trabzonspor and Match Day

Many visitors to Trabzon notice on their very first evening just how deeply football runs through the city: claret-and-blue flags waving in the bazaar, endless match talk in the teahouses, sports radio playing in every taxi. Trabzon football culture is about far more than Trabzonspor's achievements on the pitch; it is part of the city's identity, its pride and its everyday life. In this guide, we cover the club's story in brief, what you need to know if you want to watch a match at the stadium, how to combine a match weekend with a trip around Trabzon, and the mistakes visitors make most often.

Whether or not you're a football fan, getting to know this culture a little will help you understand Trabzon. On match day, the whole rhythm of the city changes; shopkeepers' chatter, the flow of traffic and the conversation around the dinner table are all shaped by that day's result.

The Story of Trabzonspor: Anatolia's First Champion

Trabzonspor was founded in 1967 through the merger of the city's local clubs and adopted claret and blue as its colours. What makes the club special in Turkish football is that, in the 1975-76 season, it became the first team from outside Istanbul to win the league title. The winning streak that began in those years lasted until the mid-1980s, earning the team the nickname "Black Sea Storm".

One of the best-known names of that era is Şenol Güneş, who kept goal for the club for many years. Güneş later made history as a manager too, both for the club and for the national team; he was the man in charge when Turkey finished third at the 2002 World Cup. Today, Trabzonspor's stadium bears his name.

The 2021-22 league title, which came after a long wait, was etched into memory with celebrations that went on for days across the city. For the people of Trabzon, the club is a symbol that the Black Sea region can compete on equal terms with the clubs of the big cities. That's why match results here aren't just sports news; they set the mood of the entire city.

Claret and blue, and the "61" identity

The number "61", which you'll see all over the city, is Trabzon's licence plate code and has become synonymous with fan identity. You'll spot it on scarves, car windows and graffiti. Claret and blue, meanwhile, isn't just on the kit; it's the colour of the city, found on shop signs, in café décor and on souvenirs.

From Avni Aker to Akyazı: Trabzon's Two Stadiums

For decades, Trabzonspor played at Hüseyin Avni Aker Stadium in the city centre. With stands set very close to the pitch, it was known as one of the toughest away grounds for visiting teams. Most of the football memories of older Trabzon locals are rooted in this stadium; on match days, the surrounding streets would be draped entirely in claret and blue.

Hüseyin Avni Aker Stadium, where Trabzonspor played its matches for decades — Photo: oytun serdar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

In late 2016, the club moved to its new stadium in Akyazı. Known as the Şenol Güneş Sports Complex, and sometimes referred to by other names depending on sponsorship deals, this ground has a capacity of around 40,000, making it one of the largest football venues on the Black Sea coast. It sits on the coastal strip between the city centre and Akçaabat, and its seaside location makes it an impressive sight from the outside as well.

• The old stadium: The city's football memory lives here; most fans' stories took place within its walls.
• The new stadium: A modern venue with covered stands that fills almost to capacity for big matches.
• For photos: The new stadium looks great from the coastal side, especially at sunset; just remember that on non-match days you can only see it from the outside.

Watching a Match at the Stadium: What You Need to Know

Watching a Trabzonspor match from the stands is the way to experience the city's energy at its most intense. Knowing a few practical points in advance, however, will help you enjoy a stress-free match day.

Tickets and Passolig

Entry to professional league matches in Türkiye is through an electronic ticketing system called Passolig. Turkish visitors can register with their ID cards, while foreign visitors can register with their passports. Since the rules and sales channels change from time to time, check the latest information in announcements from the club and official ticket outlets. Tickets for big matches sell out fast, so don't leave it until the last minute.

When to go and what to bring

• Arrive early: Because of security checks and crowds, it's a good idea to be around the stadium at least one and a half to two hours before kick-off.
• Bring a raincoat: Rain and wind are common in Trabzon during autumn and winter matches. Opt for a hooded raincoat rather than an umbrella; items such as umbrellas and glass bottles are generally not allowed into the stadium.
• Don't wear the opposing team's colours: Wearing an away team's shirt or scarf in the home stands is frowned upon and may also break the rules.
• If you're going with children: Choose lower-stakes matches and wait for the crowds to thin out before leaving the stands.

The atmosphere in the stands at a Trabzonspor match — Photo: Myrat, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

The atmosphere in the stands carries the energy of Black Sea music: collective chants, anthems sung by the whole stadium in unison and goal celebrations that move even those who aren't football fans. If you can't watch the match from the stands, joining the crowds gathered around the screens in city-centre cafés and teahouses offers a similar experience.

What to Do in Trabzon on Match Day

An evening match takes up only part of your day. You can fill the rest of your time with activities around the city, whether football-related or not.

Shopping for shirts and scarves in the bazaar

You'll find shirts, scarves, beanies and claret-and-blue souvenirs at the club's official stores and in shops around the bazaar. If you'd like to combine your shopping with a stroll through the bazaar, take a look at our Trabzon Bazaar guide; to tell official merchandise from knock-offs, pay attention to the labels and price differences.

A seaside stroll and sunset

The coastline in and around Akyazı is perfect for a pre-match walk or bike ride. On a clear day, watching the sun set over the Black Sea before heading into the stands is one of the most enjoyable ways to start a match day.

Post-match Akçaabat köfte

With the stadium located on the Akçaabat side, it's easy to round off the evening with the famous köfte. We tell the story of this meatball and how it's eaten in our Akçaabat köfte article; bear in mind that restaurants can get crowded on match nights.

A rainy morning: the aquarium with the family

If you'd like to spend the hours before the match indoors with the kids, our aquarium visit is a great option. For other things to do in the city, check out our list of activities in Trabzon.

Combining a Match Weekend with a Trip Around Trabzon

Travelling away fans and football lovers who come to the city to see Trabzonspor play often just see the stadium and head home. Yet with a two- or three-day plan, it's entirely possible to fit the match and some of the Black Sea's most beautiful spots into the same weekend.

• If the match is in the evening: Spend the day on our Trabzon City Tour; you'll explore Boztepe, the Atatürk Mansion and the historic centre with a guide, then arrive at the match well rested in the evening.
• The day before the match: Our Uzungöl Tour offers a full-day nature escape. With a walk around the lake, highland views and a tea break, you'll enjoy a peaceful day before the city's football fever kicks in.
• The day after the match: Visit the monastery in the Altındere Valley on our Sümela Tour; it's an itinerary you can comfortably complete before your return flight.

While our group tours are an affordable and sociable option, a private tour offers more flexibility if you're travelling with friends or family: with your own vehicle and driver, you can agree on departure and return times to suit your match plans. For fan groups, multiple vehicles can also travel on the same itinerary. You'll explore with a guide and full insurance, free from the hassle of planning, traffic and parking.

The Most Common Mistakes Visitors Make

• Making plans before the fixtures are confirmed: The dates and kick-off times of league matches are usually confirmed only a few weeks in advance, and postponements and time changes can happen. Choose flexible options when booking flights and hotels.
• Leaving Passolig until the last minute: Registration and ticketing can take time, especially for foreign visitors.
• Not allowing for match-day traffic: The coastal road gets very busy around kick-off. If you're planning a tour on the same day, adjust your return time accordingly; on a private tour, discussing this when you book makes things much easier.
• Expecting matches in summer: The Süper Lig generally runs from August to May; if you visit Trabzon in the summer months, you'll only be able to see the stadium from the outside.
• Taking football talk lightly: Chatting about football with Trabzon locals is great fun, but listening with curiosity rather than mocking the debate always goes down better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Trabzon City Tour include the stadium?

The stops on the standard itinerary are listed on the tour page. If you'd like to see the stadium or take photos in front of it, you can request to add this stop to the route with the private tour option.

Can tour times be adjusted to match kick-off?

Group tour times are fixed. On private tours for families or groups, however, departure and return times are planned together with you; simply let us know your match day.

What's included in the tour price?

Our tours depart from Trabzon and are guided and insured. The services included and not included in the price are listed separately on each tour's page; for current prices and itineraries, get in touch via our WhatsApp line.

How can I make a booking?

You can book directly from the tour pages, via our WhatsApp line (0532 170 91 54) or by calling our office (0462 321 08 03). As match weekends can be busy, we recommend getting in touch early.

Can foreign tourists buy tickets for a Trabzonspor match?

Yes, foreign visitors can buy tickets by registering with the Passolig system using their passports. As the rules may change, check the latest information through official channels.

Conclusion

Trabzon's football culture lets you get to know the city not just as a travel destination, but as a living community. Combine the passion in the stands, the claret and blue of the bazaar and the post-match conversations around the dinner table with trips to Uzungöl, Sümela and the city centre, and you've got an unforgettable weekend. Leave the planning to us, and simply focus on the match and the views.