BJK Inonu Stadium
Encyclopedia
Fiyapı İnönü Stadium is a football stadium in Istanbul
, Turkey
and is the home ground of the football club Beşiktaş J.K.
. Previously the ground has aso been shared with Galatasaray S.K.
and Fenerbahce S.K.. The ground is located in Dolmabahçe, close to the Dolmabahçe Palace
in the district of Beşiktaş
, on the Europe
an side of Istanbul. The stadium has an all-seated capacity
of 32,145.
On October 24, 2007, during a Champions League
match with Liverpool
, İnönü Stadium took the title of "loudest stadium in the world" when the fans at the stadium reached a world record of 132 decibels. This record was previously held by Liverpool fans.
Fiyapı İnönü Stadium has four stands: The Kapalı tribune which is parallel to the pitch at the north side can hold up to 5,881 supporters and it is regarded as the heart of the stadium, holding the most fanatical supporters. Facing the Kapalı is the Numaralı with a seating capacity of 5,237. The stands behind the goal areas are Eski Açık with a seating capacity of 7,962, and Yeni Açık with a seating capacity of 13,065. There are two towers on the left and right side of the Eski Açık stands.
The Bosphorus, Dolmabahçe Palace
, Dolmabahçe Clock Tower
, Dolmabahçe Mosque, and Kız Kulesi (Maiden's Tower) are viewable from within the stadium, and it is the only stadium in the world from which a football fan can view two continents, Europe
and Asia
, which are separated by the Bosphorus.
Before the stadium was all-seated the ground's capacity was over 45,000. İnönü Stadium holds the record for highest decibel level (132dB) ever recorded in football, in a match against Liverpool, breaking the previous record which was held by the Liverpool fans in Anfield
.
was chosen as the location to build the stadium. The first foundation was laid on May 19, 1939, but the construction works were frozen due to the outbreak of the Second World War. The stadium was inaugurated on May 19, 1947, by İsmet İnönü
, the second President of Turkey and himself a Beşiktaş fan, and Lütfi Kırdar, the Governor of Istanbul. The initial capacity was 16,000. In the original project plan, there were two bronze statues of athlete
figures at the Eski Açık tribune: One throwing a discus
, and the other one throwing a javelin
. However, the statues were never built due to financial concerns. The oil factory which was found behind the stadium was demolished to construct the Yeni Açık tribune at the west part of the stadium in 1950 (hence the name Yeni Açık, meaning the New Uncovered tribune; referring to the two covered tribunes (Numaralı and Kapalı) and the two uncovered tribunes (Eski Açık and Yeni Açık).) Yeni Açık was also covered with a separate roof structure in 2004. Galatasaray S.K.
and Fenerbahce S.K. have shared the stadium with Beşiktaş JK for many years, since the construction of the Ali Sami Yen Stadium
, which is the home of Galatasaray football club, was completed in 1964. Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium
, the home of Fenerbahçe S.K., was renovated in 1982.
The first football match at the İnönü Stadium took place between Beşiktaş JK and AIK
, Sweden, on November 27, 1947, and the first goal in the stadium was scored by Süleyman Seba
; the most famous and longest-presiding Chairman of the club (in the 1980s and 1990s) when he used to be a player of Beşiktaş JK. Beşiktaş won this match 3–2. In 1952, the stadium was named as the Mithat Paşa Stadium, and later in 1973, it was renamed as the İnönü Stadium. A leasing contract was signed between Beşiktaş JK and the related ministry in February 1998 which gave all usage rights of the İnönü Stadium to Beşiktaş JK for 49 years.
Renovation work took place at the BJK İnönü Stadium in 2004. The tartan track was removed within the scope of these activities and the ground level was lowered by 4 meters to increase the capacity of the stadium to 32,145 spectators. The press seats were relocated to the Numaralı tribune from the Kapalı tribune. The lounges that were found in the middle of the Kapalı tribune were demolished and for the first time in Turkey, the wire fence between the tribunes and the pitch were removed for space. The number of the gates were increased by 100%. A press center for BJK TV was built inside the stadium. The toilets and the launch counters were renewed. The Yeni Açık tribune was covered with a metallic structure. It complies with the UEFA standards.
Besides football, BJK İnönü Stadium has been used for many other events, particularly major music concerts. The first stadium concert in Istanbul was performed by Metallica at the İnönü Stadium . Other major events have included performances by: Guns N' Roses
, as part of the Use Your Illusion Tour
; Metallica
; Bon Jovi
; Michael Jackson
, as part of his Dangerous World Tour
; Madonna
, as part of The Girlie Show Tour
; Elton John
; Scorpions
; Sting and Tina Turner
. The stadium also hosted the heavy metal
Sonisphere Festival
in 2010, featuring the "Big Four" of thrash metal: Metallica
, Slayer
, Megadeth
, and Anthrax
.
Beşiktaş JK will play its matches at various stadiums around Turkey during the construction phase of the new stadium. The new stadium will have a modern design and the site will include new features for entertainment, a theater, a congress center, a 5-star hotel, a parking facility which will be able to accommodate 2,700 vehicles and a large shopping center.
The project of the new stadium was designed by the architects of HOK Sport. Previously, the HOK Sport designed more than 400 stadiums, including the new University of Phoenix Stadium
in Glendale
and the Emirates Stadium
of Arsenal F.C. in London
. The old stadium will be demolished, except for the Eski Açık tribune, since this tribune and its towers are historical monuments. The Eski Açık tribune will be re-arranged like an antique amphitheater and will be covered with glass in order to protect the structure. The new stadium will be in harmony with the natural and historic landscape of the Bosporus
when seen from the sea.
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and is the home ground of the football club Beşiktaş J.K.
Besiktas J.K.
Beşiktaş Jimnastik Kulübü , or simply Beşiktaş , is a Turkish sports club. The club's football team is one of the major teams in Turkey. The professional sports club, founded in 1903, is based in the Beşiktaş district in Istanbul, Turkey...
. Previously the ground has aso been shared with Galatasaray S.K.
Galatasaray S.K.
Galatasaray Spor Kulübü is a Turkish sports club based in Istanbul, most notable for its football section, also known as Galatasaray S.K.. It also fields teams in Athletics, Basketball, Wheelchair basketball, Volleyball, Water polo, Swimming, Rowing, Sailing, Judo, Bridge, Equestrian, Handball,...
and Fenerbahce S.K.. The ground is located in Dolmabahçe, close to the Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace located in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, Turkey, on the European coastline of the Bosphorus strait, served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1922, apart from a 22-year interval in which Yıldız Palace was used.- History :Dolmabahçe Palace...
in the district of Beşiktaş
Besiktas
Beşiktaş is a municipality of Istanbul, Turkey, located on the European shore of the Bosphorus. It is bordered on the north by Sarıyer and Şişli, on the west by Kağıthane and Şişli, on the south by Beyoğlu, and on the east by the Bosphorus...
, on the Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an side of Istanbul. The stadium has an all-seated capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of 32,145.
On October 24, 2007, during a Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
match with Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, İnönü Stadium took the title of "loudest stadium in the world" when the fans at the stadium reached a world record of 132 decibels. This record was previously held by Liverpool fans.
Structure
The Bosphorus, Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace located in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, Turkey, on the European coastline of the Bosphorus strait, served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1922, apart from a 22-year interval in which Yıldız Palace was used.- History :Dolmabahçe Palace...
, Dolmabahçe Clock Tower
Dolmabahçe Clock Tower
Dolmabahçe Clock Tower is a clock tower situated outside Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul, Turkey. The tower was ordered by Ottoman sultan Abdülhamid II and designed by the court architect Sarkis Balyan between 1890 and 1895....
, Dolmabahçe Mosque, and Kız Kulesi (Maiden's Tower) are viewable from within the stadium, and it is the only stadium in the world from which a football fan can view two continents, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, which are separated by the Bosphorus.
Before the stadium was all-seated the ground's capacity was over 45,000. İnönü Stadium holds the record for highest decibel level (132dB) ever recorded in football, in a match against Liverpool, breaking the previous record which was held by the Liverpool fans in Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
.
History
BJK İnönü Stadium was designed by Italian architect Paolo Vietti-Violi, who collaborated with Turkish architects Şinasi Şahingiray and Fazıl Aysu for preparing the project. The stable of the Dolmabahçe PalaceDolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace located in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, Turkey, on the European coastline of the Bosphorus strait, served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1922, apart from a 22-year interval in which Yıldız Palace was used.- History :Dolmabahçe Palace...
was chosen as the location to build the stadium. The first foundation was laid on May 19, 1939, but the construction works were frozen due to the outbreak of the Second World War. The stadium was inaugurated on May 19, 1947, by İsmet İnönü
Ismet Inönü
Mustafa İsmet İnönü was a Turkish Army General, Prime Minister and the second President of Turkey. In 1938, the Republican People's Party gave him the title of "Milli Şef" .-Family and early life:...
, the second President of Turkey and himself a Beşiktaş fan, and Lütfi Kırdar, the Governor of Istanbul. The initial capacity was 16,000. In the original project plan, there were two bronze statues of athlete
Athletics (track and field)
Athletics is an exclusive collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking. The most common types of athletics competitions are track and field, road running, cross country running, and race walking...
figures at the Eski Açık tribune: One throwing a discus
Discus throw
The discus throw is an event in track and field athletics competition, in which an athlete throws a heavy disc—called a discus—in an attempt to mark a farther distance than his or her competitors. It is an ancient sport, as evidenced by the 5th century BC Myron statue, Discobolus...
, and the other one throwing a javelin
Javelin throw
The javelin throw is a track and field athletics throwing event where the object to be thrown is the javelin, a spear approximately 2.5 metres in length. Javelin is an event of both the men's decathlon and the women's heptathlon...
. However, the statues were never built due to financial concerns. The oil factory which was found behind the stadium was demolished to construct the Yeni Açık tribune at the west part of the stadium in 1950 (hence the name Yeni Açık, meaning the New Uncovered tribune; referring to the two covered tribunes (Numaralı and Kapalı) and the two uncovered tribunes (Eski Açık and Yeni Açık).) Yeni Açık was also covered with a separate roof structure in 2004. Galatasaray S.K.
Galatasaray S.K.
Galatasaray Spor Kulübü is a Turkish sports club based in Istanbul, most notable for its football section, also known as Galatasaray S.K.. It also fields teams in Athletics, Basketball, Wheelchair basketball, Volleyball, Water polo, Swimming, Rowing, Sailing, Judo, Bridge, Equestrian, Handball,...
and Fenerbahce S.K. have shared the stadium with Beşiktaş JK for many years, since the construction of the Ali Sami Yen Stadium
Ali Sami Yen Stadium
Ali Sami Yen Stadium was the home of the football club Galatasaray SK in Istanbul, Turkey, from 1964 to 2010. It is named after the founder of the club, Ali Sami Yen...
, which is the home of Galatasaray football club, was completed in 1964. Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium
Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium
Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium is a football stadium in the Kadıköy district of Istanbul, Turkey, and is the home venue of Fenerbahçe S.K.. It was inaugurated in 1908 and renovated between 1999 and 2006...
, the home of Fenerbahçe S.K., was renovated in 1982.
AIK Fotboll
AIK, , an abbreviation for Allmänna Idrottsklubben, , when needed internationally AIK Stockholm, is a Swedish football club based at Råsunda stadium in Solna, a municipality in Stockholm County bordering to Stockholm City Centre...
, Sweden, on November 27, 1947, and the first goal in the stadium was scored by Süleyman Seba
Süleyman Seba
Süleyman Seba is a former Turkish football player and was the longest presiding Chairman of the Istanbul based multisports club Beşiktaş J.K..-Biography:...
; the most famous and longest-presiding Chairman of the club (in the 1980s and 1990s) when he used to be a player of Beşiktaş JK. Beşiktaş won this match 3–2. In 1952, the stadium was named as the Mithat Paşa Stadium, and later in 1973, it was renamed as the İnönü Stadium. A leasing contract was signed between Beşiktaş JK and the related ministry in February 1998 which gave all usage rights of the İnönü Stadium to Beşiktaş JK for 49 years.
Renovation work took place at the BJK İnönü Stadium in 2004. The tartan track was removed within the scope of these activities and the ground level was lowered by 4 meters to increase the capacity of the stadium to 32,145 spectators. The press seats were relocated to the Numaralı tribune from the Kapalı tribune. The lounges that were found in the middle of the Kapalı tribune were demolished and for the first time in Turkey, the wire fence between the tribunes and the pitch were removed for space. The number of the gates were increased by 100%. A press center for BJK TV was built inside the stadium. The toilets and the launch counters were renewed. The Yeni Açık tribune was covered with a metallic structure. It complies with the UEFA standards.
Music
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
, as part of the Use Your Illusion Tour
Use Your Illusion Tour
The Use Your Illusion Tour was a concert tour by the rock band Guns N' Roses which ran from January 20, 1991 to July 17, 1993. It was not only the band's longest tour, but one of the longest concert tours in rock history, consisting of 194 shows in 27 countries...
; Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
; Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
; Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, as part of his Dangerous World Tour
Dangerous World Tour
The Dangerous World Tour was the second worldwide concert tour by American megasuperstar Michael Jackson. The tour, sponsored by Pepsi-Cola, included 69 performances to an audience of 3.5 million. All profits were donated to various charities including Jackson's own "Heal the World Foundation". The...
; Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
, as part of The Girlie Show Tour
The Girlie Show Tour
The Girlie Show World Tour was the fourth concert tour by American singer-songwriter Madonna, in support of her fifth studio album, Erotica. The tour visited the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Madonna's inspiration for the name of the tour was a painting called "Girlie Show" by Edward Hopper...
; Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
; Scorpions
Scorpions (band)
Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still...
; Sting and Tina Turner
Tina Turner
Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...
. The stadium also hosted the heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
Sonisphere Festival
Sonisphere Festival
The Sonisphere Festival is a touring music festival which takes place across Europe between June and August. The festival is owned by John Jackson and Kilimanjaro Live. It is jointly-promoted by K2 and Kilimanjaro Live...
in 2010, featuring the "Big Four" of thrash metal: Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
, Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
, and Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
.
The new İnönü Stadium project
The club president Yıldırım Demirören has announced that a new stadium with a fully closed roof and a capacity of 42,000 spectators will be constructed. There will also be 200 luxury lodges which will entertain 6,000 spectators. The construction works were set to begin by June 2008, following the end of the promotion play-offs of the Bank Asya First League; but due to the several required administrative permissions – mainly because of the unique place of the stadium, the start of the project is postponed to the end of the 2008–2009 Turkcell Super League Season. Construction works are scheduled to be completed in 18 months, and the estimated cost of the project is $120 million.Beşiktaş JK will play its matches at various stadiums around Turkey during the construction phase of the new stadium. The new stadium will have a modern design and the site will include new features for entertainment, a theater, a congress center, a 5-star hotel, a parking facility which will be able to accommodate 2,700 vehicles and a large shopping center.
The project of the new stadium was designed by the architects of HOK Sport. Previously, the HOK Sport designed more than 400 stadiums, including the new University of Phoenix Stadium
University of Phoenix Stadium
University of Phoenix Stadium, opened August 1, 2006, is a multipurpose football stadium located in Glendale, Arizona. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League and the annual Fiesta Bowl...
in Glendale
Glendale, Arizona
Glendale is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, located about nine miles northwest from Downtown Phoenix. According to 2010 Census Bureau, the population of the city is 226,721....
and the Emirates Stadium
Emirates Stadium
Ashburton Grove, currently known as the Emirates Stadium, is a UEFA elite football stadium which is home to Arsenal FC, where they moved from Highbury in 2006. It has an current capacity of 60,361, and there have been rumours of an expansion...
of Arsenal F.C. in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The old stadium will be demolished, except for the Eski Açık tribune, since this tribune and its towers are historical monuments. The Eski Açık tribune will be re-arranged like an antique amphitheater and will be covered with glass in order to protect the structure. The new stadium will be in harmony with the natural and historic landscape of the Bosporus
Bosporus
The Bosphorus or Bosporus , also known as the Istanbul Strait , is a strait that forms part of the boundary between Europe and Asia. It is one of the Turkish Straits, along with the Dardanelles...
when seen from the sea.
External links
- Official website of Beşiktaş J.K.
- Beşiktaş J.K. official website: Project of the new İnönü Stadium
- Beşiktaş fans, orchestrated by Alen, performing their famous "Üçlü" (1–2–3) at BJK İnönü Stadium
- The organization of "Üçlü" (1–2–3) at the tribunes following the directions of Alen at the center of the field