Centennial Atatürk Stadium Explained

Stadium Name:Yüzüncü Yıl Atatürk Stadyumu
Nickname:Crocodile's Nest
Fullname:Yüzüncü Yıl Atatürk Stadyumu
Former Names:Timsah Arena (2015–2017)
Timsah Park (2017–2021)
Bitci Timsah Park (2021–2023)
Location:Bursa, Turkey
Coordinates:40.2108°N 29.0094°W
Broke Ground:1 June 2011
Built:2011–2015
Opened:21 December 2015
Owner:Ministry of Youth and Sports
Surface:GrassMaster hybrid grass
Operator:Bursaspor
Construction Cost:
Architect:Hasan Sözüneri
General Contractor:Gintaş İnşaat Taahhüt ve Ticaret A.Ş.
Tenants:Bursaspor (2016–present)
Turkey national football team (selected matches)
Seating Capacity:43,361[1]
Suites:72
Record Attendance: (BursasporFenerbahçe, 8 December 2017)

The Centennial Atatürk Stadium (Turkish: Yüzüncü Yıl Atatürk Stadyumu) is an association football stadium in Bursa, Turkey. It has a capacity of 43,361 spectators[1] and is home to Bursaspor of the TFF Second League, replacing the Bursa Atatürk Stadium.

The stadium is called the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Stadium (Turkish: Bursa Büyükşehir Belediye Stadyumu) in UEFA competitions.[2]

Stadium design

The design of the stadium features a large crocodile's head attached to the north end of the ground,[3] which was constructed from white and green polytetrafluoroethylene, green polyvinyl chloride and glass.[4] This is reflected in the stadium's initial name of the Timsah Arena (English: Crocodile Arena).[5]

International football

The stadium has been included in various bids by Turkey to host the UEFA European Championship, including the unsuccessful bid for UEFA Euro 2024[6] and the successful bid for UEFA Euro 2032.[7]

Turkey national football team matches

The stadium has hosted the Turkish national team. A 2–0 defeat to Croatia during UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying was played at the ground.[2]

The following national team matches were held in the stadium.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bursa Büyükşehir Belediye Stadyumu. Turkish Football Federation.
  2. Web site: Türkiye-Croatia. UEFA. 22 April 2024.
  3. Web site: Turkey: Wedding in a crocodile's mouth, anyone?. StadiumDB.com. 12 June 2017.
  4. Web site: Bitci Timsah Park (Timsah Arena). StadiumDB.com. 22 April 2024.
  5. Web site: Timsah Arena. The Stadium Guide. 22 April 2024.
  6. Web site: stadiums list (p. 50), Turkish Football Federation UEFA EURI 2024 bid brochure. tff.org. 26 April 2018.
  7. News: TFF EURO 2028 ve EURO 2032 adaylık dosyasını UEFA'ya teslim etti. 12 April 2023. 61saat.com. turkish. 12 April 2023.