Samsunspor

The Samsun Yeni 19 Mayis Stadyumu is the modern home of Samsunspor, located in the Sanayi district of Tekkeköy, on the outskirts of Samsun, Turkey's largest Black Sea city. The stadium holds 33,919 spectators and opened in 2022, replacing the historic 19 Mayis Stadyumu that had served the club for decades. Built as part of Turkey's broader programme of stadium modernisation, the new ground provides Samsunspor with state-of-the-art facilities for their Super Lig participation. The stadium's name commemorates May 19, Turkey's national holiday celebrating Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's landing in Samsun in 1919 to begin the Turkish War of Independence - an event of profound national significance.

Samsunspor have spent periods alternating between the Super Lig and lower divisions of Turkish football, and their most recent return to the top flight generated enormous enthusiasm in a city that is passionately attached to its football club. The Black Sea coast's football culture is intense and loyal, and Samsun's community - the region's principal city and port - has maintained consistent support for the club through periods of lower-division competition. The club's return to the Super Lig in the 2020s brought renewed investment and ambition, with the new stadium serving as the centerpiece of the club's modernisation.

The new Samsun stadium's modern design and full roof coverage provide excellent facilities for supporters on the often wet and windy Black Sea coast, and the stadium has quickly established itself as one of Turkey's better-equipped provincial venues. The surrounding region's economic importance as Turkey's principal hazelnut-producing area and major port gives Samsun a distinctive character within Turkish football. The Black Sea cultural identity - distinct from Istanbul's cosmopolitan character - ensures Samsunspor matches have a particular regional intensity that motivates both players and the passionate local support base to give their maximum effort for every Super Lig fixture.