The Turkcell Super League is the top-flight league in Turkish nationwide football, and the most popular sporting competition in the country. It is managed by Turkey's football federation. The league was established in 1959 as an attempt to unify some of the many regional leagues around the country. The season begins in August each year and ends in May, with a month-long winter break in December and January. The 18 clubs in the league play each other twice, once at home and once away. The bottom three teams are relegated to the Türk Telekom League A at the end of each season and replaced by three others teams from Türk Telekom League A.
As of the 2005/06 season, the top two teams qualify for the Champions League, with the champions entering the third qualifying round and the runners-up entering in the second qualifying round. The third-placed league team and the winners of the Turkey Cup make up the two Turkish teams that enter the UEFA Cup. The arrival of private television channels in Turkey in the 1990s created a bidding war for live coverage rights, pouring money into the league and raising footballing standards dramatically. Live coverage rights are currently held by Digiturk, the digital satellite platform, until the contract expires in 2010. Digiturk bought the rights in 2004 for 135.85 million New Turkish lira (US$99 million). On the other hand, Doğan Medya, the company of the Turkish media magnet Aydın Doğan, argues that the contract of Digiturk will expire in 2008. In accordance to this claim, Doğan Medya came out with a new offer of approximately $180 million. In 2005, the Turkish Football Federation signed a five-year deal with mobile phone operator Turkcell that saw the league's name changed to the 'Turkcell Super League' for five years. It came some years after an abortive sponsorship attempt by Turkcell's rivals, Telsim, in 1999.
Champions Only four clubs, also known as the "Big Four" have been champions since the beginning of the Super League: Fenerbahçe SK (17), Galatasaray SK (16), Beşiktaş J.K. (10, later 12) and Trabzonspor (6).
Season Champions since 1991 1990–1991 Beşiktaş J.K 1991–1992 Beşiktaş J.K. 1992–1993 Galatasaray S.K 1993–1994 Galatasaray S.K 1994–1995 Beşiktaş J.K 1995–1996 Fenerbahçe S.K 1996–1997 Galatasaray S.K 1997–1998 Galatasaray S.K 1998–1999 Galatasaray S.K 1999–2000 Galatasaray S.K 2000–2001 Fenerbahçe S.K 2001–2002 Galatasaray S.K 2002–2003 Beşiktaş J.K 2003–2004 Fenerbahçe S.K 2004–2005 Fenerbahçe S.K 2005–2006 Galatasaray S.K 2006–2007 Fenerbahçe S.K 2007- 2008 Galatasaray S.K 2008 - 2009 Besiktas J.K
Super League clubs, 2009-10 The clubs to play in the 2009-2010 season are listed below, alongside their home towns. For a better view then go to Footiemap.com to access their excellent map of Turkish football. At the half way point in the season Sivasspor have again set the pace along with Trabzonspor in a surprise situation. Galatasaray and Fenerbahce filled the other UEFA Cup places. At the bottom the two promoted teams, Kocaelisport and Hacettespespor are unsurprisingly adrift already.
Last season looked for quite awhile as if we would see a new name win the league in Sivasspor but they ended up 5 points behin Besiktas in second place. Trabzonspor finished in third place with the arch rivals Fenerbahce and Galatasaray in 4th and 5th and just making Europa League football next season.
Beşiktaş J.K. from Istanbul. One of the big three - they play at the beautiful Inonu Stadium. Click here for more details on the clubs that play in Istanbul.
Ankaragucu from Ankara Twice Turkish Cup winners, they are one of the oldest clubs from the capital city. They play at the Ankara 19 Mayis stadium which holds 19,125 and pictured above. They share the stadium with B B Ankaraspor and newly promoted Hacettespespor.
B. B. Ankaraspor from Ankara. They have yet to win a trophy in their near 100 year history. They share the Ankara 19 Mayis stadium with Ankaragucu (see above).
Bursaspor from Bursa. One single Turkish Cup to their name in 1986. They have had a long run in the top league, although prior to the 1990's most of their time was spent in the lower leagues. They play at the 19,700 capacity Bursa Ataturk Stadium - pictured right.
Çaykur Rizespor from Rize. Smallish club who are yet to break into the top 6 in the league. Did play in the Intertoto Cup in the early 2000's. Their Rize Ataturk Stadium holds 10,500 and is pictured to the left. The club were relegated at the end of the 2007/08 season.
Fenerbahçe SK from Istanbul. Turkish Champions in 2007, and managed by Spanish legend Aragones. They have also won more Championships than any other club in Turkey. Their Sukru Saracogu stadium holds over 50,000 and is due to host the UEFA Cup final in May 2008. Click here for more details on the clubs that play in Istanbul.
Galatasaray SK from Istanbul. Champions in 2007/08/ One of the most successful teams in recent years and the only club from Turkey to win an European Cup when they beat Arsenal in 2000 in the UEFA Cup final. They play at the very intimidating Ali Sami Yen Stadium - often refered to as "Hell". Click here for more details on the clubs that play in Istanbul.
Denizlispor from Denizl. Another team that has tried to break the Istanbul monopoly without success so far. They reached the 4th round in the UEFA Cup in 2003 - their only European competition. Their 17,500 all seater stadium - the Ataturk Stadium is pictured right.
Gaziantepspor from Gaziantep. Survived in the top division since 1990, although yet to win an honour. They have finished third on two occasions recently. Their 17,000 capacity Antep Kamil Ocak Stadium is pictured left.
Gençlerbirliği from Ankara. Their best ever finish was 5th in 2005 - the club were formed by a group of students. They had a marvellous run in the UEFA Cup in 2004 when they eliminated Parma, Blackburn Rovers and Sporting Lisbon before eventually losing to Valencia. They play at the Ankara 19 Mayis stadium which holds 19,125 and share the ground with B B Ankaraspor and Ankaragucu.
Gençlerbirliği OFTAŞ from Ankara and are technically the reserve team from the above club. However, on promotion to the Supaliga in 2007 a different chairman was appointed and technically they became seperate clubs. They also moved out to the Cebeci Inonu Stadium (pictured left) which holds 15,000.
İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor from Istanbul. Playing in their first ever Supaliga season. They were formed through a merger of a number of local teams in 1990. They play at the 82,300 Ataturk Olympic Stadium. Click here for more details on the clubs that play in Istanbul.
Kasımpaşa S.K. from Istanbul. A club that has risen dramatically through the lower leagues, albeit with some Government funding. They play at the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadium which holds 13,500 people and pictured right. Click here for more details on the clubs that play in Istanbul. The club were relegated in last place in 2007/08 but bounced back at the first opportunity in 2009.
Kayserispor from Kayseri. The club finished in 5th place in 2006 - their best ever league finish. They qualified for the Intertoto Cup, and then became the first Turkish club to win it. They play at the Ataturk Kayseri Stadium which is pictured left and holds 26,500.
Konyaspor from Konya. Winners of the 2nd Division in 2003, the club are noted for their bright green shirts. They finished 9th in 2008 and were then relegated in May 2009. They play at the Konya Ataturk Stadium in the city centre, pictured right, which holds 19,440.
Sivasspor from Sivas. Currently in their first ever stay in the Premier League, finishing 7th last season. Their open air 4 Eylul stadium holds 16,000 and is pictured to the left.
from Trabzon. The only club to have won the Championship from outside Istanbul. They have won the title on six occasions, the last time was in 1984. They have also had some success in Europe. Their Huseyin Avni Aker Stadium (pictured right) seats 19,649 fans.
Kocaelispor - Champions of the 2nd division in 2007/08 but relegated in 2009 and will be replaced by Manisaspor. They play at the Ismet Pasa Stadium which holds 12,710.
Antalyaspor - Runners up in the 2nd Division in 2007/08. They play at the Antalya Ataturk Stadium, the smallest in the top flight at 11,137 capacity.
Eskisehirspor - Promoted via the play offs at the end of the 2007/08 season. They play at the Eskisehir Ataturk Stadium which has a capacity of 18,608 fans.
Ankaragucu from Ankara Twice Turkish Cup winners, they are one of the oldest clubs from the capital city. They play at the Ankara 19 Mayis stadium which holds 19,125 and pictured above. They share the stadium with B B Ankaraspor and newly promoted Hacettespespor. 
Bursaspor from Bursa. One single Turkish Cup to their name in 1986. They have had a long run in the top league, although prior to the 1990's most of their time was spent in the lower leagues. They play at the 19,700 capacity Bursa Ataturk Stadium - pictured right.
Çaykur Rizespor from Rize. Smallish club who are yet to break into the top 6 in the league. Did play in the Intertoto Cup in the early 2000's. Their Rize Ataturk Stadium holds 10,500 and is pictured to the left. The club were relegated at the end of the 2007/08 season.
Denizlispor from Denizl. Another team that has tried to break the Istanbul monopoly without success so far. They reached the 4th round in the UEFA Cup in 2003 - their only European competition. Their 17,500 all seater stadium - the Ataturk Stadium is pictured right.
Gaziantepspor from Gaziantep. Survived in the top division since 1990, although yet to win an honour. They have finished third on two occasions recently. Their 17,000 capacity Antep Kamil Ocak Stadium is pictured left.
Gençlerbirliği OFTAŞ from Ankara and are technically the reserve team from the above club. However, on promotion to the Supaliga in 2007 a different chairman was appointed and technically they became seperate clubs. They also moved out to the Cebeci Inonu Stadium (pictured left) which holds 15,000.
Kasımpaşa S.K. from Istanbul. A club that has risen dramatically through the lower leagues, albeit with some Government funding. They play at the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadium which holds 13,500 people and pictured right. Click 
Kayserispor from Kayseri. The club finished in 5th place in 2006 - their best ever league finish. They qualified for the Intertoto Cup, and then became the first Turkish club to win it. They play at the Ataturk Kayseri Stadium which is pictured left and holds 26,500. 
Konyaspor from Konya. Winners of the 2nd Division in 2003, the club are noted for their bright green shirts. They finished 9th in 2008 and were then relegated in May 2009. They play at the Konya Ataturk Stadium in the city centre, pictured right, which holds 19,440.
Sivasspor from Sivas. Currently in their first ever stay in the Premier League, finishing 7th last season. Their open air 4 Eylul stadium holds 16,000 and is pictured to the left. 
from Trabzon. The only club to have won the Championship from outside Istanbul. They have won the title on six occasions, the last time was in 1984. They have also had some success in Europe. Their Huseyin Avni Aker Stadium (pictured right) seats 19,649 fans.