How to Attend a Football Match in Istanbul
Turkish football is not just a game, it's a national obsession. It unites people from Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.
Turkish football culture, whose origins lie in the everyday life and daily routines of all the people, is for the amateur matches and the highly committed and shrieking fans at the Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş matches. The sport reflects the emotions and the heart of the people, and the national pride is not just in the trophies.
It is more than that, and it is worth celebrating. While the fans are not as famous as the country's football, Turkey football fans are one of the most passionate.
Every match is an event, and each game is a depiction of the passion and identity of the people for the sport that brings the people and the country together.
Lately, Turkish football started to attract attention and Super League became more popular than ever after being televised across Europe and Arab countries. Besides the game itself, Turkish football fans are known as one of the best supporters in the world, maybe the craziest and loudest ones.
This is the main reason for the tourists, especially the ones who are interested in football, as they want to witness the atmosphere of a football game and be a part of the exciting crowd. But this is not easy as buying a ticket and getting in, there is a procedure to be a football client as football became a commercial activity in the 21st century.
Hope this article will help all the football lovers to spectate at a game as it is not simple to make this happen nowadays especially after a tiring day with your private tour guide wandering around the city.
How Can I Buy Football Match Ticket in Istanbul Turkey
1- You should log in to https://www.passolig.com.tr/uye-ol and become a member even you will only watch one game in your entire life. The main reason is to sell you a card that possibly you will never use to make the football association and the government get funds.
As all the cards are personalized and match with your identity info they tell that it is for security reasons to identify you if anything happens in the stadium. This is how it works, do not question, currently because of covid your card you will have your HES code.
2- You now have your virtual card at least, you will not need the actual card to go into the stadium, will explain that later. It is time to top up your virtual card to buy an e-ticket and you do it through this link. https://www.passolig.com.tr/para-yukleme
3- After topping your card up, you are ready to go online and get your e-ticket. Remember that you should have the correct amount to buy the ticket, it is better to check first the ticket price than top it up. https://www.passolig.com.tr/ is the website that you should look for the tickets.
You will log in with your membership information and the ticket will be seen on your virtual card after purchase.
4- Normally it takes some time for you to receive the card but you do not need to get the card itself as you may request a temporary one from the kiosks at the stadium. Then you may use that one to get in. You may enjoy the game now.
By the way, do not miss the party day where all the fans gather and chant before moving to the stadiums as this part is maybe funnier than the game. The intensity that Turkish has with football is contagious and captivating, you will certainly love watching a local football match!
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