Work on the modern stadium with a capacity of 51 thousand people in Ankara is at the final stage.

ANKARA (AA) – FATİH ÇAKMAK – The work on the new stadium, which was built in the capital Ankara and will be one of the most modern sports facilities in Turkey, has reached the final stage. The stadium with a capacity of 51 thousand spectators, built by TOKİ on behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, is aimed to be completed in time for the 2026-2027 season. ASL Stars Joint Venture Ankara Stadium Project Manager Cem Saraçlar, in his statement to AA correspondent, said that the work for the stadium started at the end of June 2022.

Stating that the general progress rate in construction has exceeded 90 percent, Saraçlar stated that the indoor activities and manufacturing have been largely completed. Stating that the main stadium structure is 95 percent completed, Cem Saraçlar stated that landscaping works are continuing intensively. Stating that weather conditions slow down the work from time to time, Saraçlar said: “Most of the indoor activities and most of the manufacturing have been completed.

Our environmental regulations are continuing rapidly. Our goal is to complete our stadium project at the beginning of the 2026-2027 season. 95 percent of the main structure is finished. All the main products of our steel structure were lifted to the ceiling and installed in place. We have approximately 17 thousand tons of steel production. We have a steel structure and roof structure that is ranked in the world. Currently, the last small elements are being assembled on the roof of the stadium, checks and paint touch-ups are being carried out.

“On the roof, our friends with mountaineer athlete certificates are doing the final paint touches.” Stating that the membrane systems to be used in roof covering have started to be installed, Saraçlar stated that the engineering calculations were carried out with great precision. – Installation of red-white seats has started. Cem Saraçlar stated that the installation process of the stadium’s tribune seats designed in red-white colors has started and said, “We have started the seat connections, nearly 50 percent of the seats have been manufactured and are currently on the field.

“Hopefully, we will start seat installations quickly after the holiday.” he said. Explaining that the number of daily employees during the construction period sometimes reached 1300 people, Saraçlar emphasized that there was intense effort in the project. Stating that the February 6, 2023 earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş also affected the project, but the work continued as planned, Saraçlar said, “The initially planned audience capacity of our project has been increased.

“Our project will have a capacity of 51 thousand spectators at the opening.” he said. – UEFA’s demands will be reflected in the project. Stating that Turkish Football Federation and UEFA officials also visited the stadium, Cem Saraçlar said, “UEFA shared some predictions and demands. I hope we will complete all of those demands.” he said. Emphasizing that the new stadium was designed as a large sports complex that will serve not only football matches but also many different branches, Saraçlar said, “There are halls in the building, in a closed area of 160,000 square meters, where approximately 15 different sports branches can be trained.

Training halls are being prepared for many different branches such as boxing, shooting, taekwondo, karate, ice hockey and table tennis.” he said. Stating that a modern athletics facility was also built, Saraçlar said that the halls here were designed so that athletes can train in the winter months. – “When will the first ball land on the field?” Cem Saraçlar stated that the decision regarding the name of the stadium will be made by the Ministry of Youth and Sports after the submission process.

Regarding the architecture of the stadium, Saraçlar said, “Our architect Bahadır Özkul was inspired by the patterns on the football ball when designing the structure. In addition, the viewing comfort of our stadium is very high.” There is a curve regarding cruise comfort called the C curve. The ability to see every corner of the field is also available from every point of the stands. One of the most important features is that our roof structure sits on 8 main supporting legs like a shell system and does not touch the main structure.

In this way, football fans will have clear viewing comfort from every part of the stands.” he said. Saraçlar stated that the specially designed press tribune has a press capacity of 1400 people. Cem Saraçlar, when asked when the stadium will be operational, said, “All our plans are to prepare for the 2026-2027 football season. “Hopefully, we will bring football fans together in this stadium at the beginning of the season.” he replied.