Berkay Bahar renews call for 10-year lease of Antalya Stadium

ATSO presidential candidate Berkay Bahar has reiterated his call for a 10-year lease of Antalya Stadium to solve the club's economic issues and unlock its commercial potential.

ATSO presidential candidate Berkay Bahar has reiterated his call for Antalyaspor to secure a 10-year lease for Antalya Stadium, arguing it is essential to solve the club's economic problems. A previous request for such a long-term lease was submitted to authorities but did not receive a positive response.

Bahar stated that long-term rental agreements are needed to meet corporate investors' expectations. "I have worked with all my might for Antalyaspor throughout my life. Antalyaspor has always been in my life," he said. He emphasised that the club's financial issues cannot be solved by club management alone and called for shared responsibility from the business community, local authorities, and other stakeholders.

HISTORY OF THE VENUE AND ITS POTENTIAL

The right to use Antalya Stadium was transferred from the association to Antalyaspor A.Ş. Via a protocol signed on 11 September 2016 during the half-time break of an Antalyaspor-Konyaspor match. The signatories were then Antalya Youth and Sports Provincial Director Burhanettin Hacıcaferoğlu, Antalyaspor Club Association President Nafiz Tanır, and Antalyaspor A.Ş. President Ali Şafak Öztürk. The stadium's foundation was laid on 23 June 2013, and it opened for service on 26 October 2015 with the Antalyaspor-Beşiktaş match after approximately 28 months of construction.

The stadium has a total construction area of 87,331 square metres, including 7,500 square metres of commercial space, 42 VIP lodges, 29 buffets, and 6 VIP entrances. Its roof features a 1,400 kW photovoltaic solar energy system. The club's official website lists the capacity as 33,000 spectators, while the Turkish Football Federation's current information page shows it as 29,307.

Bahar recalled that his family had provided material and moral support to Antalyaspor in the past and cited clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Manchester United as examples of strong city-brand relationships. He added that brand value development efforts were undertaken during Ali Şafak Öztürk's presidency.

THE CLUB'S CURRENT CONTEXT

This call comes as Antalyaspor enjoys a strong run of form in the 1. Lig. The team is currently 7th in the table with 15 points from 9 matches. Their recent form reads WWWLW (four wins, one loss), with the latest victory a 1-0 away win against Boluspor on 10 October. Sitting 7 points behind leaders Kayserispor, Antalyaspor will host that same top-placed side on 14 October.

"If there is no Antalyaspor, does this stadium have any value? No. We cannot bring any corporate firm inside," Bahar said, stressing that the venue's commercial potential is intrinsically linked to the club. He also stated that amateur sports branches should be prioritised in Antalya's sports policy. A previous three-year lease initiative worked on by Bahar and Fikret Öztürk did not yield the desired result. Reviewing the current squad structure and performance stats helps underline the importance of such long-term projects for the club's future.