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TURKISH football stars will soon be able to enjoy playing at an incredible new football arena.
The breathtaking Ankara Stadium is based in Turkey’s historic capital and is on the verge of completion.
Built on the site of the former 19 Mayis Stadium, it is set to play host to the Turkish national team — including aces like Real Madrid playmaker Arda Guler.
However, it will also be used as a major venue for Euro 2032, which is being hosted by both Turkey and Italy.
The impressive and shiny Ankara Stadium will be able to seat up to 51,000 eager fans.
It’s a huge upgrade on its predecessor, which only managed to boast around 19,000 seats.
Work began in July 2022 to create a new arena fit for Turkey’s capital, four years after the 19 Mayis Stadium was demolished.
The Ankara Stadium has since cost over £200MILLION to build, and features the third-longest steel roof span of any stadium in the world — clocking in at a huge 935ft.
Covering 160,000 square metres, the new ground also includes training facilities, a cafe, museum and even a conference hall.
According to Turkish minister Osman Askin Bak, it will be “a stadium that is alive 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — not just once a week”, making it “very fitting for Ankara.”
The Ankara Stadium was due to open at the start of this season in time for Turkey’s Nations League matches.
However, Guler and Co will continue to play at various stadiums around the country — most often at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul — until work is completed.
If the Ankara Stadium manages to open before the end of the current campaign though, it will get a brilliant debut as the host of the 2027 Conference League final.
Failing that, the match will instead be played at the Besiktas Stadium in Istanbul.
Local top-flight team Genclerbirligi and second-division side Ankaragucu could also end up playing their home games at the Ankara Stadium.
And football fans are sure to eagerly await the official opening.