Adana Demirspor
Adana Demirspor were founded by railway workers and have always been seen as a workers’ club. In 2023 they were playing European football. Three years on, after two straight relegations and points deductions running into the dozens, they are fighting from below zero in Turkey’s third tier.
Built by the Railway
The club was formed in 1940 by around 500 employees of the Turkish State Railways (TCDD), with regional chief Eşref Demirağ as the first president. The “Demir” in the name means iron, a nod to the railway. They won the Turkish Amateur Championship in 1954 and hold a record 16 Adana League titles, and the club’s water polo side has won 21 national titles.
The professional side has bounced between the top two divisions for decades, with Süper Lig spells including 1973–1984 and 1987–1990. They reached the Turkish Cup final in 1977–78 and finished sixth in 1981–82. The supporters have a strong political identity. In 2009 the fans asked for a friendly with Livorno, another club founded by workers, and the two sides met at the 5 Ocak Stadium under the banner of opposing racism and “industrial football”.
From 5 Ocak to New Adana Stadium
For 81 years the club played at the 5 Ocak Stadium. In March 2021 they moved to the 30,960-capacity New Adana Stadium, which they share with city rivals Adanaspor. That club was founded in 1954 by supporters unhappy with how Demirspor was being run, and the Adana derby has been one of Turkish football’s fiercest ever since.
From Europe to Minus 48
Promotion as 2020–21 second-tier champions started the best spell in the club’s history. Mario Balotelli signed in 2021, and a fourth-place finish in 2022–23 brought a first European campaign. In the 2023–24 Conference League they knocked out CFR Cluj and Osijek, winning 5–1 at home to the Croatians, before losing the play-off to Genk on penalties.
Then the money ran out. FIFA transfer bans arrived in 2024, and in February 2025 the team walked off in protest at a penalty against Galatasaray, a match awarded 3–0 to the visitors. Relegation was confirmed on 16 March 2025 with ten games to spare, the club finishing bottom with three wins from 36 games. In the 2025–26 TFF 1. Lig they were deducted 63 points over unpaid debts, won one game in 38 and finished last on minus 57. The 2026–27 season in the 2. Lig White Group began on minus 48 points. Volkan Bekiroğlu was appointed head coach in August 2026. After seven games, including a 2–1 win at Isparta 32 Spor on the opening day and a 3–0 home win over Somaspor, they sit bottom on minus 41.
Fatih Terim
Navy and Light Blue
Demirspor are known as the “Lacivert-Mavililer”, the navy and light blues, and the Blue Lightnings nickname comes from the same blue identity. Black has also featured, with the club sometimes described as “mavi-siyahlı”, the blue and blacks.
This FanFile covers Adana Demirspor as a club rather than one particular jersey. Check the crest, sponsor, manufacturer label and product code on your own shirt to identify its specific season and edition.
Your Next Football Shirt Could Come from Anywhere
Enjoyed discovering the story behind Adana Demirspor? Explore another club, country and football culture through an authentic mystery football shirt from Mystique Jerseys. Choose your size and tell us which teams you want to avoid before we select your surprise.
Prefer to browse? See every mystery football shirt in one place.
Club Links
Sources & Further Reading
- Wikipedia: Adana Demirspor club history and honours
- Wikipedia: 2025–26 TFF 1. Lig final table
- Habertürk: September 2026 points deduction
- Küçüksaat: Volkan Bekiroğlu appointed head coach
- Bianet: the 2009 Livorno friendly and fan identity
- Listelist: Adana Demirspor history and colours
Facts checked: 21 October 2026.