Football in Northern Cyprus

Football is undoubtedly the number one sport in Northern Cyprus. Despite the country's small size and limited international connections, the football culture here is surprisingly active and genuine. Locals follow the matches, support their clubs, and take pride in sporting achievements.

• Football Tournaments in Northern Cyprus
• International Restrictions
• Clubs and Stadiums
• Frequently Asked Questions

Football Tournaments in Northern Cyprus

Football in Northern Cyprus is organized in a structure reminiscent of European leagues. The main tournament is the Northern Cyprus Championship (Kıbrıs Türk Futbol Federasyonu Süper Lig). It features the country's strongest teams, with two lower divisions below — the 1st and 2nd leagues.

In addition to the main league, there are:

• Northern Cyprus Football Cup (KTFD Kıbrıs Kupası);
• Women's Championship — which has been developing rapidly in recent years;
• Youth leagues and competitions among school teams.

Despite limited resources, the sports infrastructure is constantly being updated — in recent years, stadiums in Nicosia and Kyrenia have been modernized, and training facilities have been built in Famagusta and Iskele.

International Restrictions

Due to the political status of the TRNC and the lack of recognition by FIFA and UEFA, local teams cannot participate in international tournaments. However, there have been rare exceptions. In 2019, for example, a friendly match between the northern and southern parts of Cyprus was held in the buffer zone — an event that became a symbol of the island's football unity.

Clubs from Northern Cyprus cannot even play against teams from Turkey — FIFA considers such matches a violation of regulations. Therefore, international football activity is limited, although domestic passion runs as high as in European league matches.

Nevertheless, the TRNC national team does exist and plays against teams from unrecognized states belonging to the CONIFA (Confederation of Independent Football Associations). In 2018, the Northern Cyprus team participated in the CONIFA World Cup in London and reached the final, where they lost to the Carpathian Rus team on penalties.

Clubs and Stadiums in Northern Cyprus

There are over 20 football clubs on the island, each with its own history, stadium, and loyal fans. Here are the main teams and their arenas:

Nicosia

• Cihangir — Cihangir Stadium
• Çetinkaya — Lefkoşa Atatürk Stadium
• Gençlik Gücü — Lefkoşa Atatürk Stadium
• Göçmenköy İdman Yurdu — Göçmenköy Stadium
• Küçük Kaymaklı — Lefkoşa Şehit Hüseyin Ruso Stadium
• Yenicami Ağdelen — Lefkoşa Atatürk Stadium

Kyrenia

• Alsancak Yeşilova — Alsancak Mustafa Hidayet Çağlar Stadium
• Doğan Türk Birliği — Girne 20 Temmuz Mete Adanır Stadium
• Karşıyaka Anamur — Lapta Şehit Şevket Kadir Stadium
• Türk Ocağı Limasol — Girne 20 Temmuz Mete Adanır Stadium

Famagusta

• Dumlupınar — Dr. Fazıl Küçük Stadium
• Mağusa Türk Gücü — Gazimağusa Canbulat Stadium
• Mesarya — Paşaköy Hasan Onalt Stadium
• Yeniboğaziçi Doğan — Yeniboğaziçi Osman Ergün Mehmet Stadium

Iskele

• Gençler Birliği — İskele Cumhuriyet Stadium

Lefke

• Lefke — August 16 Victory Stadium

Frequently Asked Questions about Sports in Northern Cyprus

How to buy a ticket to the stadium?

Tickets are usually sold directly at the entrance on match day — no advance booking is required. Prices are affordable (from 50 to 100 lira), and the atmosphere at matches is friendly and family-oriented. Links to stadium locations are provided above.

Can I become a sponsor of a football club?

Yes, most clubs actively seek partners and sponsors. State support for football is minimal, so sponsorship is the main source of development. For example, the law firm De Jure and the Cyprus-FAQ project sponsored the DTSK football team from Famagusta, providing players with sports equipment and gear.

What other entertainment is available in Northern Cyprus?

Besides football, the island is popular for basketball, volleyball, athletics, and traditional festivals, such as the Olive Festival. You can follow sports events and tournaments on our news channel.

If you want not only to watch but also to play — join the sports forum in Telegram, where players and coaches gather. Amateur matches and training sessions for children and adults are regularly organized there.