English residents in the area brought Turkish Football to the Ottoman Empire.
At 1875, the first matches were held in Selanik, which is today Thessaloniki.
Due in large part to its ferocious fan culture, Turkish football has always had a particular allure for fans outside of the country.
In 1904, the first professional league was founded. The "Constantinople Football League," based in Istanbul,
With 19 trophies, Galatasaray is the most successful Super Lig club in Turkish football.
Basketball is the second most popular sport in Turkey after football, both of which have their origins in the Ottoman Empire. Ottoman Salonica hosted the first games in 1875.
Football is the most widely played sport in Turkey.