Plans unveiled for new Ataturk Stadium and sports complex in occupied Nicosia

On September 19, 2026, Turkish and Turkish Cypriot authorities unveiled plans for the construction of a new Ataturk Stadium and multifunctional sports complex in the Gocmenkoy area of occupied Nicosia. The presentation was attended by Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, Turkish Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Askin Bak, Turkish Cypriot 'Prime Minister' Unal Ustel, and the head of the Turkish Cypriot Football Federation, Hasan Sertoglu.

The project will occupy a site of 56,257 square meters, replacing the current stadium. It is designed to meet UEFA Category 4 standards, featuring a capacity of 8,000 spectators with modular capabilities for future expansion. Amenities include 25 VIP suites, parking for 700 vehicles, indoor training facilities, medical centers, and media infrastructure. The design emphasizes sustainability, incorporating solar panels on parking structures and a rainwater harvesting system for pitch irrigation.

Describing the project as the largest sports investment in the region in 40 years, officials framed it as a significant milestone, with Yilmaz calling it a symbolic "seal" of Turkey's commitment to the area. Beyond sports, the complex is intended to serve as a hub for community activities and an emergency assembly point for the local population.