On Saturday, May 2, 2026, the Kurdish club Amedspor, representing Diyarbakir province, secured promotion to the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) Süper Lig for the first time in its history. The achievement followed a 3-3 draw against Iğdır FK in the final round of the First Division.
Amedspor concluded its season in the TFF 1. Lig in second place, raising its tally to 74 points from 38 matches to claim a direct promotion spot. Meanwhile, Erzurumspor had previously secured the first promotion slot with 81 points.
A Thrilling Final Match
The match between Amedspor and its host, Iğdır FK, in the 38th and final round was marked by high intensity:
6th Minute: Moryké Fofana opened the scoring for Iğdır.
19th Minute: Hasan Ali Kaldırım equalized for Amedspor following an assist from Dia Saba.
45+1 Minute: Mbaye Diagne gave Amedspor the lead via a penalty kick. He later added another, though the first half eventually ended in a 2-2 deadlock.
49th Minute: Dia Saba restored Amedspor’s lead in the second half.
80th Minute: Atakan Çankaya equalized for Iğdır, resulting in a 3-3 draw.
Son düdük…🏆#MücadeleninTakımı#TîmaTêkoşînê#TaximêXoverdayîşî pic.twitter.com/uMUKS0EZom
— Amedspor (@amedskofficial) May 3, 2026
This result, coupled with the stumble of rival Esenler Erokspor—who failed to defeat Pendikspor—confirmed Amedspor’s direct promotion.
Founded in 1990 in the city of Amed (Northern Kurdistan), the club will compete in the 2026-2027 Süper Lig season after its successful 2025-2026 campaign in the TFF 1. Lig.
Widespread Congratulations
Following the achievement, Amedspor received a wave of congratulations from political figures and sports organizations:
Mazloum Abdi, Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), praised the team’s performance, stating that “this promotion is a source of pride for its fans” and wishing them success in the top flight.
Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, congratulated the supporters, saying: “This victory has brought us great joy. We wish them lasting success and that they represent Amed in the best possible way.”
Tülay Hatimoğulları, Co-Chair of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, expressed her “heartfelt congratulations,” hoping the success marks the beginning of an even greater journey.
Tuncer Bakırhan, Co-Chair of the DEM Party, also offered his sincere congratulations on this “historic achievement.”
Challenges and Symbolic Significance
Amedspor boasts a vast fan base but has faced numerous challenges. Since 2016, the club has dealt with financial penalties and stadium closures. A notable incident occurred in March 2023, when players and fans were subjected to assaults during a match against Bursaspor.
The promotion is viewed as more than just a sporting feat; it carries profound symbolic and social weight. It reflects the success of a sports project built on persistence and grants the club a broader presence in the Süper Lig, making its upcoming participation a focal point for fans and observers alike.
This promotion marks a pivotal turning point in the club’s history. After climbing from the Third to the Second Division in the 2006-2007 season, the club officially changed its name to Amedspor on October 28, 2014. Following consecutive successes in recent seasons, the club has now reached the historic pinnacle of Turkish football.
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