The Süper Lig is the highest tier of the Turkish football where 18 clubs contest the title of the champion. The season starts in August and runs till May.
The origins of football in Turkey date back to the 19th century when the game was played by the English sailors and soldiers in Istanbul. Before the current league was established in 1959 only football competitions in several cities were held. The Federation Cup held in 1956 was the first tournament that decided the Turkish champion.
In Süper Lig each club plays the other twice, one “home” match and one “away” game, totaling 34 games in the season. The champion receives a chance to participate in the Champions League, runners-up get into third qualifying round of the Champions League, third, and fourth and fifth places take part in the Europa League. Tree lowest sides face relegation to the 1. Lig.
Overall 66 clubs have participated in the tournament throughout its history while only five claimed the trophy. Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe clinched 18 titles, Beşiktaş won the Süper Lig 13 times, Trabzonspor celebrated 6 victories and Bursaspor one.
The top goalscorer of the championship is Hakan Şükür with 249 goals.
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