Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Stadium (Timsah Arena) is a 43,361-seat football stadium in the Osmangazi district of Bursa. Opened in 2015, it serves as the home venue for Bursaspor and features a distinctive crocodile-shaped roof design.
Timsah Arena, officially known as Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Stadium (and Atatürk Sports Complex Matlı Stadium due to sponsorship), opened in 2015 as the home ground of Bursaspor. Built according to UEFA 2016 standards with a 43,361-seat capacity, the structure consists of 6 floors and 8 blocks. It takes its nickname from its steel roof construction, which resembles the back of a crocodile from the outside. However, not everyone sees the resemblance clearly, with some visitors humorously noting it doesn't look much like a crocodile.
The stadium really comes alive on match days. Visitors frequently rave about the electrifying atmosphere in the stands, particularly during the intense fan chants known as "cendere." Some describe the arena as a spiritual sanctuary for supporters rather than just a sports venue. On the downside, there are complaints about legroom and tight seating, so it's wise to consider seating sections carefully when purchasing tickets. As of 2026, ongoing landscaping work around the stadium aims to add new social areas and seating spots.
Guide's Note
Most recent visitors leave with positive impressions regarding the stadium's overall appearance and build quality. Reviewers commonly mention that the arena is architecturally impressive and sets high expectations for match days.
However, due to a limited number of reviews, a comprehensive assessment is challenging. While the stadium itself receives praise for its physical structure, visitors point out areas for improvement in surrounding commercial facilities and landscaping.
- Surrounding area: Visitors note a shortage of nearby cafes and venues to spend time in before or after the match.
- Bursastore fan shop: The official team store inside the stadium is considered relatively small, with visitors suggesting a larger space is needed.
About the Stadium
Opened in 2015, Timsah Arena is the home stadium of Bursaspor. Officially named Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Stadium, it is also referred to as Atatürk Sports Complex Matlı Stadium under sponsorship agreements. Built in accordance with UEFA 2016 stadium criteria, the venue has a capacity of 43,361. The structure spans 6 floors (3 above ground, 2 underground, and 1 concourse platform) across 8 blocks.
How to Get There?
For metro travelers, Paşaçiftliği station is the closest stop, located just a 9-minute walk from the stadium. Those taking the bus can use lines 2C, 771, B39, B5, and E13; Dikkaldırım stop is another convenient option. The Bursaspor and Hat Cd. stops are 6–7 minutes and 4 minutes away on foot, respectively. Due to heavy traffic on match days, public transportation is much more practical than driving.
Best Time to Visit
To truly experience the venue, you should visit during a Bursaspor home match. The atmosphere reaches its peak during derby games and big league clashes, when the stands fill up and fans chant their famous 'cendere' chants. While you can view the stadium from the outside on any given day, being inside on match day is essential to feel the true passion.
Things to Keep in Mind
Some visitors complain about seat comfort, reporting narrow legroom and side spacing that can feel cramped. Careful selection of tribune and row when buying tickets is recommended, especially for taller spectators. As landscaping and renovation works around the stadium continue as of 2026, expect temporary changes at certain entry points.
Best Photo Spots
The most striking exterior feature is the green steel roof designed to look like a crocodile's back. Shooting photos of this architecture in daylight is popular. Inside, capturing panoramic shots of packed stands—especially from the upper tiers—best reflects the vibrant match day atmosphere.
Nearby Places
The stadium is located in the Osmangazi district, near the Acemler Transit Hub. From this hub, bus connections are available to various parts of the city and outer districts like Orhaneli and Büyükorhan. Once ongoing landscaping efforts around the stadium are complete, the surrounding park area is set to become a pleasant spot for walks on non-match days.
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