The rivalry between Galatasaray and Besiktas is one of the fiercest in Turkish football, a clash that embodies not only sporting pride but also deep social, cultural, and historical undertones. Their first official encounter dates back to August 22, 1924, when Besiktas claimed a 2–0 victory in the Istanbul Football League. Galatasaray answered the following year with a thumping 6–1 win in July 1925, laying the foundation for a derby that has spanned over a century and produced some of the most unforgettable moments in Turkish sport. Since then, the two giants of Istanbul have met more than 350 times, with Galatasaray holding a slight advantage in victories and goals scored, though the margin remains narrow enough to fuel constant tension every time they take the field.

Historic Scorelines and Cultural Impact

The rivalry has seen its share of extraordinary scorelines. Galatasaray’s 9–2 demolition of Besiktas in 1940 remains one of the largest margins of victory in their long history, while Besiktas returned the favor in more modern times with emphatic triumphs of their own, most notably the 5–0 win in the 2024 Turkish Super Cup. That result set a record as the largest margin ever in the competition and stands as a vivid reminder that form, history, and status often mean little when these two sides collide.

But the Galatasaray–Besiktas rivalry extends beyond footballing statistics and scorelines. For decades, it carried strong socio-cultural associations: Galatasaray, historically linked to Istanbul’s elite through its ties to the prestigious Galatasaray High School, and Besiktas, often regarded as the club of the working and middle classes, rooted in grit and street identity. Though modern football has blurred these divisions, the old narratives still echo in fan chants and the intensity of the terraces.

Unique memories abound: from the early days when teams played in tiny Istanbul grounds before thousands spilled onto the streets, to more modern spectacles where fireworks, giant banners, and deafening chants turn the city into a pressure cooker. This is not just a game, but an event that grips the nation. The derby is a season within the season.

That season-within-the-season will once again take center stage this weekend. It will be interesting watching a drained Galatasaray, the team that just beat Liverpool in the Champions League, play against a rested Besiktas. Nevertheless, it’s still a derby and you can witness this chapter in this century-old saga on beIN SPORTS and beIN SPORTS en Español – LIVE on Saturday at 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT. Galatasaray vs Besiktas is more than just another derby —it is one of the defining spectacles of Turkish football.