The Nations League stadiums of the Turkish national team ha…
New Nations League addresses of the National Team: Kocaeli, Bursa, Belgium, Italy
The first two matches of the Turkish national team in the 2026-27 UEFA Nations A League will be played in Kocaeli and Bursa, and the last two will be played in Belgium and Italy. Stadium choices are also critical for local economies.
The stadiums of the Türkiye national football team's matches against France, Italy and Belgium in the 2026-27 UEFA Nations A League have been officially determined. The first two matches will be played at home and the last two will be played away. Turkey will host the French national team at Kocaeli Stadium on September 7, 2026.
Three days later, on September 10, 2026, they will face Italy at Bursa Atatürk Sports Complex. These matches will be the national team's first domestic matches of the new season. The away schedule has also become clear: The match will be played against the Belgian national team at the Maurice Dufrasne Stadium in Liège, Belgium, on October 11, 2026, and will complete the second away match against Italy at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium in Bologna, Italy, on October 14, 2026.
All matches are included in the UEFA Nations A League 2026-27 season. In the statement made by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), it was emphasized that the stadium selections were carried out in coordination with local governments. It was noted that Kocaeli Stadium has a capacity of 35,000 and Bursa Atatürk Sports Complex has a capacity of 43,765.
Maurice Dufrasne Stadium has a capacity of 30,023 spectators and Renato Dall'Ara Stadium has a capacity of 38,279 spectators. TFF General Secretary Metin Atmaca drew attention to the economic and social effects of the elections: 'These matches will revitalize local tourism and contribute to the promotion of stadiums. ' Going beyond Istanbul and Ankara in stadium preferences shows that the federation follows a geographically based strategy.
Kocaeli and Bursa, which have high industrial and population density, are critical points in terms of both logistics capacity and audience demand. Holding the matches, especially against world giants such as France and Italy, in these cities aims to expand the fan base by focusing on the passion for football in Anatolia. This decision is not only a match organization, but also a long-term investment in terms of regional development and sports tourism.
The Liège and Bologna selections on the away route bring a difficult atmosphere for the Turkish team. The away games against Belgium and Italy will be critical turning points that will test the squad depth of the technical staff. The tough away matches to be held in October immediately following the home matches in September will test the physical and mental condition of the players.
In addition, the historical texture of Maurice Dufrasne hosted by Belgium and the greatness of Renato Dall'Ara in Bologna, Italy will offer an unforgettable travel experience and support opportunity for Turkish fans. Considering the quality of the group, hosting preferences are designed not only as geography but also as a psychological battlefield. man' aims to maximize his impact.
The technical team wants to decide the fate of the group early by turning the fan pressure into an advantage, especially in this six-point series in September. These stadiums will not only be places where matches are played, but also the center of traps to be set against European giants. Away details show that the issue is not limited to the field.
Belgium's transfer of the matches it usually plays in Brussels to Liège brings with it an unusual atmosphere and logistical test for the Turkish team. Italy's Bologna, on the other hand, points to an arena where technical and tactical discipline will be tested at the highest level in the land where football was born. The fact that these difficult away games will be played in October, right after the home advantage in September, makes the depth of the player pool and injury management of critical importance.
This calendar takes into account the rotation capacity of the squad. What will happen: Stadium selections will act as catalysts for local economies. In addition to Kocaeli and Bursa, stadiums in Belgium and Italy will also benefit from tourism and trade.
The national team's preparation process for the new season will also be concentrated in these stadiums. Read at CNN Türk Spor
Why this matters
Stadium selections are not only sports but also economic and social investments. Playing local matches in Kocaeli and Bursa will contribute to the promotion of these cities in the international arena. It will also create a wide range of economic activity, from local businesses to accommodation. The opportunity for fans to watch the matches on-site will strengthen the support base of the national team.
Frequently asked
In which stadium will Türkiye's first match in the 2026-27 UEFA Nations A League be played?
Turkey will play its first match against the French national team at Kocaeli Stadium on September 7, 2026.
For which match will Bursa Atatürk Sports Complex be used?
Bursa Atatürk Sports Complex will host Türkiye's match against the Italy national team on September 10, 2026.
Where will Türkiye's away matches in Belgium and Italy be played?
The Belgium match will take place on 11 October 2026 at the Maurice Dufrasne Stadium in Liège, and the Italy match will take place on 14 October 2026 at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium in Bologna.
Which tournament are these matches included in?
All matches were recorded as matches for the 2026-27 UEFA Nations A League season.
What is the capacity of Kocaeli Stadium and Bursa Atatürk Sports Complex?
Kocaeli Stadium has a capacity of 35,000 spectators and Bursa Atatürk Sports Complex has a capacity of 43,765 spectators.
How does TFF evaluate stadium selections?
TFF General Secretary Metin Atmaca stated that the elections will revitalize local tourism and contribute to the promotion of stadiums.
