Another Kurdish club reaches the professional leagues. Bitlis Spor 1916 beat Çarşambaspor 3-2 in the Regional Amateur League (BAL) play-off final in Istanbul on 14 June 2026, earning promotion to Turkey's TFF 3rd League.
A comeback for the title
In the final at Istanbul's Yusuf Ziya Öniş Stadium, Bitlis fell 2-0 behind but did not give up. They levelled at 2-2 before half-time and won the game 3-2 with a goal in extra time. Ümit Koz (2) and Tolga Keskin were the scorers. Coached by Mustafa Özer, the side completed the play-off run unbeaten.
Celebrations in the city
Many fans travelled to Istanbul for the match, while in Bitlis the game was watched on a giant screen set up in Mevlana Park. At the final whistle, celebrations erupted across the city — with folk dances, flares and car convoys marking a long-awaited return to professional football.
Messages of solidarity from clubs
After the promotion, congratulations arrived from other clubs in the region. Süper Lig side Amedspor congratulated Bitlis Spor's board, staff, players and community on its official account, wishing them success in the 3rd League. Vanspor also saluted the achievement with a "Pîroz Be | Congratulations Bitlis Spor" message.
Why it matters
Bitlis Spor's rise is part of a growing picture on the map of Kurdish football. The momentum that began with Amedspor's promotion to the Süper Lig is widening with clubs like Vanspor and now Bitlis. The congratulatory and solidarity messages between these clubs reflect a shared sense of belonging beyond on-pitch rivalry.
Note: Match details and statements are based on publicly available news sources and clubs' official social media accounts. Amedspor News reports neutrally.