Amedspor is a football club based in Diyarbakır, Turkey, widely supported by Kurds for its embrace of Kurdish identity. Founded in 1972, the club took the name "Amed" — the Kurdish name for Diyarbakır — in 2014. In May 2026 it earned promotion to the Süper Lig, Turkey's top flight, for the first time in its history.
Key facts
- Full name
- Amed Sportif Faaliyetler Kulübü (Amed S.F.K.)
- City
- Diyarbakır (Kurdish: Amed)
- Founded
- 1972 (as Melikahmet Turanspor)
- Adopted name 'Amed'
- 2014
- League
- Süper Lig (from the 2026–27 season)
- Stadium
- Diyarbakır Stadium (capacity ~33,000)
The name: why "Amed"
The club's identity is built into its name. "Amed" is the Kurdish name for the city of Diyarbakır, a historic and culturally significant designation used widely by Kurds. When the club adopted the name Amedspor in 2014, it was openly declaring a Kurdish identity. The Turkish Football Federation initially fined the club and resisted the name, before accepting the registration as Amed Sportif Faaliyetler Kulübü.
From amateur football to the Süper Lig
Founded in 1972 as Melikahmet Turanspor, the club spent decades in the lower and amateur leagues. It climbed steadily through the 2020s: champions of the TFF Second League Red Group in 2023–24, then a strong run in the TFF First League. On 2 May 2026, a 3–3 draw with Iğdır FK secured a second-place finish and automatic promotion to the Süper Lig — the top tier of Turkish football — for the first time in the club's history.
"The unofficial Kurdish national team"
For many Kurds, Amedspor is far more than a football club. Commentators have described it as an "unofficial Kurdish national team," and writer Ali Fikri Işık has compared the bond between the club and its supporters to the relationship between FC Barcelona and Catalans in Spain. With a fan base reported in the millions across Turkey and the diaspora, an Amedspor win is felt as a collective Kurdish victory.
A history marked by pressure
That visibility has come at a cost. The club has faced repeated fines, stadium bans, and racist abuse during away fixtures because of its Kurdish identity. In an interview with the German newspaper Die Zeit, the club said it faced difficulties due to being perceived by the authorities as a symbol of Kurdish identity. Despite this, its rise to the Süper Lig has made it one of the most closely followed stories in Kurdish football.
Frequently asked questions
What is Amedspor?
A football club from Diyarbakır (Amed) in Turkey, founded in 1972 and widely supported by Kurds for its embrace of Kurdish identity. It was promoted to the Süper Lig for the 2026–27 season.
Why is Amedspor called Amed?
'Amed' is the Kurdish name for Diyarbakır. The club adopted it in 2014 to reflect its Kurdish identity.
Is Amedspor a Kurdish club?
Officially it is a professional club in the Turkish football system, but because of its name, supporter base and ties to Diyarbakır, it is strongly identified with Kurdish culture.
What league does Amedspor play in?
From the 2026–27 season, Amedspor plays in the Süper Lig, the top division of Turkish football, after promotion in May 2026.