EXPLORING THE INTERSECTION OF GENDER AND CLASS IN SPACE: The Case of New Generation Stadiums in Turkey

Abstract

As in numerous countries globally, stadiums in Turkey have witnessed notable transformations in recent years. Being categorized as third generation or gentrified today, it is essential to examine their social and cultural aspects to understand that change. This paper aims to critically examine class and gender encounters in current stadiums in Turkey as a space with a particular focus on Beşiktaş Stadium. We employed participant observations on match days in and around the stadium and conducted informal interviews with fans during these observations. Consequently, the football stadium, a symbol of passion for the sport, has undergone gentrification, altering its class dynamics and making it harder for working-class men to access. However, despite efforts to cater to the middle and upper classes with increased comfort and security, the stadium still retains a heterogeneous class identity, as men from various backgrounds strive to participate in the ritual of fandom, manifesting collective memories and emotions amidst ongoing tensions and occasional unruly behavior. © 2025 selection and editorial matter, Simon Chadwick, Paul Widdop and Michael M. Goldman; individual chapters, the contributors.