Besiktas JK Crest History
The crest of Beşiktaş JK is one of the oldest and most iconic symbols in Turkish football. Throughout more than a century of history, the club has retained its famous black-and-white colours while gradually refining its badge into the instantly recognisable shield used today. The evolution of the crest reflects both Beşiktaş' rich heritage and the development of Turkish football itself.
The club's earliest crest, used between 1903 and 1930, featured a circular badge with Ottoman script surrounding a black-and-white shield. Following the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, the Turkish flag was incorporated into the design, symbolising the club's close relationship with the nation's sporting history.
During the 1930s and 1940s, Beşiktaş experimented with several shield-shaped designs, introducing the iconic red crescent and star at the centre of the badge while maintaining the club's traditional black-and-white vertical stripes. The initials evolved from BGK (Beşiktaş Jimnastik Kulübü) to the now familiar BJK, while the founding year 1903 became a permanent feature.
From the 1960s onwards, the crest was gradually standardised into the classic shield recognised around the world today. The black-and-white stripes, the Turkish crescent and star, the initials BJK, and the founding year 1903 were arranged into a clean, balanced design that has become one of the most enduring identities in Turkish sport.
In 2000, three black stars were added above the crest after Beşiktaş reached 15 Turkish league championships, in accordance with the Turkish Football Federation's tradition of awarding one star for every five league titles. The stars remain an important symbol of the club's domestic success.
To celebrate the club's 110th anniversary in 2013, a special commemorative crest featuring the classic badge and anniversary ribbon was introduced for the season. In 2025, Beşiktaş also unveiled a commemorative emblem featuring the club's famous Black Eagle, celebrating another milestone in its long and distinguished history.
Besiktas JK Club History
Founded in 1903, Beşiktaş Jimnastik Kulübü (Beşiktaş JK) is the oldest registered sports club in Turkey and one of the country's most successful football institutions. Established in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, the club originally focused on gymnastics before football became its flagship sport. Wearing its famous black and white colours, Beşiktaş is affectionately known as "Kara Kartallar" (The Black Eagles), a nickname inspired by the club's passionate supporters and fearless style of play.
Football officially became part of the club in 1911, and Beşiktaş quickly established itself as one of the leading teams in Istanbul. Before the creation of a national league, the club won numerous Istanbul Football League championships and became one of the dominant forces in Turkish football.
Following the establishment of the Turkish Süper Lig in 1959, Beşiktaş became one of the country's "Big Three" clubs alongside Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe. The club has won numerous Turkish league championships, Turkish Cups, and Turkish Super Cups, consistently competing for domestic honours and representing Turkey in European competitions.
One of the most significant moments in the club's history came during the 1991–92 season under legendary English manager Gordon Milne, when Beşiktaş became the first and only club to complete an unbeaten Turkish league season, winning the championship without suffering a single defeat. This remarkable achievement remains one of the greatest records in Turkish football history.
Beşiktaş has also enjoyed memorable campaigns in European competitions. The club has regularly competed in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, Europa League, and Europa Conference League, recording famous victories against some of Europe's biggest clubs. The 2017–18 Champions League campaign was particularly historic, as Beşiktaş became the first Turkish club to finish top of its Champions League group, advancing to the knockout stages unbeaten.
Throughout its history, Beşiktaş has been home to many legendary players, including Süleyman Seba, Metin Tekin, Rıza Çalımbay, Sergen Yalçın, Ricardo Quaresma, Mario Gómez, Demba Ba, and Vincent Aboubakar. The club has also been guided by iconic managers such as Gordon Milne, Mircea Lucescu, Şenol Güneş, and Sergen Yalçın, who delivered the 2020–21 Süper Lig and Turkish Cup double.
The club plays its home matches at the modern Tüpraş Stadium (formerly Vodafone Park), opened in 2016 on the site of the historic BJK İnönü Stadium overlooking the Bosphorus. Widely regarded as one of Europe's most atmospheric stadiums, it is home to the passionate Çarşı supporters' group, famous for its spectacular displays and unwavering loyalty.
Beşiktaş' greatest rivalries are with fellow Istanbul giants Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe. Matches against Galatasaray are known as the Istanbul Derby, while clashes with Fenerbahçe rank among the fiercest rivalries in Turkish football. Together, these fixtures are among the biggest and most watched matches in the country.
