Turkish amateur clubs boycott new football league over costs

Thirty-four amateur football clubs in Turkey have decided not to participate in the upcoming 2026-2027 season of the Professionalism Transition League (PGL). This decision follows the Turkish Football Federation's (TFF) restructuring of the Regional Amateur League into the new PGL format.

The boycott is driven by a severe economic crisis and rising operational costs. To join the league, clubs are required to pay a 250,000 TL non-refundable participation fee and provide a 750,000 TL security deposit via cash or bank guarantee. This creates a total immediate financial burden of 1 million TL per club.

Club representatives cited the inability to cover escalating expenses for licenses, transfers, accommodation, transportation, and equipment. They also noted that the financial support and travel subsidies provided by the TFF are insufficient to offset the costs of away matches. In addition to these fees, clubs must also provide documentation proving they have access to dedicated training and match facilities to be accepted into the league.