Starting Monday, students at Haliç University in Istanbul will gain access to the university’s newly operational indoor sports hall, a facility designed to support basketball, volleyball, futsal and other recreational activities across campus life.
The announcement, shared via the university’s official Instagram account, confirmed that reservation and registration procedures for the Haliç University Kapalı Spor Salonu (Indoor Sports Hall) will begin immediately under the oversight of the Directorate of Campus Life. The post, which featured visuals of the multi-purpose court marked for basketball and volleyball alongside futsal goals, emphasized the hall’s role in promoting physical wellness and student engagement.
According to the Directorate of Campus Life, the facility will operate on a structured usage schedule, requiring students to book time slots in advance through an online portal linked to the university’s student services platform. Access will be granted to all currently enrolled students upon presentation of a valid student ID, with priority given to academic classes and varsity training sessions during peak hours.
Verified through the university’s official website and social media channels, the indoor sports hall spans approximately 1,200 square meters and includes retractable seating for up to 300 spectators, climate control, and specialized flooring suitable for high-impact sports. The space is located within the main campus complex in the Eyüp district of Istanbul, near the Golden Horn (Haliç), from which the university derives its name.
This development marks a significant upgrade in recreational infrastructure for Haliç University, which serves over 15,000 students across undergraduate and graduate programs. Previously, indoor sports activities were limited to smaller gymnasiums or relied on external facilities, often creating scheduling conflicts and accessibility barriers.
The Directorate of Campus Life emphasized that the hall’s programming will balance academic needs with student wellness initiatives. “Our goal is to ensure equitable access although maintaining the integrity of both educational and extracurricular schedules,” a spokesperson stated in response to inquiries via the university’s official contact form. “Students can reserve slots for individual practice, team training, or organized intramural leagues, all managed through a centralized digital system.”
Basketball and volleyball courts will be marked according to FIBA and FIVB standards, respectively, while the futsal area will conform to UEFA-affiliated dimensions for small-sided play. Equipment such as portable nets, balls, and scorekeeping tools will be available for checkout at the facility’s equipment desk during operating hours.
Operating hours are set from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM local time (UTC+3) on weekdays, with reduced hours on weekends and holidays. Reservations will open 48 hours in advance, and each student group or individual is limited to two-hour blocks per day to ensure fair access. Cancellation policies require notice at least two hours prior to the reserved slot to avoid penalties.
The university has also announced plans to host inter-departmental tournaments beginning in November, featuring men’s and women’s divisions in basketball, volleyball, and futsal. Winners will receive certificates of achievement and eligibility to represent Haliç University in regional university sports leagues coordinated by the Turkish University Sports Federation.
For international students and faculty, the Directorate noted that English-language support will be available through the International Office liaison, and all reservation prompts and safety guidelines will be provided in both Turkish and English. The facility complies with national safety regulations, including emergency exits, fire suppression systems, and first-aid stations staffed by trained personnel during operating hours.
This initiative aligns with broader trends in Turkish higher education, where universities are increasingly investing in on-campus wellness infrastructure to support student mental health, social integration, and academic performance. Similar facilities have been launched recently at Boğaziçi University, Koç University, and Sabancı University, reflecting a national shift toward holistic campus development.
As of Friday afternoon, over 800 reservation requests had already been logged in the system since the announcement was posted, according to internal data shared by the Directorate of Campus Life with university administrators. Demand is highest for evening slots between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM, particularly for futsal and basketball.
The opening of the Haliç University Kapalı Spor Salonu represents more than just a new building — it signals a commitment to fostering an active, inclusive campus culture where students can thrive not only in the classroom but also in physical pursuits that build teamwork, discipline, and resilience.
Students interested in reserving time or learning more about intramural league sign-ups are encouraged to visit the Campus Life portal via the university’s main website or follow updates on the official Haliç University Instagram account (@halicuniversitesi).
The next checkpoint is the launch of the first official intramural league matches, scheduled to begin the week of November 11, 2024, with opening ceremonies planned for November 9. Updates on brackets, schedules, and registration deadlines will be released by the Directorate of Campus Life in the coming weeks.
Have you used the new sports hall or plan to reserve a slot? Share your experience in the comments below — and if this guide helped you navigate access, consider sharing it with fellow students looking to stay active on campus.
