How decisive is market value in derbies? A Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe starting XI analysis
Starting XIs in Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derbies are now worth nearly €400 million. In seven derbies, the more valuable side never lost, but did not always win.
In recent years, the rivalry between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe has also taken on a striking economic dimension, driven by the rising market values of the players taking the field. The star names and transfer investments both clubs have brought into their squads have pushed the combined value of the derby starting line-ups close to the €400 million mark. So how much of an advantage does a more valuable starting XI actually provide in the derby? The results of matches played in recent years show that a market value edge does not always bring victory, but that during the period examined, teams with the more valuable starting line-up did not suffer a defeat.
No winner in the most valuable derby
The most expensive match in Süper Lig history in terms of the combined market value of the starting XIs was played in Kadıköy in December 2025. The 22 players in the starting line-ups of Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray had a combined value of €394 million. Galatasaray accounted for €214 million of that figure and Fenerbahçe for €180 million. Despite Galatasaray's €34 million economic advantage, the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Second on the list is the derby played in April 2026, which pitted starting XIs worth a combined €374 million against each other. Galatasaray took the field with a starting line-up worth €217.5 million, while Fenerbahçe's starting XI was valued at €156.5 million. Galatasaray turned their market value advantage into victory, winning 3-0 in a match where the gap stood at €61 million.
A similar picture emerged in the match played in Kadıköy in September 2024. The visitors won 3-1 in a derby in which Galatasaray fielded a starting XI worth €200.9 million and Fenerbahçe one worth €121.2 million. Galatasaray thus came away with three points from a match in which they held a €79.7 million value advantage.
Even a €100 million gap did not bring victory
According to market value data, the team with the more valuable starting line-up won four of the seven Süper Lig derbies played since the 2022/23 season for which starting XI market values can be compared. The other three matches ended in draws. Galatasaray were the superior side in terms of market value in six of these matches, and Fenerbahçe in one. Galatasaray recorded three wins and Fenerbahçe one, while the two sides drew three times.
Among the seven matches examined, the largest market value gap between the two starting line-ups was recorded in the derby played in February 2025. Galatasaray's starting XI was worth €194.5 million, while Fenerbahçe's starting line-up stood at €93.85 million. Despite the €100.65 million difference, the match ended in a goalless draw.
The only match in which Fenerbahçe had the more valuable starting line-up was played in May 2024. Fenerbahçe competed with a starting XI worth €124.3 million, while Galatasaray's starting line-up was valued at €106 million. Fenerbahçe managed to win the derby 1-0 away from home, holding an €18.3 million advantage.
In the match played in Kadıköy in December 2023, Galatasaray's starting XI worth €127.7 million faced Fenerbahçe's worth €115.6 million. No goals were scored in the match, in which Galatasaray held a €12.1 million value advantage.
The economic value of the derby has nearly doubled
The increase in the market values of the starting line-ups both teams have fielded in recent years is also striking. In the derby played in June 2023, Galatasaray's starting XI was worth €117.9 million and Fenerbahçe's €88.2 million. Galatasaray won 3-0 in a match that brought together starting line-ups worth a combined €206.1 million.
Roughly two and a half years later, in the derby played in December 2025, the combined market value of the two starting XIs rose to €394 million. This represented an increase of €187.9 million, or approximately 91.2%, between the two matches.
More valuable starting XIs went unbeaten
The comparison shows that the starting line-ups with the higher market value won four of the seven derbies examined. In the other three matches, neither side could break the deadlock. In a period in which the starting XIs with the lower market value failed to record a single win, the economically superior teams posted a win rate of 57.1%.
Starting XI market values in the derbies
- June 2023 | Galatasaray 3-0 Fenerbahçe — Galatasaray: €117.9 million, Fenerbahçe: €88.2 million
- December 2023 | Fenerbahçe 0-0 Galatasaray — Fenerbahçe: €115.6 million, Galatasaray: €127.7 million
- May 2024 | Galatasaray 0-1 Fenerbahçe — Galatasaray: €106 million, Fenerbahçe: €124.3 million
- September 2024 | Fenerbahçe 1-3 Galatasaray — Fenerbahçe: €121.2 million, Galatasaray: €200.9 million
- February 2025 | Galatasaray 0-0 Fenerbahçe — Galatasaray: €194.5 million, Fenerbahçe: €93.85 million
- December 2025 | Fenerbahçe 1-1 Galatasaray — Fenerbahçe: €180 million, Galatasaray: €214 million
- April 2026 | Galatasaray 3-0 Fenerbahçe — Galatasaray: €217.5 million, Fenerbahçe: €156.5 million