Antalyaspor was established in 1966 when three local teams (Yenikapı SuSpor, İlk Işıkspor and Ferrokromspor) united to establish a club for the coastal city of Antalya. The club competed in the lower divisions of the Turkish football league system before promotion to the Süper Lig in 1982–83. Their first stint of top-flight football lasted for two years, and they were relegated to the TFF First League at the end of the 1984–85 season. Though promoted to the next season they were relegated again. They competed in the TFF First League until the end of the 1993–94 season, when they beat İstanbulspor 3–2 in the final playoffs. Their longest stint of top-flight football lasted until 2001–02.