[2] Founded by railway workers of Turkish State Railways (TCDD) in 1940, The football team's success at the Adana League and the water polo team's unbeaten National League titles in the club's first three decades built a large worker fan base in the city.

After 2 years' preparation, Region Chief Eşref Demirağ, Vasfı Ramzan, Hasan Silah, Hikmet Tezel, Feridun Kuzeybay, Seha Keyder, Emin Ersan, Esat Gürkan, Kenan Gülgün and 500 TCDD employees founded the club on 28 December 1940.

ADS swimmer Erdal Acet broke the record of swimming La Manche in 9 hours 12 minutes on 1 September 1976.

With Ercan Albay's leadership, Adana Demirspor had a good start to the Group 3 of the new league's 2001–02 season and finished fourth at the first half-season.

After defeating Şanlıurfaspor at the quarter-finals and Türk Telekom at the semi-finals, ADS played the final game in Denizli against Karşıyaka.

Adana Demirspor defeated Karşıyaka with a fine golden goal from Taner Demirbaş at the extra-time and returned to Second Tier (then 2.Lig Category A) after three years.

At the 2003–04 season, Adana Demirspor did not perform well, sacked Ercan Albay after 4 years of service, though still faced relegation to Third Tier with 1 point short of Mersin İdman Yurdu.

At the play-off stage, ADS reached the final again, this time losing 1–0 to Güngören Belediyespor with a last minute goal.

[10][19] After poor results at the first five week of the 2012-13 season, ADS' seventh spell of the Second Tier, Adana Demirspor hired Mustafa Uğur as the new coach.

At the end of the season, Selahattin Aydoğdu was elected the president and ADS formed a brand new team with many loaned young players.

During this season, the club was heavily in debt due to corruption, got a (-3) point fine and banned from transferring new players for the first time in the history.

Then Adana MP Jülide Sarıeroğlu took responsibility with ongoing problems, solved the eviction issue as ADS signed a long-term lease agreement with Milli Emlak (National Property Foundation).

She also convinced the business giant Murat Sancak to become the new president of the club for better management and to recover from bans, fines and liens.

Adana Demirspor formed a brand new team within a short time by spending heavy, bringing world known players to Second Tier.

ADS collected 31 points in 11 games, finished the season 1st and promoted to the First Tier (Super Lig) after 26 years of absence.

ADS started the 2021-22 season, the sixth spell of First Tier, with contracting many talented players including Mario Balotelli who re-gained his form and success after many years.

Montella carried the team to a spectacular era, reaching to third spot many weeks of the second half-season and finishing 9th at the end of the season.

Adana Demirspor with Montella, reached its apex when the club finished 4th in the 2022–23 season and qualified for the European competitions for the first time in the history.

Despite the initial announcement that Damla would remain in his role,[22] Hikmet Karaman was appointed as coach on 18 January 2024,[23] following a period of unsuccessful results.

Beside unpaid debts issue, Murat Sancak received consecutive penalties due to his harsh statements[24] about the Federation and referees during the season.

In particular, following the 1-6 home defeat to Gaziantep FK in the 36th week, Sancak had been engaged in a dispute with the fans who making declarations against him and the future of the team.

Michael Valkanis was hired as coach and the team began competing with a limited squad comprising primarily youth and loan players from previous seasons.

It was named the Aytaç Durak Tesisleri to honour the long-time serving mayor of Adana, who lead the construction of the training ground.

As it was built on a state land without a tenancy agreement, Milli Emlak (en:National Property Foundation) sent an eviction notice several times in the late 2010s.

UEFA Europa Conference League UEFA ranking history: League Spots Atatürk Swimming Complex, the largest swimming pool of the time, had opened in Adana in 1938 with the efforts of the Adana Mayor Turhan Cemal Beriker and the Regional Sports Director Rıza Salih Saray.

Adana Demir had joined the Turkish Water polo League in 1942, playing their home games at the new complex.

Erdal Acet broke the record of swimming Canal La Manche (English Channel) in 9 hours and 2 minutes in 1976.

Adana Demirspor have won the Anatolian Cup title at 1969–1970 season and were promoted to the Turkish Basketball First League.

After an idling period that lasted until 1980, with the re-organizing efforts of Regional Athletics Coach, Hasan Tekin, the club won titles in the next five years.

Muharrem Gülergin (nickname is Fofo) is the most well-known and reputable name of the club, who performed in different branches such as football, athleticism, water polo, as well as being a manager and coach in later years.