Full Breakdown
EuroLeague Games Expected to Return to Israel
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Core Event
Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv have begun their EuroLeague seasons, while Hapoel Jerusalem will join the EuroCup next week. All three Israeli clubs are currently hosting their European fixtures abroad. Following a meeting in Abu Dhabi between Maccabi Tel Aviv chairman Shimon Mizrahi, sporting director Claudio Coldebella, and senior EuroLeague officials, EuroLeague chief executive Chus Bueno and senior director of corporate competitions Diego Guillen are scheduled to travel to Israel within the next two weeks to discuss the possibility of bringing games back to the country. Mizrahi plans to raise the issue again at the EuroLeague owners’ meeting slated for the second week of October in Lake Como, Italy.
Background and Context
Since the start of the current season, security concerns have forced Israeli teams to relocate their EuroLeague and EuroCup home games to neutral venues abroad. The relocation has placed logistical and financial strain on the clubs and limited local fan engagement. The recent Super Cup tournament in Abu Dhabi provided an opportunity for Israeli club leadership to engage directly with EuroLeague executives and seek a pathway back to domestic venues.
Official Statements and Responses
EuroLeague officials have not committed to a timeline but have signaled willingness to assess the request during the forthcoming owners’ meeting. Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem officials echoed the clubs’ desire for a return, while also acknowledging that any decision will hinge on broader geopolitical conditions.
Potential Impact
If games resume in Israel, clubs could regain lost revenue from ticket sales and restore fan participation, strengthening the domestic basketball market. Conversely, a delay or denial could prolong the financial and competitive disadvantages imposed by playing abroad, and maintain the current uncertainty surrounding the clubs’ home-court advantage.