Israeli League Chief Says Only Healthy Clubs Will Be Allowed to Compete

The 2026/27 seasons in Israel’s Premier League and National League began on Wednesday with the schedule draw, and after it the league chairman, Erez Kalfon, held a press conference on the major issues ahead of kickoff.

Kalfon said the management team is working “day and night” to fit the fixtures because of a shortage of stadiums. He said the new stadiums in Tiberias and Ashdod will not be ready at the start of the season, since work was halted by the war, but he hopes they can be completed during the season and, if possible, by the end of 2026.

He also addressed the league’s new rule allowing clubs to register eight foreign players. “It is still impossible to judge,” he said, arguing that the war made it hard to bring in strong foreigners. He noted that no club used all eight slots last season and said the reform should bear fruit in two or three years. “The best player plays. There are excellent Israelis and foreigners,” he said.

On club licensing, Kalfon warned that teams failing the criteria will not be allowed into the professional leagues. He said clubs must play in their home city and stadium, meet a minimum budget, and invest in youth academies. The Premier League minimum budget has risen to 18 million shekels, and the National League minimum to 5 million.

He also said Beitar Jerusalem cannot use Bloomfield Stadium on days when Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv are in Europe and need to play on Sunday or Monday. He added that “the Maccabia” will hurt Beitar and Hapoel Jerusalem, with Sami Ofer and Turner as possible alternatives. Kalfon concluded that many clubs already have full stadiums, called last season’s playoff the most exciting ever, and said he hopes the war will be behind Israel so football can keep improving.