Israeli National Basketball League Shifts Games to Friday Afternoons

The Israeli National Basketball League is set to launch its new season on October 13, 2026, with a significant shift in its schedule and operational strategy aimed at increasing its appeal to families and developing young Israeli talent. In a major change, most league games will now be played on Friday afternoons instead of weekday evenings, a move intended to allow families to attend together and enjoy quality time. The marquee matchup of each week, broadcast on Sport 5, will continue to be held on Tuesdays, with Friday games being moved to Tuesdays during months when winter daylight hours are insufficient.

Further reforms focus on nurturing young Israeli players. While previously teams were required to have a player under 25 on the court at all times, the new rule mandates that each team must have five such players on its roster. To drive the league's growth and professionalize its management, an external board will be established to work alongside the existing league management. This board will comprise experienced professionals from the basketball, business, and marketing sectors, bringing a brand-oriented mindset to the league.

Additionally, marketing and digital engagement will now be integrated into the league's competitive structure. Teams will receive financial incentives based on home attendance and their performance on social media, including video promotion. The league will feature 15 teams this season, with three teams slated for relegation to the lower-tier National League at the end of the season to bring the league back to 14 teams. The promotion format remains the same: one team will be directly promoted to the Premier League, with the second promotion spot decided by playoffs.

Amos Frishman, Chairman of the Basketball Association, expressed strong belief in the reforms, highlighting the league's importance as a platform for Israeli players and its connection to local communities. Ron Vorotitzky, Chairman of the National League Winner management, also welcomed the changes, emphasizing the league's potential and future development plans, and called for increased fan attendance.