Tiberias Stadium Delays Frustrate Soccer Team, City Aims for January Opening

Construction on Tiberias's new 7,500-seat stadium, estimated to cost NIS 160 million, is facing significant delays, causing frustration for the local soccer club, Ironi Tiberias, which hopes to host league games this season. While city officials express cautious optimism and target a January opening, the club's owner fears they won't be able to play there this season.

The western section of the stadium is nearly complete, with changing rooms and broadcast booths ready. Work is currently focused on the eastern and northern stands, with structural work on the lower levels and plans for seating to follow. The stadium is slated to receive full roofing, a process expected to take four to six months.

Ironi Tiberias owner Arieh Kalmanzon expressed deep disappointment, stating, "I don't see the stadium becoming a stadium that hosts Premier League games this season. I hope I'm wrong, but based on what I see, this is not something that can host in 3-4 months." He added that the delays, promised since 2021, result in financial losses from lost subscriptions and sponsors.

City officials countered that the pace of work will increase, explaining that current phases require fewer workers due to safety concerns. They anticipate that once seating is installed, multiple trades can work simultaneously. The municipality aims for the team to move into the stadium around January, calling it the team's best potential "reinforcement" during the winter transfer window.

The club has been training at the existing stadium for nearly a year, and Kalmanzon emphasized the financial strain and the team's inability to operate under such conditions. The city urged the club to focus on football while engineers manage construction.