Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club Kicks Off New Season

Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball club held a press conference on September 15, 2026, to mark the upcoming 2026-27 season. Club Chairman Shimon Mizrahi highlighted the team's recent domestic championship and cup wins as "bread and butter" achievements. He also discussed ongoing efforts to bring EuroLeague games back to Israel, noting the current security situation and the return of flights as positive factors. Mizrahi mentioned that the club has appealed to the EuroLeague, supported by letters from the President, Sports Minister, and Police Commissioner, and is awaiting a meeting with the EuroLeague chairman.

Professional Director Claudio Coldebella expressed optimism about the team's roster, calling it "amazing" and "long," while acknowledging the increasing strength of the Israeli league and other competitions. He emphasized the importance of experienced players and the club's tradition of competing at the highest levels, which makes integrating young players challenging.

Head Coach Oded Katash conveyed excitement for the new season, thanking the management for their efforts in building the team amidst a difficult player market. He acknowledged the challenge of playing away from home for an extended period and stressed the importance of team unity and fan support. Katash identified defensive improvement and athleticism as key areas for enhancement, aiming for the team to become a much better defensive unit. He stated that realistically, reaching the playoffs or play-in tournament would be a "great achievement" given the circumstances.

Club CEO Avi Ben Tal reported that season ticket sales have surpassed 9,250, nearing a sell-out, demonstrating strong fan confidence. He also mentioned upgrades to the game-day experience and that the club has cleared all COVID-19 related obligations to fans, starting the season with a "clean slate."