Maccabi Tel Aviv Nears Deal to Move EuroLeague Games to Cyprus

Maccabi Tel Aviv is reportedly making significant progress in its efforts to relocate its home EuroLeague basketball games from Belgrade to Cyprus. Club officials visited the neighboring island recently and held meetings, including with local government representatives, to advance the plan.

The team has been seeking to bring its home games back to Israel, but a planned visit by senior EuroLeague officials to assess the security situation has been repeatedly delayed. Initially expected in the two weeks following September 19, the visit by EuroLeague CEO and Competition Manager Diego Gian has not yet occurred, with the Sukkot holiday and recent security events cited as contributing factors.

EuroLeague management is currently focused on upcoming meetings in Italy, where club shareholders will discuss a potential move to a franchise model and expansion of the league. A key meeting on Tuesday is expected to decide on eight clubs that will receive franchise contracts for the next season, with Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem also being considered. Franchise contracts are estimated to cost between 50 and 90 million euros.

Despite the delays in the security assessment visit, Maccabi Tel Aviv is actively pursuing the Cyprus relocation as an interim solution, indicating a growing likelihood of the move.