EuroLeague Executives to Visit Israel Amid Hopes for League Games to Return

Officials from Maccabi Tel Aviv are expressing cautious optimism regarding the potential return of EuroLeague games to Israel, following confirmation that EuroLeague executives will visit the country next week. Initially, there was uncertainty about the visit due to previous postponements, but Maccabi Tel Aviv Chairman Shimon Mizrahi spoke with EuroLeague CEO and Competition Manager Diego Gian, who confirmed their attendance.

Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem are collaborating to lobby EuroLeague leadership for the resumption of their home games in Israel this season. The upcoming visit offers the Israeli clubs a reason for hope, as they maintain strong working relationships with the league's management.

Sources within both clubs are optimistic that the combined pressure and cooperative efforts will lead to the return of EuroLeague matches to Israel. Concurrently, the two teams are also arranging to play their home games in Cyprus, viewing this as a temporary measure.

The EuroLeague is approaching a critical decision point that could significantly impact European basketball, including its Israeli contingent. A meeting of league shareholders in Como, Italy, is scheduled to discuss expanding the competition to 24 teams starting in the 2027-28 season. It is anticipated that eight clubs will be granted permanent "franchise" status in the near future, with three potentially receiving this designation as early as this week.