Hapoel Kiryat Shmona Set to Return Home After Stadium Repairs

Hapoel Kiryat Shmona is nearing the end of its extended period of playing and training away from its home city, with plans for the team to return to its municipal stadium. The northern club has been forced to play "home" games in Netanya for four consecutive seasons, most recently losing 3-1 to Hapoel Tel Aviv after the international break. The stadium sustained damage from Hezbollah rocket fire during the "Swords of Iron" war, necessitating extensive repairs.

Club officials are working closely with the municipality and project managers on the stadium's rehabilitation. Current estimates suggest the team could resume training at the home stadium by mid-November. The ultimate goal is for Hapoel Kiryat Shmona to host league matches in its own city by the end of January. The repairs have included thorough work on locker rooms, offices, and technical areas in the significantly damaged western stand, as well as renovations to the eastern stand, new seating imported from abroad, and a new grass pitch.

Club representatives expressed excitement about the impending return, stating, "Our home is our strength. The players and staff are eagerly awaiting the return to the city and to hosting in Kiryat Shmona, as it was in the past." Upon their return, both foreign and Israeli players will relocate to Kiryat Shmona. The last home game played in the city before October 7, 2023, was prior to that date. Since then, the team has been displaced, training in central Israel and playing matches in Netanya.

If all proceeds as scheduled, Hapoel Kiryat Shmona could potentially play its first home game back at the municipal stadium against Beitar Jerusalem on February 6, 2027, during the 23rd league round. Before that, in January, the team is slated to host Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Maccabi Netanya.