Kiryat Shmona Stadium Nears Return After Renovations

The return of the Kiryat Shmona soccer team to its home stadium is approaching, with an estimated reopening in late January or early February 2027. The team is expected to resume training in the city around that time, following winter overseeding of the pitch. The stadium's renovation plans were presented to the team's fan organization during a tour that included the mayor, the stadium's project manager, the stadium director, and other municipal representatives. The fan organization was briefed on the five-stage renovation process, which includes replacing seats with folding ones, removing iron fences and replacing them with glass, and adjusting the pitch to improve viewing angles. Additionally, access routes have been improved, LED lighting installed, and future plans include smart turnstiles with barcode scanners and display screens. A proposal to expand the stadium to 10,000 seats has already received approval and funding. The fan organization stated its willingness to wait longer for a fully renovated stadium rather than a "patchwork" facility, emphasizing that a prompt completion is in everyone's interest to secure government funding. The club's return to training in the city is anticipated within the next month, with the first match to be played once the stadium is fully operational.