Stadium Shortages Cause Israeli Soccer League's Break to Double
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
The Israeli Premier League's season is interrupted by a 19-day break for stadium reseeding, nearly twice as long as European leagues' pauses. This extended hiatus is caused by the need to switch between summer and winter grass types due to Israel's climate and a shortage of available stadiums. Many venues host multiple teams, preventing easy relocation for reseeding. While solutions exist elsewhere, they are often too expensive for Israeli clubs, leaving fans to wait for the league's resumption.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli soccer league faces a 19-day break for stadium reseeding, double European league pauses.
- The extended break is due to reseeding, a process necessary for Israel's Mediterranean climate.
- A shortage of stadiums, with many hosting multiple teams, exacerbates the problem.
- Teams cannot easily relocate during reseeding due to stadium overcrowding.
- Expensive turf replacement solutions used in Europe are not feasible for Israeli clubs.
The Israeli Premier League is facing an extended 19-day break, nearly double the duration of similar pauses in top European leagues. While European teams will resume play after only a few days, Israeli clubs will not return to action until November 27th. This extended hiatus is primarily due to a process called "reseeding" (shizrua in Hebrew), a method of planting new grass within an existing lawn to revitalize it.
In Israel, football clubs typically reseeds their pitches twice a year, in November and March. This process is necessary because of the country's unique Mediterranean climate, which requires different types of grass for summer and winter. Unlike the more consistently cool weather in Europe, Israel's climate necessitates a switch between summer and winter turf, with reseeding taking about three weeks and requiring the grass to rest. The professional reason is tied to the specific climate, requiring two different playing surfaces that necessitate adaptation, hence the league's stoppage.
This extended break is exacerbated by a lack of available stadiums. Many stadiums host multiple teams, creating a domino effect that makes it difficult to schedule reseeding and allow the grass adequate rest. For example, Netanya Stadium currently hosts Maccabi Netanya and Hapoel Hadera, while Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem is shared by Beitar and Hapoel Jerusalem. This overcrowding prevents teams from easily relocating to alternative venues during the reseeding period, a practice seen in countries like Cyprus where teams might move for one or two matches.
Globally, solutions vary. Some leagues, particularly in Northern Europe, have month-long winter breaks partly for pitch maintenance. Spain's Almeria, for instance, strategically scheduled reseeding during consecutive away games. More expensive solutions, like the full turf replacement with artificial fibers at Milan's San Siro stadium costing 500,000 euros, are beyond the financial reach of most Israeli clubs. While new stadiums are being built, they are not expected to alleviate the current pressure soon, leaving Israeli football to endure these prolonged breaks.
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