Maccabi Tel Aviv Begins New Era Hosting EuroLeague Games in Cyprus
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Maccabi Tel Aviv is set to host its first EuroLeague game in Cyprus at the renovated Spyros Kyprianou Arena, aiming to save significant travel time and distance. The move is expected to reduce flight hours by 75 and kilometers by 47,000, an 82% saving. Security measures will limit attendance to 3,000 Maccabi fans and 1,500 local spectators, a decision facing criticism in Cyprus. The club is also working on a return to playing games in Israel.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Maccabi Tel Aviv will host its first EuroLeague game in Cyprus on Thursday.
- The move to Cyprus aims to save approximately 75 flight hours and 47,000 kilometers.
- The Spyros Kyprianou Arena was renovated for EuroBasket 2025 at a cost of 14.5 million euros.
- Attendance will be capped at 3,000 Maccabi fans and 1,500 local spectators due to security.
- The club is working towards returning games to Israel in the future.
Maccabi Tel Aviv will host its first EuroLeague game in Cyprus on Thursday at the Spyros Kyprianou Arena, marking a significant shift for the club. This arena, named after the late second president of Cyprus, previously hosted games for EuroBasket 2025, including matches involving Greece, Italy, Spain, Bosnia, and Georgia. The venue underwent extensive renovations for the European championship, with a cumulative investment of 14.5 million euros, and set a record for basketball attendance during the recent European championship in a game between Greece and Spain.
The decision to move home games to Cyprus stems from a desire to save on travel time and distance. With 15 remaining home games in the EuroLeague season, the club anticipates saving approximately 75 flight hours and over 47,000 kilometers, an estimated 82% reduction in air travel distance. This move also aims to allow more fans to attend games.
The Spyros Kyprianou Arena, currently used primarily for volleyball and women's basketball, was upgraded to accommodate 8,000 spectators for the European championship. For Maccabi Tel Aviv's games, security considerations will limit attendance to 3,000 club fans and 1,500 local spectators, a decision that has drawn criticism in Cyprus. The club is reportedly working towards returning games to Israel, but the Cyprus venue offers a solution for reducing travel burdens and increasing fan accessibility.
The upcoming derby match against Hapoel Tel Aviv is expected to draw between 1,500 and 2,000 fans. Notably, Kamar Baldwin, who played for Georgia as a naturalized player under coach Aleksandar Džikić during EuroBasket 2025, was among the standout players in the arena.
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