Hapoel Jerusalem Draws Challenging EuroCup Group and Launches New Family Season Ticket Model

Hapoel Jerusalem learned its opponents for the 2026/27 EuroCup regular season in a draw held on Wednesday. The Israeli team, seeded in the second tier, was placed in Group 1 alongside notable clubs including Greek side Aris Thessaloniki, coached by EuroLeague legend Vassilis Spanoulis. Jerusalem will also face French team Le Mans, featuring former favorite Tayshaun Thomas, as well as Spanish club Burgos, Slovenian Cedevita Ljubljana, Italian Derthona, German Rostock, and Latvian Riga.

This season introduces a significant format change in the EuroCup. The 32 teams are divided into four groups of eight, with 16 advancing to knockout stages. Unlike previous years, playoff rounds from the round of 16 through the finals will be decided in best-of-three series rather than single games, favoring deeper and higher-quality squads.

In parallel, Hapoel Jerusalem officially opened season ticket sales for 2026/27, unveiling a new subscription model focused on families and veteran fans. For the first time, children under 10 will receive free season tickets to encourage youth attendance. The model categorizes fans into four tiers with benefits based on loyalty.

Separately, the FIBA Basketball Champions League draw took place, featuring Israeli teams Hapoel Holon and Bnei Herzliya. Holon, seeded first, was drawn into Group F with French club Cholet, Serbian Spartak Subotica, and a qualifier. Herzliya was placed in Group H with Germany’s Bonn, Spain’s Badalona, and Portugal’s Porto. Group winners advance directly to the Top 16, while second and third places enter a best-of-three playoff.

Holon also announced the signing of guard Rivaldo Soares (26, 1.98m) from Poland’s Dziki Warszawa on a one-year contract with an option for a second. Soares averaged 11.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists last season and previously played in Germany and U.S. college basketball. Holon’s sporting director Daniel Ravitz praised Soares for his versatility, defensive intensity, and athleticism, expecting him to continue his upward trajectory in Israel.