Water Shortage at Israeli Super Cup Spurs New Premier League Guidelines

During the recent Israeli Super Cup match at Turner Stadium between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Be'er Sheva, fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv protested a severe shortage of drinking water amid intense heat. Temperatures reached 30 degrees Celsius with 52% humidity, and water supplies at stadium kiosks ran out before kickoff. Additionally, malfunctioning cooling devices failed to provide relief, leaving thousands of spectators without access to basic hydration.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters' group "Brothers for the Emblem" issued a strong statement condemning the situation. In response, the Israeli Premier League management sent an urgent letter to all club CEOs ahead of the upcoming Toto Cup matches, emphasizing the need for thorough preparation to ensure sufficient water availability and functioning cooling equipment at stadiums. The letter, signed by acting CEO Nir Yankelvitz, highlighted the importance of safeguarding fan health during hot weather.

The league also instructed clubs to coordinate with stadium managers to guarantee adequate water supplies and to verify the cleanliness and readiness of facilities, including restrooms and seating areas, ahead of the new season following the break. This directive aims to prevent a recurrence of the water shortage incident and improve overall fan conditions at matches.

Maccabi Tel Aviv won the Super Cup match 3-1 against Hapoel Be'er Sheva on July 16, 2026, but the water shortage overshadowed the event and prompted the league's swift action.