Hapoel Be'er Sheva Secures Immediate Multi-Million Euro Payment After European Qualification

Hapoel Be'er Sheva guaranteed participation in a European league stage on August 26, 2026, after defeating Vikingur 2-0, ensuring at least a spot in the UEFA Conference League group stage. This achievement secures the club a minimum payment of 3.17 million euros, with 3.05 million euros paid upfront as an advance and an additional 120,000 euros to follow later, according to UEFA regulations. The full payment typically occurs between the end of the European qualifying rounds on August 27 and the start of the competition.

If Be'er Sheva advances to the Europa League, the club stands to receive a grant of 4.31 million euros, including 4.14 million euros upfront, similar to the amount Maccabi Tel Aviv received last year. Qualification for the Champions League would yield the highest-ever payment for an Israeli club, totaling 17.87 million euros plus 750,000 euros later. These sums cover only the qualification itself; additional bonuses are awarded for wins and draws in each competition, with the Conference League offering 400,000 euros per win and 133,000 euros per draw over six group matches.

The club also benefits from bonus payments based on its European coefficient points. Even in a scenario where Be'er Sheva loses to Red Star Belgrade, falls in the Europa League playoff, and competes in the Conference League, the total revenue could reach approximately 4.47 million euros before any sporting achievements in the Conference League. The transfer window for the Israeli Premier League closes on September 16, and the club aims to sign two foreign players, including a defender and a potential attacking midfielder to replace Kings Kangwa, who is transferring to Panathinaikos for 4 million euros plus bonuses.

Coach Ran Kozuch acknowledged the need for improvements and emphasized the club's ambition to elevate its status, stating, "There are many things to change and improve, many beyond our control. We are working hard. We want Be'er Sheva to be a good team and it will be. There is pressure to take the club to the next level, which we have discussed over the past two years."