Maccabi and Hapoel Tel Aviv Unite to Restore EuroLeague Games in Israel

As the 2026/2027 EuroLeague season approaches, Israeli basketball teams Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv are collaborating to bring EuroLeague games back to Israel. With the season starting in about six weeks, the ability to host games domestically is seen as crucial for the teams' success. Shimon Mizrahi, chairman of Maccabi, and Ofer Yanai, owner of Hapoel, have joined forces and separately engaged in talks with EuroLeague CEO Jordi Bertomeu to advocate for the return of games to Israel.

Following these discussions, Mizrahi and Yanai presented security guarantees to reassure the league about the safety of hosting matches in Israel. This joint effort has generated optimism that if the current security situation remains stable, EuroLeague games could resume in Israel by November. This move comes after the announcement that Dubai will host the season opener despite regional tensions, highlighting the importance of securing a similar arrangement for Israeli teams.

Bertomeu previously expressed a desire for all teams to play in front of their home crowds, emphasizing that decisions depend on government assessments and safety considerations. He stated, "We must protect the teams and fans. If it is deemed safe to come to Israel, then it will be safe." This rare cooperation between the leaders of the two rival clubs marks a significant step toward restoring EuroLeague basketball on Israeli soil.