EuroLeague Hosts Supercup in Dubai Amid Israeli Teams' Home Game Restrictions
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
The EuroLeague will hold its Supercup in Abu Dhabi in September, featuring top European teams and the Dubai host team, while Israeli clubs continue to play home games abroad due to security concerns amid ongoing regional tensions.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- EuroLeague schedules Supercup in Abu Dhabi with top European teams and Dubai host.
- Israeli teams barred from hosting home games due to security risks from Iran conflict.
- Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv pressured league to return games to Israel without success.
- Israeli teams will start season playing home games in Belgrade and Sofia.
- Decision criticized given higher missile attacks on UAE compared to Israel since April.
- Maccabi Tel Aviv sponsor questions EuroLeague's choice amid safety disparities.
The EuroLeague announced that the Supercup tournament will be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on September 18-19, featuring three of last season's Final Four teams: Fenerbahce, Olympiacos, and Real Madrid, along with the host team from Dubai. This marks the first time the competition is held in the UAE, aligning with ongoing plans to host EuroLeague home games there. Meanwhile, Israeli teams will continue to play their home games abroad due to security concerns.
Since the resumption of conflict with Iran in late February, no EuroLeague games have been held in Israel. Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv have pressured league officials to allow games back in Israel but have so far been unsuccessful. Consequently, Maccabi Tel Aviv will open its season in Belgrade, Hapoel Tel Aviv in Sofia, and Hapoel Jerusalem will also host games in Belgrade.
The decision to hold the Supercup in the UAE is controversial given recent security incidents. Although a ceasefire was reached in April, Iranian missile attacks have continued in the Emirates, while Israel has experienced only one incident since June. Eric Stillman, Maccabi Tel Aviv's main sponsor, criticized the EuroLeague's choice, highlighting that Israel faced approximately 650 missile attacks with protective measures, whereas the UAE was targeted by around 1,700 missiles in 2026 without adequate shelters or warning times. He questioned why the Supercup is hosted in a country under heavier attack while Israel remains sidelined.
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