Hapoel Be'er Sheva Secures €8.6 Million Despite Champions League Playoff Exit

Hapoel Be'er Sheva fell short in their Champions League playoff match against Sabah on August 25, 2026, and will not participate in the Champions League group stage. However, the club has secured a substantial financial reward of €8.6 million by reaching the playoff round, one of the highest sums ever earned by an Israeli team in European competitions. This amount includes payments for qualifying for the playoff and guaranteed participation in the Europa League group stage.

The €8.6 million will be paid in two installments of €4.29 million and €4.14 million, plus an advance of €170,000. Additionally, based on Be'er Sheva's European coefficient, the club is expected to receive around €240,000 more, though the final figure will be confirmed after upcoming matches on Thursday and could be lower. Sporting achievements in the Europa League group stage could further increase earnings, with €450,000 awarded per win and €150,000 per draw. Advancing to the round of 16 would bring an extra €1.75 million, while qualifying for the playoff round yields €300,000.

Currently, Be'er Sheva's squad includes six foreign players, with potential changes expected if a higher-profile foreign player joins. The club is actively seeking to sign a foreign center-back and an attacking midfielder to replace Kings Kangwa before the European registration deadline on September 2. Israeli player Basem Zaaroura is also among those considered.

The club's total earnings could surpass €10 million depending on sporting success and European ranking bonuses. Hosting matches in Romania against prominent teams like Juventus, AC Milan, Real Sociedad, or Marseille could also generate significant additional revenue. These developments come under the ownership of Alona Barkat, highlighting the club's growing stature in European football.