Hapoel Kiryat Shmona Faces Fourth Season Away From Home Stadium Amid Ongoing Repairs

Hapoel Kiryat Shmona is starting its fourth consecutive season playing away from its home stadium due to extensive damage sustained during rocket attacks in 2024. Despite preparing for the new season and hosting Maccabi Haifa in the Toto Cup on July 28, the club continues to train and host home games far from northern Israel, primarily at facilities in Netanya and Shefayim. The municipal stadium in Kiryat Shmona suffered severe damage, including to the western stand and locker rooms, requiring comprehensive renovations that are still underway.

The stadium, originally built in the 1980s, is undergoing not only repairs but also a full upgrade to meet current standards. Project manager Shaul Goldstein explained that after initial local repairs were nearly completed in February 2026, renewed conflict with Iran delayed the club’s return. The renovation budget is tight, with only 4 million shekels received from the state, while the cost of repairing just the western stand’s waterproofing exceeded 5 million shekels. The municipality has invested heavily despite not being obligated to fund the repairs.

Renovations include replacing the pitch, which is expected to be ready by mid-August, installing new seats, upgrading restrooms, and constructing a new locker room to facilitate the team’s eventual return. The club hopes to resume training at the home stadium within two to three months, weather permitting. Meanwhile, the prolonged displacement imposes significant financial and logistical burdens on the club.

Despite these challenges, coach Shai Berda emphasized that the team’s recent success is not a "war story" but a testament to a young squad playing exciting, attacking football. Kiryat Shmona has consistently developed players and competed effectively despite the hardships. However, the absence of a true home ground remains a fundamental issue the club and its fans are eager to resolve.