Maccabi Tel Aviv Shifts EuroLeague Home Games to Cyprus After Three Years

Maccabi Tel Aviv is shifting its EuroLeague home court from Belgrade to Limassol, Cyprus, after nearly three years of playing in the Aleksandar Nikolic Hall due to the security situation following the events of October 7. The historic move kicks off with a high-stakes EuroLeague derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv at the Spyros Kyprianou Arena.

While Belgrade offered a reliable temporary haven and warm hospitality, the arrangement took a heavy toll. The long flights and cumulative fatigue impacted the players, and crowd attendance remained sparse, robbing the club of its trademark home-court advantage. Seeking a solution closer to home, Maccabi launched diplomatic efforts, culminating in high-level talks between club chairman Shimon Mizrahi and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.

The relocation involved a grueling two-week logistical sprint managed by Nitzan Ferrero and Ofir Franko. With minimal preparation time, the team had to ship custom basketball hoops from Israel, refurbish the parquet flooring, install broadcast systems, and build an operational crew from scratch under strict EuroLeague guidelines.

Moving to Cyprus drastically cuts travel time, with flights from Israel taking just 40 to 50 minutes. This proximity allows players to sleep in their own beds after games rather than enduring grueling red-eye flights. Financially, while security costs remain high, the club expects to save on flights and hotels. Most importantly, the move aims to bring Israeli fans back. Maccabi is authorized to host up to 3,000 of its supporters per match, alongside local fans, creating a vibrant atmosphere under tight security protocols.