Euroleague Basketball confirmed this Thursday the resumption of its competitions in Israel, with the return of the EuroCup on December 9 and the Euroleague on the 11th, after more than a year without matches in the country and after evaluating the security conditions and the return plan on the ground.
At the meeting held by the member clubs of Euroleague Commercial Assets (ECA), they received a comprehensive report on last week’s official visit to Israel, which included in-person inspections of the current situation and the planned protection measures, as well as formal meetings with government agencies.
The latest conversations with local and international authorities, visiting teams and organizations involved, such as players’, coaches’ and referees’ associations, were also reviewed; EuroLeague Players’ Association (ELPA), EuroLeague Head Coaches Board (EHCB) and Union of Euroleague Basketball Officials (UEBO), respectively.
After deliberation, Euroleague Basketball decided to activate the return plan starting on Matchday 10 of the EuroCup and Matchday 15 of the Euroleague. The first match on Israeli soil since October 2023 will be on December 9, with Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem hosting Veolia Towers Hamburg.
In the Euroleague, Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv will play at home again on December 11 against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, and Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv will debut at home on December 16 against Red Star Belgrade.
The Euroleague stressed that it will continue to monitor the evolution of the situation and in permanent coordination with authorities and teams to guarantee the safety of all those involved. The return plan establishes full cooperation with the recommendations and restrictions issued by national governments regarding the movements of their clubs to Israel.