Euroleague Basketball confirmed that games will return to Israel in December following a full review of current conditions and safety procedures.
The announcement came after Euroleague Commercial Assets member clubs met on November 27 to assess updated information from the league’s recent delegation visit to the country.
Officials conducted on-site inspections, reviewed security protocols, and held formal meetings with multiple government bodies to evaluate readiness for the restart.
Clubs also examined the latest discussions held with local and international authorities, visiting teams, and organizations such as ELPA, EHCB, and UEBO, all of which were engaged throughout the monitoring phase.
After these evaluations, Euroleague Basketball approved the activation of its return plan beginning with Round 10 of the EuroCup and Round 15 of the EuroLeague.
The first professional game in Israel since October 2023 will take place on December 9 when Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem hosts Veolia Towers Hamburg in EuroCup action.
EuroLeague competition will resume in the country on December 11 with Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv facing LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne.
Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv will play its home opener on December 16 against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, a matchup featuring two clubs currently positioned in the league’s top two places.
Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv is currently at 9–4 with a +86 differential, while Crvena Zvezda holds the same 9–4 record with a +71 margin.
Both contenders remain part of a tight standings cluster at the top of the EuroLeague table that also includes Panathinaikos, Zalgiris Kaunas, and AS Monaco.
Euroleague Basketball stated that the restart plan will follow national government recommendations regarding travel authorizations for visiting teams throughout the season.
League officials emphasized that coordination with domestic and international authorities will continue as games resume to ensure that players, staff, and fans operate under the required safety standards.
The decision marks a significant step after more than a year without EuroCup or EuroLeague contests being held in Israel, and it comes at a competitive point in the season with clubs separated by narrow margins across the standings.
Teams such as Olympiacos, Valencia, and Fenerbahce also remain in the tightly packed 8–5 group, creating added implications as road schedules resume normally.
Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv, currently 3–10, returns home looking to stabilize its season after posting a -70 point differential through 13 games.
