southsports

Maccabi Tel Aviv Set to Move EuroLeague Home Games to Cyprus Maccabi Tel Aviv are preparing to relocate their EuroLeague home games from Belgrade to Cyprus as the Israeli club continues to play its European fixtures outside Israel. The club is expected to use the Spyros Kyprianou Arena in Limassol as its temporary home venue, following security assessments and discussions involving Cypriot authorities, Maccabi and EuroLeague officials. First Game Could Be Against Real Madrid Maccabi's first home game in Limassol is scheduled for October 22 against Real Madrid. Cyprus Sports Organisation president Yiannis Ioannou confirmed that the arena will be used by Maccabi for its EuroLeague home fixtures this season. However, some technical work and final EuroLeague approval are still required before the move is completely formalized. The venue will need to meet several EuroLeague requirements, including the installation of appropriate basketball equipment and arrangements for media facilities, VIP areas and courtside seating. Strict Security Measures Planned Security will be one of the biggest considerations surrounding Maccabi's move to Cyprus. The Spyros Kyprianou Arena has a capacity of around 6,000 to 8,000 depending on configuration, but attendance for Maccabi games is expected to be limited to approximately 5,000 spectators. Away supporters are also expected to receive a restricted ticket allocation, while police will take control of the venue ahead of matchdays as part of enhanced security procedures. Additional precautions are expected for fixtures against Turkish clubs, including Fenerbahce, Anadolu Efes and Besiktas. A New Temporary Home Maccabi previously used Belgrade as its home base while unable to host EuroLeague matches in Israel. The move to Limassol would provide the club with a new location considerably closer to Israel while allowing it to maintain a more conventional home-game environment during its European campaign. Maccabi's schedule in Cyprus is expected to include matches against Paris Basketball, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Olympiacos, Dubai Basketball and Zalgiris Kaunas, among others. The club could remain in Limassol for much of the regular season, with further home games potentially taking place there if Maccabi qualifies for the EuroLeague playoffs. The Return to Israel Remains the Long-Term Goal Despite the relocation, Maccabi's move to Cyprus is understood to be a temporary arrangement. The club has continued discussions with EuroLeague officials about eventually returning its home games to Israel, but the current security situation means that option is not yet available. For now, Limassol will provide Maccabi with a new base as it attempts to navigate a challenging EuroLeague season. The first major test could come on October 22, when Real Madrid are scheduled to visit the Spyros Kyprianou Arena for what would be Maccabi's first EuroLeague home game in Cyprus.