Cyprus rejects Israeli Basketball team’s request to host EuroLeague games

The Cypriot government has reportedly declined a request from Israeli EuroLeague team Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv to host its home games on the island, citing security concerns.

According to Israeli sports outlet One.co.il, Israeli ambassador Oren Anolik was informed that Cyprus would not permit Israeli sports teams to host matches, as local authorities could not guarantee the safety of the events. Police officials reportedly said they were “unwilling to undertake the operational demands of hosting high-risk sporting fixtures,” given the current regional volatility.

Maccabi Tel Aviv had proposed flying fans in and out on match days under strict security measures, but the plan failed to persuade Cypriot officials.

Following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent two-year Israeli military campaign in Gaza, five Israeli basketball teams—including Maccabi Tel Aviv—played home games behind closed doors in Cyprus. These included Hapoel Holon, Hapoel Galil Elion, Bnei Herzliya, and Ness Ziona.

With Cyprus no longer an option, Maccabi Tel Aviv is now considering alternative venues. The Greek island of Rhodes is under consideration, though questions remain over its infrastructure, security capacity, and political implications. Another fallback option is Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, where the club hosted games last season.

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv, competing in Europe’s EuroCup, also hoped to use Cyprus as a home base but will now need to explore other venues. Last season, Hapoel and fellow Israeli team Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem played their EuroCup home games in Sofia, Bulgaria.

On the court, Maccabi Tel Aviv finished 14th out of 16 teams in last season’s EuroLeague, failing to qualify for the playoffs. Turkish club Fenerbahce Beko claimed the title, defeating AS Monaco 81–70 in the final. Meanwhile, Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv won the EuroCup, beating Spain’s Dreamland Gran Canaria in a two-legged final. Gran Canaria had eliminated Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in the quarterfinals.