EuroLeague said the decision to allow Israeli clubs to host home games was in response to the October 10 cease-fire agreement.
Published October 21, 2025
Europe’s top basketball competition will return to Israel for the first time since the October 7, 2023 attacks, the organization announced, after clubs agreed on Tuesday to resume EuroLeague and EuroCup matches in the country from December 1, following recent cease-fires and peace efforts in the region.
Due to the Gaza conflict, matches involving Israeli teams have been held at neutral venues since October 2023.
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Six-time champions Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv are the Israeli clubs participating in this season’s EuroLeague, while Hapoel Jerusalem will compete in the EuroCup.
Maccabi play their home games in Belgrade, Serbia, and host Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Hapoel Tel Aviv is based in Sofia, Bulgaria, and their next home game will be against Partizan Belgrade on October 29th.
“After much consideration, ECA clubs have agreed to the proposal to set the date for the resumption of play in Israel as December 1, 2025. Until then, EuroLeague Basketball will continue to closely monitor developments and remain in close contact with national and international authorities, visiting teams, and all relevant organizations,” EuroLeague Basketball said in a statement.
“EuroLeague Basketball and its participating clubs welcome the recent peace plan with optimism and hope. The organization reaffirms its belief in the power of basketball to bring people and communities together and its commitment to contributing to peace through shared values of sport, respect and unity.”
Israel and Hamas have accused each other of repeated ceasefire violations since the ceasefire was formally agreed eight days ago, with violence and accusations flying over the return of prisoners’ bodies, the flow of aid and the pace of opening borders.
