Newsletters
EuroLeague champions Fenerbahce will host Israeli clubs Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv on Nov. 11 and 13 in Munich, the Istanbul club announced Thursday. Turkish authorities cited security concerns as the reason for relocating the games.
Fenerbahce previously moved two home fixtures against Maccabi to Lithuania last season under similar circumstances.
Since October 2023, when the conflict in Gaza escalated, Israeli clubs in the EuroLeague and EuroCup have played their home games abroad. Following a ceasefire agreement on Oct. 10, EuroLeague officials said last week that matches could return to Israel starting Dec. 1, 2025.
Maccabi Tel Aviv, six-time winners of the EuroLeague, and Hapoel Tel Aviv are participating in the top-tier competition this season, while Hapoel Jerusalem is in the second-tier EuroCup.
Fenerbahce Beko and Anadolu Efes were among Turkish clubs that protested the decision to allow Israeli teams to host European competition home games in Israel.
Fenerbahce and Anadolu Efes are leading Turkish basketball clubs with extensive EuroLeague histories. Security concerns have repeatedly led EuroLeague and EuroCup teams to relocate matches during regional conflicts.
Hosting games abroad affects team logistics, fan attendance, and broadcasting arrangements, reflecting ongoing challenges in maintaining competition schedules during geopolitical crises.
Since October 2023, Israeli clubs have relocated their EuroLeague and EuroCup home games abroad due to the conflict in Gaza. Last season, Fenerbahce also moved two home fixtures against Maccabi to Lithuania.
1 min read
