Maccabi Tel Aviv selects Limassol's Spyros Kyprianou arena for EuroLeague home games

Maccabi Tel Aviv has officially selected the renovated Spyros Kyprianou sports centre in Limassol, Cyprus, as its temporary home venue for the upcoming EuroLeague season. The decision follows security concerns in Israel that prevented the club from hosting games in its own country. The Cyprus Sports Organization (KOA), the government, and the police have granted approval for the matches, with the first game scheduled for October 22 against Real Madrid.

The logistical plan involves hosting up to 4,500 spectators, with an allocation of 3,000 tickets for Israeli fans and 1,500 for local residents. The Cyprus Police have categorized the games as high-risk, leading to an extensive operational security plan for the surrounding areas, while a private security firm will manage the interior of the arena. Although some reports suggested Maccabi might seek to play matches against Greek clubs behind closed doors, no official decision has been finalized.

Controversy has emerged following the announcement, with eleven organizations, including BDS Cyprus and the Cyprus Peace Council, calling for a boycott. These groups claim the hosting constitutes 'sportswashing' amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Local authorities, including KOA, have defended the decision as a standard administrative process, while preparing for the operational challenges of hosting teams from various countries, including Turkey.