Cyprus Police have given the green light for Maccabi Tel Aviv to use Cyprus as the home base for its EuroLeague games, according to exclusive information obtained by politis.com.cy. Police have completed their assessment of the information before them and approved, from a security standpoint, the staging of the Israeli club's home games on the island.
If the move goes ahead, Cyprus would host a series of games against some of the biggest teams in European basketball, with the first possibly against Real Madrid on 22 October.
What police assessed
The decision is one of the most significant steps towards the relocation of Maccabi's home ground. In recent weeks, police had been examining issues relating to match security, the segregation of stands, fan management and, more broadly, the measures that would be required while the team is on the island.
Maccabi had previously used Belgrade as an alternative home ground for its European games following developments in Israel, with security and the presence of fans among the main issues in organising the games.
The question of fans in the stands
What remains open is the framework under which the games will be played, and in particular whether fans will be allowed in the stands.
The issue carries particular weight because these are EuroLeague games rather than a one-off event. The question is whether Maccabi will be able to host the competition's biggest clubs in Cyprus with spectators, or whether security conditions will lead to games being played behind closed doors.
The venue
The Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Centre in Limassol, which was upgraded for EuroBasket 2025, is the frontrunner to host the games.
The police's positive response opens the way for the next steps, with final arrangements involving both the EuroLeague and Maccabi.
Possible first fixtures
According to information published by Phileleftheros, the EuroLeague is expected to consider the matter, with 22 October emerging as a possible date for Maccabi's first game in Cyprus.
Under the competition schedule, Maccabi is due to host Real Madrid on 22 October, followed by another home game against Paris on 29 October. If procedures are completed in time, the Real Madrid game could be the first played by Maccabi with Cyprus as its home base.
Games requiring additional measures
According to Politis, the police's positive position does not mean all games will be treated in the same way. Maccabi's schedule includes games with different levels of risk, which will require corresponding operational planning.
Particular attention is expected to be paid to certain games, including those against Turkish teams, because of the additional security requirements that may arise.
Maccabi's request
The Israeli club raised the possibility of moving its home games to Cyprus during its visit to the island for the Neophytos Chandriotis tournament. On the sidelines of the tournament, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides met Maccabi president Shimon Mizrahi, who made the request verbally.
This was followed by a formal request from Maccabi to the President for Cyprus to be used as the home ground for the team's EuroLeague games.
With the police's positive response, one of the key issues facing the Cypriot side has been resolved. The remaining outstanding matters, including the status of fan attendance, must be settled before Maccabi officially moves its European home base to Cyprus.
