Maccabi Tel Aviv is expected to play its EuroLeague home games in Cyprus in front of supporters, after police approved both the use of the Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Centre in Limassol and the presence of up to 5,000 fans inside the arena.
According to information obtained by Politis, police have completed their security assessment and given a positive response to the request to stage Maccabi's European fixtures in Cyprus.
A new meeting was held in Limassol on Tuesday involving representatives of the Israeli teams and police officials to discuss security arrangements for the games.
Among the issues examined were:
- spectator entry and exit procedures,
- security screening,
- seating arrangements,
- segregation of supporters,
- and operational measures before, during and after each game.
The approval for up to 5,000 Maccabi fans resolves one of the main outstanding questions surrounding the move, as it had remained unclear whether matches would be played behind closed doors or with severely restricted attendance.
Limited allocation for visiting supporters
Supporters of visiting teams will also be allowed to attend, according to current plans, although their numbers will be heavily restricted.
Police sources told Politis that between 100 and 150 away fans are expected to be permitted at each match.
The restriction forms part of the broader security strategy, particularly regarding supporter segregation, controlled access to the venue and the prevention of problems before and after matches.
The issue is considered especially important given that several EuroLeague clubs have organised fan bases that may travel to Cyprus for games.
Extra attention for Turkish teams
Particular attention is expected to be given to Maccabi's matches against Turkish clubs.
The schedule includes games against:
- Fenerbahçe
- Anadolu Efes
- Beşiktaş
These fixtures are expected to require enhanced security arrangements, stricter crowd management and more extensive segregation measures both inside and outside the arena.
Police have already begun preliminary operational planning that extends beyond the Spyros Kyprianou venue itself and includes team movements, arrivals and departures, and policing in surrounding areas.
Large Israeli community in Cyprus
Another factor expected to influence attendance is the sizeable Israeli presence in Cyprus.
While there is no official figure, estimates cited by Israeli and international media suggest that at least 3,000 Israeli families now live on the island.
The number of Israelis who own property in Cyprus is believed to be significantly higher, with some reports placing the figure at around 20,000.
That presence is expected to provide Maccabi with a substantial pool of potential supporters in Cyprus, in addition to fans who may travel specifically from Israel.
The short flight time between Cyprus and Israel is also likely to facilitate supporter travel to Limassol.
First game against Real Madrid
At the centre of the planning is the Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Centre, which underwent significant upgrades as part of preparations for EuroBasket.
Representatives of EuroLeague and Maccabi, together with Cypriot authorities, are assessing the venue's operational requirements, with particular focus on entrances, seating areas, security zones and the ability to fully separate different groups of supporters.
Under the current schedule, Maccabi's first home game in Cyprus is expected to take place on 22 October against Real Madrid.
A week later, on 29 October, the Israeli side is due to host Paris Basketball.
The possibility of relocating Maccabi's European fixtures to Cyprus gained momentum during the team's participation in the Neofytos Chandriotis Tournament on the island. An official request was subsequently submitted to President Nikos Christodoulides, after which the relevant authorities began examining the organisational, operational and security aspects of the proposal.
With police approval secured, attendance of up to 5,000 Maccabi supporters confirmed and provision made for a limited number of away fans, the framework for staging the games in Cyprus has largely been established.
Outstanding issues include ticket allocation procedures for visiting supporters, transport and access arrangements, and additional measures for fixtures assessed as high risk.
