Real Madrid to Play Maccabi Tel Aviv EuroLeague Game Behind Closed Doors
Real Madrid announced that its upcoming EuroLeague game against Maccabi Tel Aviv will be played behind closed doors following a high-risk security assessment by Spanish authorities.
In its official statement, the club said:
“Real Madrid C. F. informs that the EuroLeague game corresponding to Round 21, to be played on Thursday, 8 January 2026, between Real Madrid and Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv at the Movistar Arena, will be held behind closed doors.
This decision has been taken following the resolution adopted by the State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Sport, which has classified the match as high risk, and on the recommendation of the National Police.
All tickets purchased for this game will be automatically refunded. Season ticket holders will receive the corresponding refund through a discount applied to the renewal of their subscriptions for the next season.”
The game will go ahead as scheduled but without spectators in attendance.
A familiar scenario for Turkish basketball
Similar security-driven decisions have already affected Fenerbahçe Beko this season. In previous EuroLeague rounds, Fenerbahçe relocated its home games against Israeli teams to neutral venues outside Türkiye, citing security considerations following consultations with local authorities and league officials.
Those matches were played without incident, but the relocation underscored the same dilemma now facing Spanish clubs: how to balance competitive continuity with public-order concerns when hosting fixtures involving Israeli teams.
A wider EuroLeague pattern
The Real Madrid decision reflects a broader trend across the EuroLeague. Since late 2023, matches involving Israeli clubs have repeatedly been subject to special security arrangements, including closed-door games, venue changes, and, in some cases, extended periods in which Israeli teams played “home” fixtures abroad.
Rather than suspending competition, EuroLeague organisers have left operational decisions largely to host clubs and national authorities, resulting in a patchwork of responses shaped by local risk assessments.
Security over spectacle
For clubs like Real Madrid and Fenerbahçe, the approach has been similar: play the game, protect the event, and minimise public risk. The result is that high-profile EuroLeague nights proceed without fans, reducing atmosphere but preserving the integrity of the competition.
No change to the schedule
Neither Real Madrid nor Maccabi Tel Aviv indicated any change to the wider EuroLeague calendar. The decision affects attendance only and does not alter competitive or broadcasting arrangements.
The episode highlights how geopolitical tensions continue to shape European basketball logistics, with Turkish clubs already familiar with the adjustments now being applied elsewhere in the league.