Fenerbahce Hosts Israeli EuroLeague Games in Munich Over Security Concerns

Fenerbahce, the defending EuroLeague basketball champions from Turkey, will host their upcoming home games against Israeli teams Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv in Munich, Germany rather than Istanbul due to security concerns and measures imposed by Turkish authorities. These matches, scheduled for November 11 and 13, will be open to Fenerbahce supporters and played at Munich's SAP Garden arena. The relocation continues a pattern, as Fenerbahce had previously moved home games against Maccabi to Lithuania last season amid tensions related to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict that began with a Hamas attack in October 2023. Israeli teams have been playing their European home games abroad since the conflict started, though EuroLeague clubs recently approved returning matches to Israel starting December 1, 2025. Relations between Turkey and Israel have deteriorated sharply during the conflict, with significant anti-Israel demonstrations in Turkey and criticism from Turkish clubs like Fenerbahce and Anadolu Efes regarding the EuroLeague's decision to allow Israeli teams to resume hosting games in Israel. The political and security ramifications of the Israel-Gaza war have also affected other sporting events across Europe, including restrictions on Israeli soccer fans and violent incidents at games involving Israeli teams.