Israeli Football Season Opens Under Tight Security at Turner Stadium

Israel's 2026/27 domestic football season opened Thursday evening at Turner Stadium, with league champion Hapoel Be'er Sheva hosting State Cup holder Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Champion of Champions match. Police deployed reinforced forces and detained four people after stopping a vehicle near the stadium and finding several clubs suspected as attack weapons. Road closures around the venue began at 5:30 p.m. Authorities said they would act against attempts to bring weapons into sports venues and urged supporters to follow police, steward and Home Front Command instructions.