Hapoel Jerusalem Moves Closer to Securing Permanent Euroleague License

On August 13, 2026, Hapoel Jerusalem officially announced it had passed the first round in the process of obtaining a permanent license at Euroleague — a step the club defined as "franchise" in the language of Europe's premier basketball competition. The announcement came from direct confirmation by Euroleague CEO Chus Bueno to the club's management, opening the next phase in the club's journey to become a permanent member of the continent's most prestigious arena. This is not a ceremonial decision. Under the current Euroleague structure, the licensing system operates in multiple tiers, from temporary licenses based on domestic league performance to permanent licenses held by only a select few clubs. Passing the initial review means Hapoel Jerusalem's financial documentation, arena infrastructure, and long-term development plans have met the minimum standards set by Euroleague management. This does not guarantee a fixed berth, but removes the biggest barrier on the road ahead. In their official statement, Hapoel Jerusalem concealed no satisfaction but also refused to celebrate prematurely. The club affirmed it would "make every effort to ensure Hapoel 'Midtown' Jerusalem becomes a permanent member of the Euroleague" — wording that reveals their understanding that the next round is the real test. The backdrop to this move is noteworthy. Hapoel Jerusalem joined the Euroleague from the 2026-2026 season through a performance-based license from the Israeli Premier League. Since then, the club has competed as a seasonal guest — meaning each year they must re-earn their right to participate rather than holding a guaranteed position. This model was once common across Europe but is gradually narrowing, as Euroleague increasingly favors clubs with permanent licenses to ensure stability in television revenue and commercial contracts. From decades of observing game patterns, there is an unwritten rule in the Euroleague system: clubs that maintain roster stability across three consecutive seasons while sustaining steady commercial revenue growth gain a significant advantage in the permanent license evaluation. Hapoel Jerusalem has met both conditions. Their roster in the past three seasons changed by an average of only 23% per transfer window — a remarkably low figure compared to the 35-40% average turnover of clubs without fixed licenses. Financially, according to the club's publicly available financial report for 2026, Hapoel Jerusalem's commercial revenue reached 18.7 million euros, a 12% increase from the previous year. This growth rate places them among the leaders among clubs without permanent licenses. However, this figure remains approximately 40% of the revenue of clubs with fixed franchises such as Real Madrid or Barcelona — a gap that Hapoel Jerusalem still needs to close. A notable detail in the announcement is the club's self-reference as "Hapoel 'Midtown' Jerusalem" — a new branding designed to reposition the team in the international market. This is a small but strategically significant move: the rebranding signals that management is preparing for a brand expansion, seeking cross-border sponsors and building an image that transcends Israeli borders. This is a tactic previously used successfully by Eastern European clubs — Maccabi Tel Aviv being the prime example — to transition from a domestic league team into a global brand. But the journey is far from over. The next licensing round requires Hapoel Jerusalem to present a detailed three-year financial plan, including projections for television rights revenue, sponsorship contracts, and expected attendance at their home arena, Pais Arena. This is the phase where many clubs have stumbled — not for lack of capability but for failing to meet the financial transparency standards Euroleague management established in 2026. An external factor to monitor is the geopolitical context. Israel is no stranger to sports clubs in ensuring a stable competitive schedule. In the past two seasons, Hapoel Jerusalem has played some home games at alternative venues due to security concerns. Euroleague will weigh this factor in franchise evaluation — not as grounds for rejection, but as a variable requiring a clear contingency plan. A quick comparison with clubs at the same licensing stage: Partizan Belgrade completed their franchise process in 2026 after four years of waiting. Bayern Munich took six years to transition from guest license to permanent member. Hapoel Jerusalem's path, if proceeding on schedule, could be shorter thanks to a stronger financial foundation compared to rivals who filed applications simultaneously. What 46 years of sports observation has taught me: every announcement of a "next step forward" contains a gap that readers must fill with questions. The question here is not "Does Hapoel Jerusalem deserve a license" — but "Does Euroleague have enough room in its 20-team permanent table for another representative from the Middle East". That is the real negotiation taking place in executive boardrooms, behind the veneer of press releases. There are three months until Euroleague announces the list of clubs granted permanent licenses for the 2026-2027 season. Hapoel Jerusalem has cleared the first hurdle. But in a system where each franchise slot represents tens of millions of euros in annual revenue, one step forward is not enough to conclude. The Israeli club knows this, and their announcement — however brief — deliberately said nothing more.