Lorraine Williamson
Real Madrid’s EuroLeague basketball fixture against Maccabi Tel Aviv will go ahead in Madrid this week — but without fans in the stands. The club has confirmed the match at Movistar Arena will be played behind closed doors, citing a police recommendation after the game was classified as “high risk”.
The decision lands as more than 250 organisations in the Madrid region publicly call for the game to be suspended altogether, arguing that sport should not provide a sense of “normality” around the Gaza war and Israel’s international standing.
Why the match is closed to supporters
Madrid’s Government Delegate, Francisco Martín, stated the match will be played without spectators for security reasons, after Real Madrid accepted the recommendation from the Policía Nacional.
According to Martín, police and city services discussed the fixture in a security meeting involving multiple units and municipal emergency services, after demonstrations were notified for the area around the arena on Thursday afternoon. Authorities say a major policing deployment is planned to allow the game to take place while also protecting the right to protest.
What Real Madrid said about refunds
In its official statement, Real Madrid said ticket holders will be refunded automatically, without needing to request payment. Season-ticket holders will see the relevant amount offset in next season’s renewal.
The push to suspend the game entirely
The call for suspension has been backed by a wide mix of civil society groups, including neighbourhood associations, solidarity organisations, unions and political groups, according to the Regional Federation of Neighbourhood Associations of Madrid (FRAVM).
Organisers argue the fixture risks “normalising” Israel internationally. They also reference the ongoing International Court of Justice (ICJ) proceedings brought by South Africa against Israel under the Genocide Convention, with the Court’s case file and documents publicly available.
A wider EuroLeague pattern this season
Thursday’s fixture is not the first time Spanish clubs have played Israeli opponents without fans this season. Barcelona’s EuroLeague game against Maccabi was also set to be played behind closed doors, and officials in Madrid referenced earlier closed-door fixtures involving Israeli teams in European competition.
What to expect around Movistar Arena on Thursday
Even with the doors shut to the public, the area around the venue (Avenida Felipe II) is likely to feel different.
There may be temporary traffic restrictions and a visible police presence. If you live nearby or plan to move through the Salamanca/Goya area, it’s worth allowing extra time and following any official instructions on the day.
The bigger question EuroLeague can’t dodge
European sport has long tried to separate the court from politics. Yet the last two years have shown how hard that line is to hold when fixtures become focal points for public anger, security risk, and competing claims about neutrality.
For now, the outcome in Madrid is practical rather than symbolic: the match will be played, but the public won’t be there to watch it.