Israel's Youth Premier League, Ligat Ha'Al Noar, opens its 2026/27 season on Saturday with six matches around the country, ONE reports, kicking off a campaign that has grown to a record 19 clubs.
With an odd number of teams in the division, each round features nine fixtures and one club with a bye. Beitar Jerusalem sit out round one, while the other 18 sides are split across Saturday and Monday.
The headline meeting is Maccabi Herzliya against Hapoel Tel Aviv at 17:00. Herzliya are looking for stability in their second straight season at this level, while Hapoel Tel Aviv arrive aiming higher after finishing last season empty-handed on goal difference. The teams' last meeting went firmly Hapoel's way, a 5-0 win, according to ONE.
Also at 17:00, Hapoel Kfar Saba host Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv, the reigning Israeli Youth Cup holders, with Kfar Saba starting a fourth consecutive season in the top flight.
At 18:00, M.S. Ashdod welcome Hapoel Hadera, who return to Ligat Ha'Al Noar after a 13-year absence. In the same time slot, Hapoel Ra'anana host Hapoel Nir Ramat HaSharon, and Hapoel Petah Tikva take on Ironi Kiryat Shmona, whose place in the expanded division helped push the league to 19 teams this season.
Saturday's programme closes at 19:30 with Hapoel Rishon LeZion against Hapoel Haifa.
The round continues on Monday with three further games, led by champions Maccabi Tel Aviv hosting Hapoel Jerusalem, promoted back to the top flight after 13 years away, at 19:35. Hapoel Beersheba face Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Netanya host Maccabi Petah Tikva later that evening, per ONE.
The regular season runs to 19 rounds before splitting into upper and lower playoff groups from mid-January, with the campaign scheduled to finish by late May.
