Israel's second-tier season now has a starting date. The Liga Leumit's league management has published the fixture list for the opening rounds of the 2026/27 campaign, ONE reports, confirming that the new season will get under way on Tuesday, August 18.
All eight round-one matches will kick off at 19:30, giving fans across the league's provincial towns and city clubs a fixed date to plan around after months of pre-season build-up.
The opening round pairs Hapoel Ra'anana with Maccabi Ahi Nazareth, Hapoel Afula with MS Ashdod, and Maccabi Jaffa with MS Kiryat Yam. Maccabi Bnei Reineh will host Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv in one of the weekend's more eye-catching fixtures.
Elsewhere in round one, Hapoel Kfar Shalem take on MS Kafr Qasem, Hapoel Akko host Maccabi Kiryat Gat, and Hapoel Rishon LeZion welcome Hapoel Kfar Saba. Ironi Modi'in will complete the round by hosting Maccabi Herzliya.
According to ONE, the league has also locked in the following two rounds: round two is scheduled for August 23-24 and round three for August 30-31, both with a 19:00 kick-off time.
The league management indicated that fixtures beyond round three will be published at a later date. ONE reports the delay stems from shared stadium usage between Liga Leumit and Ligat Ha'al clubs, as well as the knock-on effect of Israeli teams' results in European qualifying rounds this summer.
For clubs building squads over the close season, the confirmed opening date gives a firm target for pre-season friendlies and squad registration, even as the wider calendar for autumn fixtures remains a work in progress.
