Can you hear the roar of the crowd? This is Teddy Stadium. It’s the largest football stadium in Israel. It’s named after a former mayor of Jerusalem, Teddy Kollek. He was a big supporter of its construction. The stadium opened in 1991.
Teddy Stadium is home to two major Israeli football clubs: Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Jerusalem. It has also hosted matches of the Israel national football team and the opening ceremony of the Maccabiah Games. The stadium is known for its modern facilities and convenient location. It’s located right next to the Malha Train Station and the Begin Expressway.
Before Teddy Stadium was built, Beitar Jerusalem played at the YMCA Stadium. This stadium was nicknamed “The Sandbox” because of its poor ground conditions. Teddy Stadium was a significant upgrade. It was originally built with a capacity of 14,500. It was later expanded to accommodate over 31,000 spectators. This makes it one of the largest stadiums in Israel. Today, Teddy Stadium stands as a testament to Kollek’s vision. It’s a place where sports fans can come together and cheer for their favorite teams.