Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv will open the 2025/26 Israeli Premier League season tonight, hosting Ironi Kiryat Shmona at Bloomfield Stadium in the first round of fixtures. Ahead of the clash, we have gathered all the key statistics, historical encounters, and important details you need to know before kickoff.
The Reds arrive after an intensive pre-season campaign, which culminated in the team reaching the Toto Cup final last Saturday.
Now, with preparations complete, the focus shifts fully to the league. This evening, Hapoel faces its first challenge of the new season as it welcomes the northern side, Kiryat Shmona.
Match Information
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Date & Time: Saturday, August 23, 2025, 20:15
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Competition: Israeli Premier League, Round 1
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Venue: Bloomfield Stadium
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Referee: David Foxman
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Assistant Referees: Tuval Koltanov, Guy Klipper
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VAR Officials: Yigal Frid, Nati Dotan
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Fourth Official: Nael Ouda
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Broadcast: Sport 2 HD
Head-to-Head History
Over the years, Kiryat Shmona has become one of Hapoel Tel Aviv’s regular rivals in the Premier League. Their encounters have consistently delivered intrigue, tension, and dramatic moments. Since Kiryat Shmona’s promotion to the top flight in 2007, the two clubs have met frequently, producing matches long remembered by both sets of supporters.
Overall Record:
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40 matches
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12 wins for Hapoel
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15 draws
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13 wins for Kiryat Shmona
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Goal difference: 52–48 in favor of Kiryat Shmona
At Bloomfield (Hapoel home record):
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19 matches
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5 wins for Hapoel
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9 draws
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5 wins for Kiryat Shmona
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Goal difference: 29–28 in favor of Kiryat Shmona
Memorable Encounters
The first-ever meeting between the sides came in December 2007, when newly-promoted Kiryat Shmona stunned Hapoel at Bloomfield with a 1–0 victory.
In later years, Hapoel celebrated some emphatic wins, highlighted by the 4–2 triumph in May 2014, courtesy of goals from Lucas Sasha, Uri Cohen, and a brace from Gili Vermouth.
Their most recent encounter was in May 2023—a dramatic 2–2 draw. Kiryat Shmona raced to a 2–0 halftime lead, but Hapoel, down to ten men, mounted a spirited comeback to earn a crucial point that ultimately secured its place in the Premier League.