History
The sports arena was built in the Yad Eliyahu neighborhood of Tel-Aviv in two stages during the 1960’s. At first, the arena was built as an open field without a roof, as part of a sports complex that used to house the Galit pool. The field was tiled and had approximately 5,000 seats on concrete bleachers (which today makeup the lower seats). The field was inaugurated on September 17, 1963 in a basketball game between the Israel national team and the Yugoslavian national team.
1963
1969
The hall went through a major renovation and in essence was built anew by the engineering team of the Tel-Aviv- Yafo Municipality A. Milstein – A. Singer Construction Engineers firm. The upper stands with an additional 5,000 seats were added to the structure, which at the time was named after the late Yosef Burstein, the deputy mayor of the Tel-Aviv- Yafo Municipality. In addition, the structure was covered with a metal roof and the field became a closed arena – this made it the first indoor basketball court in Israel.
The sports arena was considered to be one of the most sophisticated and advanced sport facilities in Europe at the time. The opening game in the rebuilt arena was a basketball game between the Israel national team and the Cantu Italian team, held on February 15, 1972 and won by the Israeli team.
1972
2003
Eurocom Communications Ltd., won the sponsorship tender for the name of the arena, and the arena’s name was changed to the “Nokia Arena” for the next ten years (until the end of 2014), a move that was considered groundbreaking.
The arena received the right to host the prestigious Euroleague Final Four game, which had one of the most memorable finals in Israeli and European history. Maccabi Tel-Aviv defeated the Italian “Skipper Bologna” team in the final and won the European championship in basketball for the fourth time.
2004
2007 - 2005
During the years 2005 to 2007 the board of directors of the Sport Palaces of Tel Aviv Yafo Ltd., Company decided to conduct extensive renovations in the arena, a move that is supported by the Tel-Aviv- Yafo Municipality. The arena becomes a spacious and opaque structure, and approximately 1,000 seats and 24 viewing boxes are added to it, as well as complex of stores and restaurants in the commercial ring surrounding the arena. In addition, the viewing experience was improved and the most modern and sophisticated concession stands in the country were added.
The renewed arena is inaugurated in a festive event in the framework of the performance of the international spectacular “Mama Mia” show in the presence of the mayor of the Tel-Aviv- Yafo Municipality, Mr. Ron Huldai, the Company’s management and the management of the Eurocom Communications Company.
2007
2009
The Nokia arena hosts the Davis Cup quarterfinals (10-12.7.2009) which faces the Israeli team VS. the Russian team. Israel recorded a historic victory by tennis players Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich, who defeated the Russian pair Mart Safin and Igor Konitzin. Israel rises to the top (Davis Cup Semifinals)
The 'Menora Mivtachim' Company won the sponsorship/ branding tender for the name of the arena (after the engagement with the Eurocom Communications Company had ended) and the arena’s name was changed to the “Menora Mivtachim Arena” for the next eight years. The Menora Mivtachim Company is one of the leading companies in the Israeli insurance industry.
2015
2015
The parqet floor changes color from Blue to Yellow for the first time since 1999/2000. The company, together with a team of experts operates the project using advanced polishing machines. The new color is a part of the new look of the arena, which apears with the new name "Menora Mivtachin Arena", and with cooperation with Maccabi Tel Aviv managment.
