Acre Municipal Stadium

The stadium was developed on the southern side of Acre, at the exit from the city, as a covered, 5,000-seat football ground.[4] Its opening brought Hapoel Acre back to playing within the city after the club had used Green Stadium in Nazareth Illit and Ilut Stadium.[1][2] Before the move, the club had played 14 matches at Green Stadium and two at Ilut, a situation that separated it from much of its supporter base.[2]

The new venue included covered seating, dressing rooms, and service rooms.[5] A 2014 assessment listed 1,200 parking spaces and identified Hapoel Acre as its user.[6]

The stadium’s cornerstone had been laid approximately six months before December 2009, when construction was expected to finish in less than a year.[7] The initial construction estimate was NIS 37 million, including NIS 15 million expected from Toto-Winner; much of the remaining funding was expected from selling the old stadium, known as Givat Napoleon, with the balance raised by the municipality.[7]

By 2010, one stand had been built, and completion was expected by the end of that year.[4] At that stage, investment was estimated at close to NIS 40 million, including NIS 15 million from Toto and NIS 17 million from Israel Railways as compensation for the closure of the previous stadium because of a railway-line doubling project.[4] Donors and the municipality supplied the remaining funding, and the planned ground was intended to meet European standards.[4]

In August 2011, completion was expected within weeks, and the return to a home ground in Acre was anticipated as the principal change for Hapoel Acre that season.[8] The stadium opened the following month, after a construction period of three years.[1][5] Its inauguration was scheduled to feature a match between Hapoel Acre and Maccabi Haifa.[5]

At inauguration, investment was reported at more than NIS 50 million, with funding from the municipality, Toto, the Ministry for the Development of the Negev and Galilee, the Transportation Ministry, and Israel Railways.[5] Toto’s contribution was then listed as NIS 17 million.[5] Some additions, including a scoreboard, were still missing shortly after the opening.[1]

Hapoel Acre’s average attendance increased from 788 spectators per match in 2009/10, when the club played outside the city, to 2,356 after the move to TOTO Stadium.[2] The move also coincided with a strong start to the club’s 2011/12 season, although goals scored decreased slightly.[9] At the time of opening, the Acre Economic Company held primary responsibility for the stadium and undertook activities including season-ticket sales, individual ticket sales, and concessions.[1]

In 2014, the stadium’s general condition was assessed as very good and its maintenance as excellent.[6] It had separate stands for rival supporter groups and designated smoking areas, although smoking restrictions were not enforced.[6] Shortcomings included inadequate toilets and a need for more electrical outlets in the press stand; the assessment awarded the venue a score of seven, citing its small size and the late renovation of the parking area.[6]

By January 2025, regular users included Hapoel Acre, Bnei Sakhnin, M.S. Kiryat Yam, Ahi Acre, and Hapoel Acre’s youth team.[3] Hapoel Acre and Bnei Sakhnin also held their final training sessions there, while the volume of matches alone made caring for the pitch very difficult.[3]

Bnei Sakhnin used the ground while Doha Stadium underwent renovations costing an estimated NIS 8–10 million.[3] At least through the end of January 2025, Sakhnin paid no rent, with turnstiles from Doha Stadium identified as compensation for the arrangement.[3] Acre mayor Amihai Ben Shlush said the municipality faced financial pressure and a substantial deficit, making income from stadium users necessary.[3] Describing the pitch, he said, “I see the grass; it is sad and difficult. Players cannot play on a pitch like this. It needs to be given a rest.” He added that more grounds were needed to reduce the load.[3]