האצטדיון העירוני חולון

Each section is punctuated by a large, circular window with a pink-tinted pane, a design choice that sets the building apart from the modern, glass-fronted arenas that have sprung up across the city. A metal fence sits atop the wall, separating the structure from the public space beyond, where young trees are planted in square, brick-lined beds on a paved plaza.

The entrance is marked by a green arched gate, which stands in sharp contrast to the grey concrete. A sign above the gate displays Hebrew lettering, and a smaller, white square sign with a red number hangs on the gate itself. A ramp with metal railings leads up to the entrance, suggesting the venue is built for accessibility as well as sport. Inside, the ground level is defined by a reddish-brown running track that encircles a green football pitch, a layout that points to the arena’s multi-purpose nature, though the primary tenant is the professional basketball club Hapoel Holon.

Looking out from the concrete stands, the view is dominated by the city skyline in the distance and a tall telecommunications tower rising against the blue sky. The pitch itself is a vibrant green, bordered by a running track and a low wall covered in advertising boards. A transparent dugout with blue seats sits on the sidelines, while a small, cylindrical container stands near the centre of the track. The arena opened in March 2015, replacing the May 1 Hall, which had been the club’s home since 1953. The move marked a shift for the team, trading a cramped, older facility for a space designed for modern broadcasting.

The playing surface is natural wood parquet, a detail that speaks to the venue’s primary function as a basketball court, even though the exterior and the football pitch suggest a broader use for the community. The capacity for basketball games is 5,500, a figure that allows the club to host games without the intensity of a packed city centre venue. The upgrades made in 2016 to the lighting and acoustic systems were intended for live television broadcasts, ensuring the arena could host professional football matches as well as basketball. The official website, totoholon.co.il, lists the arena as a hub for both sport and cultural events, hosting rhythmic gymnastics and concerts alongside the football and basketball matches that fill its calendar.