Israel will host the European Under 21 football championship finals in 2013 after beating out the competition from England, Wales, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic. The tournament is considered the most important UEFA national team tournament after the Euro for full international teams.

The Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, which will host matches in the tournament, is currently being expanded to a 31,000 seat capacity in advance of the games. In addition, it is expected that new stadiums will be built in Haifa, Netanya and Petach Tikva in time for the tournament.

The 19th Maccabiah Games are also scheduled to take place in Israel, just one month after the 2013 European Under 21 football championship finals.