Maccabiah 2026

Due to the war with Iran, Maccabiah 2025 has been postponed to summer 2026 and will take place from June 30 to July 14, 2026, with over 8,000 athletes from approximately 55 countries expected to compete in 45 sports.

Under the slogan "More Than Ever," Maccabiah 2026 will highlight the power of unity and the importance of strengthening the bond between Jews communities worldwide and the State of Israel – today, more than ever.

Maccabiah 2026 will collaborate with the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization, integrating its members as workers, volunteers, and participants in ceremonies and official events. Additionally, Paralympic athletes will compete in sports such as swimming, tennis, table tennis, wheelchair basketball, and hand cycling. As part of a collaboration with the Nova Tribe Community and other organizations, survivors of the October 7th attacks anfd their families will also be involved in various roles during the Games. 

Maccabiah 2026 is expanding, with new cities joining the event for the first time - including Tel Aviv-Yafo. Each main city will host a different competition category: Jerusalem will focus on the Open category, Haifa on the Junior category, and Herzliya on the Masters category. Additional host cities include Hadera and Ra'anana, with special attention given to the communities in the southern and northern regions of Israel.

The opening ceremony will be held at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem on July 1, 2026 while the closing event will take place in Tel Aviv on July 13, 2026. For the first time, surfing competitions will be held at Herzliya’s beach and the cutting-edge SRF PARK TLV wave pool in Tel Aviv. Hadera will host football, judo, karate, and time trial cycling, while Ra'anana will offer a wide rage of events, including baseball, squash, and table tennis.

Beyond traditional stadiums and arenas, Maccabiah 2026 will bring sports outdoors — integrating nature, heritage, and resilience. A road cycling race is planned in the western Negev, offering a challenging 100 km route that passes through Gaza border communities such as Re'im and Sderot, symbolizing perseverance and renewal. Triathlon sprints and open water swimming events will take place in Emek HaMaayanot, including Gan HaShlosha (Sakhne) and the Asi River. 

Maccabi Run will offer participants unique routes through Israel’s stunning landscapes: A coastal sunset race in Herzliya, a night race in Jerusalem passing landmarks such as the Knesset and Rose Garden, and a scenic run in EcoPark Hadera.

Beach events — including beach volleyball, beach soccer, and beach tennis — will take place at the Dan Acadia Beach in Herzliya, which will be transformed into a vibrant and festive summer venue.

Maccabiah City – A Sports Festival for the Whole Family

For the first time, Tel Aviv Expo will be transformed into Maccabiah City — a vibrant, family-friendly sports festival filled with attractions, advanced sports facilities, interactive competitions, athlete performances, and exhibits celebrating sports innovation and technology. Highlights will include: "Maccabiah Kids" – a sports zone for children, "Sport Market" – an exhibition of leading sports brands, and "Master Classes"  - interactive sessions with top athletes and coaches from Israel and around the world (some open to the public with advance registration). One day will be dedicated to the families of IDF wounded veterans and residents of Israel’s southern and northern communities.

New Sports at Maccabiah 2026

The Games continue to evolve, introducing new competitions alongside returning favorites. Pickleball - one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide, will debut with singles, doubles, and mixed doubles competitions. Handball returns after a long absence, with competitions for both men and women. Padel, introduced in the previous Macccabiah, will expend to include a Masters category.

Maccabi Run becomes an officiall part of the Games for the first time, featuring a 5 km beach race in Herzliya, a night half-marathon in Jerusalem, and a one-mile race (1.6 km) in EcoPark Hadera.

For endurance athletes, the MaccabiMan/Woman challenge offers a unique test of strength and spirit. Participants will complete four demanding events:  A half marathon in Jerusalem, a time trial cycling race in EcoPark Hadera , a sprint triathlon in Emek HaMaayanot, and an open water swim in the Asi River. Athletes who complete all Maccabi Run races or all  MaccabiMan/Woman events will receive a special distinction and the official Maccabiah title.

Maccabiah 2026 Ambassadors

For the first time, the Maccabiah is launching an Ambassador Team - Olympic athletes and champions who embody the values of excellence, perseverance, and Zionism. These inspiring figures serve as role models for athletes and youth worldwide: Peter Paltchik - Judo Olympic bronze medalist  (Paris 2024), team bronze medalist (Tokyo 2020), former European champion, and world medalist; Raz Hershko – Judo Olympic silver medalist (Paris 2024), reigning European champion, and world medalist; Asaf Yessour -  Paralympic Taekwondo champion (Paris 2024), two-time world champion, and European champion; Moran Samuel – Paralympic rowing champion (Paris 2024), also medaled in Tokyo 2020 and Rio 2016, former basketball player, and member of Maccabi World Union Secretariat;  Artem Dolgopyat – one of Israel’s greatest athletes - Olympic gold medalist (Tokyo 2020), silver medalist (Paris 2024),world champion, and two-time European champion in floor gymnastics, who has placed Israel on the global gymnastics map.

Joining the athletes is Montana Tucker, a popular American singer and social media star, known for her passionate advocacy for Israel and against antisemitism.