The 22st Maccabiah

Maccabiah 2025 will take place from July 8th to 22nd, and it's expected to be the largest and most meaningful Maccabiah of our generation, with over 10,000 athletes from around 80 countries. Following the events of October 7th, and under the slogan "More Than Ever," this Maccabiah will emphasize the importance of unity and strengthening the connections between Jews communities worldwide and the State of Israel.

Maccabiah 2025, more than ever, represents national resilience and the unifying power of sports. This year, the event will collaborate with the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization, integrating its members as workers, volunteers, and witnesses during ceremonies and official events. Additionally, Paralympic athletes will compete in 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 and their families will also be integrated into various roles during the Games. 

Maccabiah 2025 is expanding, with new cities joining in to host events, including Tel Aviv-Yafo for the first time. Each main city will host a unique set of competitions: Jerusalem will focus on the Open category, Haifa on the Junior category, and Herzliya on the Masters category. Other cities hosting events include Hadera, Ra'anana, and Daliyat al-Karmel, with special attention given to the southern and northern regions of Israel.

The opening ceremony will be held at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem on July 10th, while the closing event will take place in Tel Aviv on July 21st. For the first time, surfing competitions will be held both at Herzliya’s beach and the new wave pool at Gan Binyamin Park in Tel Aviv. Hadera will host competitions in football, judo, karate, and time trial cycling, while Ra'anana will host a wide rage of events, including baseball, squash, and table tennis.

Alongside the competitions in stadiums and halls, Maccabiah 2025 will also feature outdoor events, combining sports with beautiful scenery and heritage. On July 18th, a road cycling race will take place in the western Negev, offering a challenging 100 km route that passes through communities in the Gaza periphery, such as the Re'im parking lot and the police station in Sderot, highlighting the area’s resilience and renewal. Additionally, triathlon sprints and open water swimming competitions will be held in the Emek HaMaayanot, Gan HaShlosha (Sakhne) and the Asi River. 

Maccabi Run will also offer participants unique routes through Israel’s stunning landscapes. The Herzliya race will be held along the coastline at sunset, the Jerusalem night race will pass by historical sites like the Knesset and Rose Garden, and the Hadera race will take place at EcoPark. The off-road race will be held in Daliyat al-Karmel along the "Boys’ Trail," a memorial trail for Druze soldiers who fell while serving in the IDF. This event will end with a festive ceremony, including traditional Druze hospitality, concluding the Maccabiah's week of races.

Maccabiah City – A Sports Festival for the Whole Family at Tel Aviv’s Expo
For the first time in Maccabiah history, the Expo complex will be transformed into a vibrant sports city, full of attractions, advanced sports facilities, interactive competitions, performances by international athletes, and exhibits showcasing innovation and technology in sports. Over five days, Maccabiah City will provide unforgettable experiences for the whole family and will be open to the public. Major attractions will include "Maccabiah Kids" – a sports zone for children, "Sport Market" – an exhibition of leading sports brands, and "Master Classes" with top athletes and coaches from Israel and around the world, some of which will be open to the public with advance registration. One day will be dedicated to the families of IDF wounded veterans and the southern and northern communities. The grand finale will be the closing event on July 21st.

New Sports at Maccabiah 2025
Maccabiah continues to grow and expand, adding new competitions alongside returning favorites. This year, pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide, will be introduced, with singles, doubles, and mixed doubles competitions. Handball is returning to Maccabiah after a long absence, with events for both men and women. Additionally, padel, which was introduced in the previous games, will include a Masters category this year.

Maccabi Run will also officially become part of Maccabiah for the first time, offering a series of races that combine sport with the scenic beauty of Israel. Participants will compete in four different events: a beach race in Herzliya (5 km) on July 9th, a night half marathon in Jerusalem on July 14th, a one-mile race (1.6 km) in EcoPark Hadera on July 16th, and a 10 km cross-country race in Daliyat al-Karmel on July 17th.

For endurance athletes, MaccabiMan/Woman will feature a unique challenge that combines four tough events: a half marathon in Jerusalem on July 14th, a time trial cycling race in EcoPark Hadera on July 16th, a sprint triathlon in Emek HaMaayanot on July 18th, and an open water swim in the Asi River on July 20th. Those who complete all four Maccabi Run races or all four MaccabiMan/Woman events will be recognized with a special honor and the official Maccabiah title, joining the ranks of standout athletes.

Maccabiah 2025 Ambassadors
For the first time, Maccabiah 2025 is creating an ambassador team made up of Olympic athletes, champions in their fields with impressive achievements and a deep Zionist spirit. These ambassadors embody the values of Maccabiah and represent the powerful connection between sports, excellence, and Zionism. Each ambassador has a story of perseverance, hard work, and success, inspiring athletes and the next generation of the Jewish community worldwide:

Judo athlete Peter Paltchik, Olympic bronze medalist in Paris 2024, team bronze medalist in Tokyo 2020, former European champion, and world medalist; Raz Hershko, Olympic silver medalist in Paris 2024, reigning European champion, and world medalist; Asaf Yessour, Paralympic taekwondo champion in Paris 2024, two-time world champion, and European champion; Moran Samuel, who transitioned from basketball to become an outstanding rower. Samuel is a Paralympic champion in Paris 2024, silver medalist in Tokyo 2020, and bronze medalist in Rio 2016, and serves as a member of the Maccabi World Union Secretariat; Artem Dolgopyat, one of Israel’s greatest athletes, Olympic gold medalist in Tokyo 2020, Olympic silver medalist in Paris 2024, world champion, and two-time European champion in floor gymnastics, who has put Israel on the global map in gymnastics.

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