Maccabiah Games Postponed Until 2026

Thousands of Jewish athletes from dozens of nations had been expected to stream into Israel last week for the 22nd Maccabiah Games, the largest and most extravagant edition of the “Jewish Olympics.” The opening ceremony, slated for July 10 at Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium and hosted by popular television personalities, Anna Aronov and Assi Azar, had a star-studded lineup featuring Israeli musicians Itay Levy, Eden Golan, and Idan Raichel. Paralympic gold medalist Asaf Yasur and Olympic silver medalist Raz Hershko were all set to light the ceremonial torch.

Unfortunately, no such grand athletic events and festivities actually happened — at least not this summer.

Back in June, the Maccabi World Union, the Maccabiah Organizing Committee, and Israel’s Culture and Sports Minister, Miki Zohar, officially postponed The Maccabiah Games to July 2026 amidst heightened tensions triggered by the Israel-Iran conflict. The organizers felt compelled to push back this year’s games after a state of national emergency was declared — and later extended through at least June 30 — and travel to and from Israel was severely restricted. It was a heartbreaking decision, but ultimately one that was undeniably necessary.

“Despite our strong desire to hold the Maccabiah [Games] in the summer of 2025 as a symbol of hope, we are forced to postpone it due to the complex security situation created by the attack on Iran, the instructions of the Home Front Command, the continued suspension of flights to Israel, and the necessary security measures required of all of us,” Maccabiah’s chair, Assaf Goren, said in a statement. “Together with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, and after considering several alternatives, we realized that although we are almost at the starting line, the most prudent step from a security, safety, and logistical perspective is to postpone the event by a year to a quieter and safer time.”

Stated Amir Gissin, CEO of the Maccabi World Union, “We are obviously very disappointed after so many people invested hundreds of thousands of man-hours in making this happen, but there was consensus from our partners around the world that this was the most responsible decision.”

Last month’s postponement marks the second consecutive one for the Maccabiah Games, which have traditionally been held every four years in Israel since their inception in March 1932 when 390 athletes from 18 countries competed in Tel Aviv. While COVID was responsible for postponing the 2021 Games to summer 2022, this year marks the first time the Games had to be moved due to a security concern. Whereas athletes and their families, volunteers, and employees had several months to accept that the 2021 Games needed to be bumped back a year due to the pandemic, this year’s rescheduling came about merely weeks before competition was to get underway.

Though there is a collective understanding of the grave geopolitical implications of the ongoing conflict, hundreds of athletes who have been training multiple times per week for months on end will find themselves aged out of the under-18 division when the Maccabiah Games are played next summer. It is possible that the Maccabiah leaders may be flexible in loosening age restrictions for the 2026 Games — along that same vein, USA Fencing welcomed late entrants to the USA Fencing Summer Nationals, held in Milwaukee earlier this summer, and waived late fees for participants affected by the Maccabiah Games cancellation — but for now scores of would-be Maccabiah athletes, many of whom have never been to Israel, have had their dreams dashed.

Additionally, the 2025 Games, under the “More Than Ever” slogan, were expected to take on greater meaning following the Oct. 7 tragedy and subsequent Israel-Hamas war.  Added Goren, “The Maccabiah 2025 was meant to be a symbol of hope, restoration, and resilience for the Jewish people after one of the most difficult years in our generation.”

Such powerful symbolism promised to make this year’s Maccabiah Games a touchstone event in the history of Israeli culture. But from a short-term, more pragmatic perspective, the missed economic boon is considerable. This year’s Olympic-style Maccabiah competition had a record number of host cities, including Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Jerusalem, Haifa, Herzliya, Sderot, along with several towns near the Gaza border. For the first time in nearly a century, Tel Aviv-Jaffa was the central host city, with its sprawling sports and culture complex, Expo Maccabiah City, serving as a hub for interactive exhibitions, engaging showcases, and family-friendly activities.

Alas, the financial boost from the onrush of tourism will have to wait until next summer when hopefully, Israel will be better positioned to welcome thousands of sports fans to what has become one of the world’s most magnificent athletic events.

“I want to thank our partners, our sponsors, and especially our incredible staff who worked day and night to bring the 2025 Maccabiah to life,” Goren said. “We will return next year, not just with a sporting event, but with a celebration of Jewish identity, perseverance, and unity that will be more powerful than ever before.”