The opening ceremony was held in the presence of President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Sara Netanyahu, Minister of Culture and Sport Miki Zohar, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, Maccabi World Union Chair Amir Peled, Maccabi World Union President Michael Siegal, along with senior public officials, local authority leaders, and representatives of Maccabi organizations from around the world. The event officially launched 13 days of competition, during which thousands of athletes will compete in dozens of sporting disciplines across Israel.
The ceremony began with the traditional Parade of Nations, as delegations from around the world – including the United States, Argentina, Guatemala, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Romania, Colombia, France, Hungary, Poland, and many others – entered the stadium. The parade was accompanied by international content creator and American social media personality Montana Tucker, who performed her original song We're Not Strangers, alongside Israeli musician Michael Harpaz, welcoming Jewish athletes from across the Diaspora.
One of the ceremony's most moving moments paid tribute to the 12 Druze children from Majdal Shams and Ein Qiniyye who were killed in the July 2024 rocket attack on a local soccer field. A representative of the Fakhr al-Din family carried the Maccabiah Flag, which incorporates the emblems of all 22 Maccabiah Games held throughout history, together with Druze athletes representing Israel's Druze community.
Later in the ceremony, the Israeli flag was carried by a group of 15 students who immigrated to Israel in recent years from 11 different countries, including Mexico, Kazakhstan, and Australia. The students participate in SHAHAK, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration's social and community service program, symbolizing the enduring bond between Israel and Jewish communities worldwide.
Photo: Yoav Alon, Maccabiah 2026
The artistic program opened with Yuval Raphael performing Rise Up in a special arrangement created exclusively for the opening ceremony. She was followed by a unique duet from Netta Barzilai and Anna Zak. Later in the evening, Idan Raichel performed a special medley of his songs, joined by former hostage Daniela Gilboa in song and by Idan Alexander, who delivered a moving spoken reading. The ceremony concluded with a large-scale performance by Itay Levy, accompanied by a choir and hundreds of dancers.
Maccabiah CEO Roi Hasing said: "After a year of anticipation, preparation, and determination, we are proud to officially open the Maccabiah 2026. The Maccabiah is a celebration of sport, of the enduring connection between Israel and Jewish communities around the world, and of the values of excellence and friendship. Especially at this moment, we are proud to offer thousands of participants a message of hope, inspiration, and unity."
One of the evening's highlights was the lighting of the Maccabiah Torch. The torchbearers were selected to represent the resilience, achievements, and solidarity of Israeli society and the Jewish people.
Among them was Evitar Zeituni, a wounded Israel Defense Forces veteran and former Paratroopers officer who was seriously injured while defending Kibbutz Kissufim on October 7. He carried the torch as a symbol of recovery, courage, and the healing power of sport. He was joined by Menashe Zalka and Sharan Yeyni, two iconic Israeli football captains recognized for their leadership and sportsmanship, as well as Ofir Shaham, a member of Israel's rhythmic gymnastics team and silver medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, representing a new generation of Israeli athletes whose success demonstrates the power of teamwork and national pride.
The torch was then passed to Asaf Yasur, Paralympic taekwondo gold medalist at Paris 2024, and Inbar Lanir, World Judo Champion and Olympic silver medalist, who together lit the Maccabiah Flame in a symbolic celebration of athletic excellence and the triumph of the human spirit.
Among the sporting highlights of this year's Games, pickleball—one of the world's fastest-growing sports—will make its Maccabiah debut. The football competition will also feature, for the first time, a Masters 35+ Tournament, bringing together legendary Israeli football players under the leadership of coach Zevik Zeltzer.
Beyond the competitions, the opening ceremony marked the beginning of numerous Maccabiah events across the country, including the inaugural Maccabiah City Sports Festival at Expo Tel Aviv. Another major event will be "Maccabiah and KKL-JNF Embrace the Gaza Envelope," a special day in the Tekuma Region featuring community sports activities, volunteer projects, and commemorative events honoring the memory of 18 young men and women who were murdered during the October 7 terrorist attacks or fell during the Iron Swords War.
About Maccabiah 2026
The 2026 Maccabiah Games will take place in Israel from July 1–13, bringing together thousands of athletes, families, and sports fans from around the world. Under the theme "MORE THAN EVER," this year's Games celebrate resilience, hope, and the renewed connection between Israel and Jewish communities worldwide at a time when that bond is more meaningful than ever.
The Maccabiah is made possible through the support of key partners, including the Israeli Ministry of Culture and Sport, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael–Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), which is sponsoring the special "Maccabiah and KKL-JNF Embrace the Gaza Envelope" day of sports and community volunteering, as well as the municipalities of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Herzliya, and Jerusalem, together with additional sponsors including Colgate, Toto, Eldan, Reebok, El Al, Neviot, Mifal HaPais, the Israel Olympic Committee, EcoSup, Clalit Health Services, and Bank Leumi.