The upcoming edition of the Maccabiah Games, originally scheduled for July 2025, has been officially postponed to the summer of 2026. The decision was made jointly by the Maccabi World Union, the Maccabiah Organizing Committee, and Israel’s Minister of Culture and Sports, Miki Zohar, in response to escalating regional tensions and the current state of emergency declared in the country. Authorities stated that the current conditions, marked by the Rising Lion military operation and the critical situation with Iran, do not allow for the safe advancement of the event’s preparations.

Organizers expressed that Maccabiah 2025 was meant to be a symbol of hope and resilience for the Jewish people after a particularly painful period, marked by the October 7 attacks. However, after several risk assessments, they determined that the most responsible action, both logistically and ethically, was to postpone the event by one year. “We were nearly at the starting line, but safety comes first,” said Assaf Goren, president of the Maccabiah.

A sporting tradition that adapts to adversity

Known as the “Jewish Olympics“, the Maccabiah Games gather thousands of Jewish athletes from around the world every four years. In 2025, over 8,000 participants from 55 countries were expected to compete in 45 disciplines across cities like Jerusalem, Tel Aviv-Yaffa, Haifa, and Sderot. One of the cornerstones of this edition was to be the creation of Expo Maccabiah City, a cultural and sports hub aimed at reinforcing the spirit of community following recent conflicts.

The announcement of the postponement was well received by major international federations and delegations, including Maccabi GB, which acknowledged the efforts and commitment of athletes up to this point. Although significant costs have already been incurred, organizers are working to mitigate the financial impact and keep planning efforts alive. This marks only the second time in the event’s history that a major delay has occurred — the first being in 2021 due to the pandemic — highlighting the exceptional nature of the current moment. Despite everything, the Maccabi World Union affirmed that the flame of the Maccabiah remains alive and that the Games will return once conditions allow.