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At the beginning of July, the Maccabiah, the world’s largest Jewish sporting event, will take place. EL AL is proud to be part of the journey, bringing Maccabiah athletes and Jewish communities from around the world to Israel for this special occasion. The Maccabiah 2026 Games will officially open on July 1st, with a festive opening ceremony at the Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem. Participants from across the globe will arrive in Israel to take part in this Maccabiah 2026: victory, strength, and unity message of hope and unity, reflecting the renewed bond between Israel and the Jewish Diaspora - at a time when this connection is more meaningful than ever. This year, the Maccabiah will host thousands of athletes from dozens of countries, competing across a variety of sports disciplines in four different categories. From July 1st to July 13th, Israel will become an international hub of sports and culture, with competitions, finals, and special events taking place across the country. As a key partner of the Maccabiah, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL–JNF), together with the Maccabiah, is organizing “Gaza Envelope Day” - a day that aims to connect sports, remembrance, and community resilience. Thousands of athletes from Israel and across the world will not only be competing, but also taking part in a journey that aims to bridge the pain brought on by exciting sports celebration. This year’s Maccabiah slogan, MORE THAN EVER, conveys a

Photo: Ronen Topelberg

The Maccabiah ambassadors: Asaf Yasur a Paralympic champion and world champion para taekwondo athlete and Raz Hershko an Olympic silver medalist and European champion judoka

October 7 and the ongoing process of recovery, and the renewal and rebuilding of local communities. The day will include a wide range of sports events, tours of memorial sites, and KKL–JNF activities, the opportunity to meet with locals, take part in volunteering initiatives, and a local farmers’ market. All of this creates a powerful shared experience that reflects the power of Israeli resilience and the Jewish People’s mutual support for one another. Another major attraction is the “Maccabiah Expo City” in Tel Aviv, a first-of-its-kind sports village in Israel. Over five days, from July 6-10, the Tel Aviv Expo complex will be transformed into an open sports festival open to the general public, featuring competitions, performances, activity zones, and

interactive experiences for the whole family. Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to come and take part in this unique Israeli and international sports celebration. As a proud partner of the Maccabiah, EL AL, Israel’s national airline, is accompanying Maccabiah athletes and Jewish communities on their journey to Israel. For decades, EL AL has connected Israel with Jewish communities worldwide, in normal times and in moments of emergency, thus reflecting the core values of the Maccabiah: pride, excellence, unity, and Jewish identity. EL AL is honored to be part of this journey, at a time when this connection carries even deeper meaning.

Want to join and be part of the experience too? Get tickets to the “Maccabiah Expo City” at:

32 ATMOSPHERE JUNE 2026