Maccabiah launches five-day sports festival at Expo Tel Aviv

For the first time, the Maccabiah is extending its celebrations to the broader Israeli public with a five-day sports festival at Expo Tel Aviv. Dubbed "Expo Maccabiah City," the event aims to transform the venue into an indoor Olympic Village packed with activities, exhibitions, and family-friendly entertainment.

The festival is scheduled to run from July 6-10, coinciding with the summer vacation period. Organizers describe it as an opportunity for visitors to experience the atmosphere of the Maccabiah Games under one air-conditioned roof. The event will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will include a wide array of sports attractions, interactive elements, and live performances.

Organized by Maccabi World Union, the festival's primary goal is to connect Israelis more closely with the Maccabiah experience while offering a destination for families during the school break. Attendees can anticipate participating in various activities, watching professional competitions, meeting Olympic athletes, Ninja stars, and leading gamers, and exploring exhibitions on the history of Jewish sports and emerging sports technologies.

Key attractions include the Children's Maccabiah adventure park with giant inflatable obstacle courses and an athletics challenge. The venue will also host the 2026 Israeli Ninja Championship, featuring top stars from "Ninja Israel." Younger children will have a dedicated area with safe inflatable attractions, arts and crafts, and educational play stations. Additionally, an indoor sand arena will host beach volleyball, footvolley, and matkot competitions, alongside official 3x3 basketball tournaments. The festival will also feature Sport-TECH, Israel's largest sports exhibition, showcasing the latest innovations in fitness and sports technology, and a dedicated gaming arena combining virtual and physical sports experiences.