Itay Levy, Yuval Raphael, Eden Golan, Idan Raichel, and Shahar Saul will perform at the Opening Ceremony of the 2025 Maccabiah. The ceremony will be hosted by Anna Aronov and Assi Azar. Raz Hershko and Asaf Yasur will light the Maccabiah torch.
Ramat Gan – The countdown to Maccabiah 2025 got underway this evening (Sunday, June 8, 2025) with an event at Kfar Maccabiah, attended by about 100 guests, strategic partners, and the Maccabiah ambassador team. At the event, the first details were shared about the official opening ceremony, which will take place on Thursday, July 10, at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem. The opening ceremony will be hosted by Anna Aronov and Assi Azar and will feature performances by some of Israel’s most prominent artists: Itay Levy, Yuval Raphael, Eden Golan, Idan Raichel, and Shahar Saul.
The torch will be carried to the stage by medal-winning athletes and Maccabiah 2025 ambassadors Asaf Yasur and Raz Hershko.
It was also announced that the Maccabiah is returning to Tel Aviv-Jaffa, nearly one hundred years after it was first held there. Alongside Jerusalem, Herzliya, and Haifa, Tel Aviv-Jaffa will host sports such as beach volleyball, wave surfing, rhythmic gymnastics, artistic gymnastics, 3x3 basketball, and rugby. In addition, a sports experience complex called Expo Maccabiah City — Israel’s Sports City — will be built for the first time. The complex will include interactive sports facilities, sporting performances, competitions, family activities, innovation and technology exhibitions, and more. The “Maccabiah City Expo” will be held over five days, from July 14–18.
Said Ron Huldai, Mayor of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, “Tel Aviv-Jaffa is proud to host the Maccabiah — an international sporting event that connects Jewish communities from all corners of the globe and strengthens the sense of belonging to Israel. Our city, which champions freedom, openness, and progress, is a natural stage for the celebration of sporting spirit and global Jewish unity. Especially during this period, sports remind us of the power of partnership, pride, and connection — values that have accompanied the Jewish people through the ages and are so powerfully expressed here, in Tel Aviv-Jaffa and in the State of Israel.”
The launch event was attended by, among others: Chairman of Maccabi World Union, Amir Peled; CEO of Maccabi World Union, Amir Gissin; CEO of Maccabiah, Roi Hessing; and the Maccabiah team of ambassadors: Peter Paltchik, Olympic bronze medalist in Paris 2024; Raz Hershko, Olympic silver medalist in Paris 2024; Asaf Yasur, Paralympic champion in Taekwondo Paris 2024; and Moran Samuel, Paralympic champion in rowing at Paris 2024, Paralympic champion at Tokyo 2020, and Paralympic medalist at Rio 2016.
“Maccabiah 2025 is a symbol of our hope, restoration, and resilience as a people after the most difficult period we have experienced in this generation,” said Assaf Goren, Chairman of the Maccabiah. “With a record number of host cities and municipalities, the Maccabiah is a direct contribution to Israel’s economy and tourism during such a challenging time. We are pleased to see the response from much of the world, even in this challenging and complex period, and we look forward to hosting thousands of athletes who will come to compete, discover, and get to know Israel — now, more than ever.”
“I would like to thank our many partners, especially the Israeli government led by the Ministry of Culture and Sports, for the great support we receive from national institutions and commercial companies that help us make the Maccabiah so big and powerful. Maccabiah 2025 will emphasize the importance of the relationship between the State of Israel and Diaspora Jewry and give us all hope for the future, while commemorating the events of the October 7th and the Swords of Iron War,” Goren concluded.
The production of the Maccabiah is made possible thanks to cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, along with key partners from the public and business sectors — including Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, Strauss, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Colgate, Azrieli Foundation, Winner, Eldan, El Al, Reebok, Bank Leumi, Expo Tel-Aviv, Neviot, The Jewish Agency for Israel, The Israeli Olympics and Paralympics Association, The World Zionist Organization, Sheba Beyond, the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization, and others.
Local authorities hosting the various competitions include Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Herzliya, Haifa, Jerusalem, Ra'anana, Hadera, Valley of Springs Regional Council, Lod, Caesarea, Sderot, communities of the Gaza envelope, Gezer and Ramat Gan.
Maccabiah 2025 will be held from July 8–22 and will be the most significant in history, with over 8,000 athletes from 55 countries competing in 45 sports. Under the slogan “More Than Ever,” this year’s Maccabiah emphasizes the need for unity, strengthening ties with Diaspora Jewry, and connecting to Israel — today more than ever.
You are invited to follow the M25 Maccabiah and its events on the
www.tiktok.com/@maccabiah?lang=en">TikTok.
To purchase tickets for the opening ceremony, click here.
Photo Ronen Topelberg
