2026 Maccabiah All-In-One Answers
FORMS & REGISTRATION
CAMPDOC
Maccabi USA uses CampDoc to collect all required personal, medical, and travel documents. Both returning and new delegation members are required to complete all CampDoc forms. Please read and sign the Information & FAQ forms for crucial deadlines and details.
You can access your CampDoc form HERE on by clicking the button above.
Please reach out to our Registrar Sara Lemma with any questions.
FLIGHTS
For answer to general questions regarding Maccabiah flights, please click HERE.
VISA
Except for Israeli citizens, travelers from select nations (including the USA) must obtain an ETA-IL (Visa) before arriving in Israel. The current price for the ETA-IL is 25 NIS and is valid for two years. If you renewed or made changes to your passport after completing the ETA-IL application, you need to submit a new application.
SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that allows American citizens and nationals to enroll their trip abroad so that the Department of State can accurately and quickly contact those who register in case of an emergency. We recommend you enroll in the STEP Program before your travel to Israel this summer to receive:
– Live updates about health, safety, weather and security in their travel country
– Plan ahead with information from the U.S. Embassy
– Help the embassy or consulate contact you in case of emergency
ROOT ONE
Maccabi USA is thrilled to announce that we have received a grant from RootOne, a philanthropic program that helps cover participation costs for athletes currently enrolled in grades 9-12 to experience Israel. As a result of this grant, all our high school athletes (regardless of financial need) who participate in the RootOne program will receive a $3,000 voucher paid directly to Maccabi USA after the completion of the Maccabiah.
For New Athletes Following the Postponement:
The first step in this process is to complete the application with RootOne by clicking here.
- You must be a current 9th through 12th grade student for the 2025-2026 school year to be eligible.
- If you received a need-based scholarship from Maccabi USA for the 2026 Maccabiah, you must register and complete RootOne to receive your scholarship.
- If you intend to apply for need-based scholarship, you must first register for RootOne and complete your required coursework to receive your scholarship
By completing the registration process with RootOne, you are committing to registering for the educational programming by April 1 and completing it by May 1 to receive this funding. RootOne participants who do not fulfill the educational requirements or do not fully participate in the Maccabi USA delegation to the Maccabiah will be responsible for the final $3,000 of the registration fee.
If you’ve already paid in full, Maccabi USA will issue you a $3,000 refund check within 60 days of the completion of the 2025 Maccabiah Games. The funding through RootOne will serve as a voucher for participation in the Maccabiah, but should you wish to be considered for scholarship funds above this, you will still need to go through the official Maccabi USA scholarship application process.
For Returning Athletes:
- Please reapply to RootOne here using the same credentials as last year.
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After completing the first few pages of the application and entering the same email address used last year, the remaining information should automatically populate. Please review the application to ensure all information has populated correctly and complete or update any missing fields as necessary.
Please contact Maccabi USA Program Assistant Bennett Werbel at bwerbel@maccabiusa.com with any questions.
e-SIM CARDS
All Maccabi USA Participants are required to have a mobile phone with data (not just hotel WiFi) while in Israel. Maccabi USA has partnered with 019 Mobile as our preferred provider for international E-SIMs. Before ordering please be sure that your phone is unlocked for international use and and will support an e-SIM. Participants may use the international calling plan with their USA provider or choose any provider for international mobile data of their choosing.
THIS IS FOR ATHLETES & TRAVELING FAMILY MEMBERS ONLY.
Coaches & Staff should contact Shane Carr to order their e-SIM cards.
EVENT INFORMATION
OPENING CEREMONY
Tickets for the Maccabiah Opening Ceremony in Jerusalem are now available! Click on the link above to read the Opening Ceremony FAQ and to purchase tickets for the event. If you are currently signed up for any of the Maccabiah Supporters Travel Packages, you will not need to purchase Opening Ceremony tickets as they are included in the package.
HOTELS
Hotel information will be confirmed in the Spring of 2026.
Check back for updates.
U15/U17/U19 SHABBAT SIGN-OUT
U15, U17 & U19 athletes may be checked out by a pre-approved individual on Shabbat (7/3-4 & 7/10-11) only if a parent or guardian completes this form in advance. The individual checking the athlete out must be 21 years of age or older.
A form and check-in/out procedures and times will be available in the Spring of 2026.
SUPPORTERS TRAVEL PACKAGES
The Maccabiah will be the largest gathering of Diaspora Jewry in Israel since October 7th, but it isn’t just for athletes. Maccabi USA and our long-time partners at Gil Travel offer 3 different travel packages that will ensure you get to see your loved ones compete while also having a life-changing experience in our ancient homeland. Each option provides different activities, transportation levels, and price points, but all place you in Israel’s best hotels around other Maccabi families, get you a premium Opening Ceremony experience, and include amazing activities and events for all ages.
- GOLD Mission: June 26-July 6 (Tel Aviv + Jerusalem + Your Competition City)
- SILVER Supporters: June 29-July 6 (Jerusalem + Your Competition City)
- BRONZE Friends & Family: June 29-July 6 (Jerusalem + Your Competition City)
Your ‘Competition City’ will be the city closest to where your loved ones compete (Haifa, Jerusalem, or Tel Aviv). Additionally, Gil Travel is happy to extend your accommodations in Israel beyond July 6 if you wish to stay longer.
SEND-OFF EVENTS
We are organizing send-off parties around the country, where Maccabiah athletes, families, and volunteers can get to know their teammates, listen to alumni share their experiences, and build bonds and excitement for an incredibly meaningful summer. We are looking for volunteer hosts so please mail maccabi@maccabiusa.com to volunteer.
APPAREL & WHAT TO PACK
APPAREL STORE
The official M25 Maccabi USA Apparel Store has closed. Presale orders placed before March 1st will arrive in June before the Games. There are no refunds or exchanges for purchases.
USA Team Members who already received your USA Team Package. You will not be receiving a new apparel package and all apparel will keep the same 2025 Maccabiah logo. Note: if you need to replace competitive uniforms, you will be receiving a link to purchase replacements (restricted to team members only).
USA Team Members who are new to the team and have not received your USA Team Package. New team members will be receiving this USA Team package and your competitive uniform automatically in May based on the sizes you’ve provided in CampDoc.
SUGGESTED PACKING LIST
Click on the link above for a list of items to pack for Israel this summer.
MEDIA
MACCABI MEDIA COVERAGE
The Maccabi Media Program will take a team of 18 students and several mentors to Israel to provide comprehensive coverage of the 2026 Maccabiah through live game streams, video features, written articles and extensive social media. Click on the link above to follow our daily coverage.
STREAMING INFORMATION
Maccabi Media students will produce 10-15 live game streams featuring play-by-play announcers, color analysts, sideline reporters and a full production crew as part of their career-development program. Maccabi World Union organizers also intend to stream games (likely video only) and these games will be announced shortly after the entire M25 game schedule is revealed in June.
Unfortunately, not every MUSA team games will be streamed given there are 96 Maccabi USA teams competing in 30+ sports and the logistics and venues involved. Coaches and families are encouraged to arrange their own streaming or game records, but please use the above link for streaming tips & suggestions or you can reach out to Maccabi USA Digital Media Director Neal Slotkin for additional assistance.
M25 PLAYER CARDS
It’s time to celebrate your upcoming trip to Israel for the Maccabiah by making your own M25 Player Card. Just clink the link above and use our template to build your own MUSA collectible by adding your name, photo and level/category/sport. After creating a free Canva account, you can download the player card and post it on your social media accounts. Just be sure to tag @maccabiusa so we can share it too.
Some tips after inserting your photo and name:
FIRST write your competition level: U15, U17, U19, Open or Masters
(For Masters, feel free to include your age group 35+, 45+, 55+, 60+ if it applies)
NEXT add your category: Men’s, Women’s, Boys’ or Girls’
(Some sports like Golf, Tennis, Chess, Pickleball, and Padel are co-ed so just skip this step. BUT take notice of the ‘s for Men’s/Women’s or s’ for Boys’/Girls’)
FINALLY add your Sport or Position (Ex. Soccer, Baseball, Volleyball, Rugby, Accommodations Manager, Nurse, etc.)
Examples:
U17 Boys’ Futsal, U19 Boys’ Baseball, U19 Track & Field
U17 Girls’ Volleyball, U17 Girls’ Gymnastics, U17 Tennis
Masters Men’s 45+ Soccer, Masters Swimming, Masters Ice Hockey
Open Women’s Basketball, Open Men’s Water Polo, Open Fencing
M25 POSTPONEMENT FAQ (FROM JULY 2025)
