2026 Maccabiah Opening Ceremony Ticket Links + FAQ

FAQ – Please Read Before Buying Tickets

Where can I purchase Opening Ceremony tickets?

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets in the USA Supporters sections. If these sell out, you can purchase tickets in the general ticket section (CLICK HERE). 

What should I wear to the Opening Ceremony?

Don’t forget to bring your Maccabi USA swag to cheer on our delegation with pride! We unfortunately don’t have merchandise for sale in Israel, so make sure to pack your red, white, and blue. (Note: Anyone joining a Maccabi USA travel package will receive apparel before departing for Israel.)

Custom Maccabiah/Maccabi USA jewelry is also available HERE from our partners at Hampden Sports (owned by a Maccabi USA family). You can engrave necklaces and dog tags with your sport, name, jersey number, and/or date. For every item sold, a donation is made to Maccabi USA!

When and where is the Opening Ceremony?

Wednesday, July 1, at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem. Gates open at 5 pm and the ceremony is scheduled to start at 7 pm. 

Who needs to buy Opening Ceremony tickets and who already has them included?

• Maccabi USA Supporters Travel Package Participants (Gold, Silver, and Bronze): Do NOT need to buy tickets–these are included with the package. Please CLICK HERE to learn more and/or register to join.
• Maccabi USA Delegation Members (i.e. Athletes, Coaches, Managers, Trainers, Doctors, etc.): Do NOT need to buy tickets, as they are marching into the stadium.
• Registered Companions of Masters Athletes: Need to buy tickets, as they are not included with registration.
• Kids 3 and Older: Need to buy tickets.
• Kids 2 and Younger: Do NOT need a ticket, but they do have to sit on a parent’s lap for the entire ceremony
  • If you are bringing any children 2 or younger, you MUST email Michele Cypes at Maccabi World Union (tickets@maccabi.org) to let her know your name, ticket section number, and the number of children with you.
  • Note that the festivities go late so it may be a difficult night for younger children.
  • Strollers are not permitted.

How much do tickets cost?

Tickets range from 118 Shekels (~$38) to 1800 Shekels (~$580), with price points in between.

While this is not advertised on the ticket website, the 1800 Shekel seats are within the Maccabi World Union (MWU) VIP area, where dignitaries, ambassadors, and sponsors will be seated. VIP ticket holders are required to bring their passport to enter this section, and MWU will email those who purchase these tickets ahead of time to let you know. Those who purchase these seats will each receive a lanyard and VIP badge as well as a Maccabiah gift bag containing memorabilia with the 2026 Maccabiah logo such as a baseball cap, beach towel, water bottle, socks, and pins. 

How can I purchase wheelchair-accessible seating?

Maccabi World Union requests that you email Michele Cypes directly to reserve these tickets: tickets@maccabi.org. Wheelchair-accessible tickets will be 1+1, meaning one ticket is for the person requiring the seating and the adjacent seat is for a family member or friend.  

What is the best way to get to Teddy Stadium for the Opening Ceremony?

• If you are joining a Maccabi USA supporters travel package, we will take you via bus to and from the event.
• If you are a registered companion of a Masters athlete, buses from team hotels will take you to/from the Opening Ceremony. Credentials will be required to board the buses.
• If you are attending on your own, please note that security will be extensive and roads will be closed for several blocks around the stadium. Maccabi World Union will set up “Park & Ride” areas where public transportation and taxis can drop you off, and where you will subsequently board shuttle buses to the stadium. The light rail is also an option. Note that it can be difficult to find taxis once the ceremony ends. Just like any sporting event, there will be many people trying to return home around the same time.  

Anyone buying Opening Ceremony tickets will receive an email from Leann (the ticketing agency) about one week prior to the event with more detailed information about transportation, traffic, and how to get to the stadium.  

Can I buy a ticket and seat on the Maccabi USA Gold, Silver, or Bronze supporters travel buses?

Unfortunately, this cannot be purchased a la carte. For Maccabi USA to purchase your ticket and provide bus transportation, you have to join a full travel package. 

Is the Opening Ceremony ticket digital or hard copy?

You will receive a confirmation email with your e-ticket shortly after purchase. You can print your ticket, but you do NOT have to, and showing your digital e-ticket on your phone will suffice to enter the stadium.  

If you do not see the confirmation email after your purchase, please make sure to check your Spam/Junk folder, and if it is still not there, please email Michele Cypes at: tickets@maccabi.org. 

What is the refund policy?

Ticket sales, process, distribution, etc. are all run by Leann and Maccabi World Union (the Maccabiah organizers). If the Maccabiah gets cancelled for any reason, they will offer you the opportunity to request a refund. If the Maccabiah takes place, their default rule is no refunds, but they will consider refund requests on a case-by-case basis (e.g. you decide not to travel to Israel because the athlete you were planning to support gets injured and can no longer participate).  

To request a refund, please email Michele Cypes at: tickets@maccabi.org.  

If I am having technical issues with the website, can’t find my ticket confirmation, or have other issues buying tickets, who should I contact?

Since Maccabi World Union is overseeing tickets, please direct your questions to Michele Cypes at: tickets@maccabi.org. 

Will there be a chance to purchase Closing Ceremony tickets?

The Closing Ceremony is the evening of July 13 and is closed to the public. Only the Maccabi USA delegation members will be able to attend.