Courtesy: Maccabi USA
Philadelphia, PA – Maccabi USA is seeking Jewish coaches and swimmers to represent the United States at the 2026 Maccabiah Games in Israel, June 30 – July 21, 2026. Maccabi USA will be fielding teams at the U17 age division (ages 15-17) for boys and girls, Open age division (ages 19-35) for men and women, and Masters age division (ages 35+) for men and women. To see eligibility guidelines and how to apply please visit www.maccabiusa.com.
According to Doug Markoff, Maccabi USA Aquatics Commissioner, “Having been a coach and volunteer with Maccabi USA for over 15 years, the Maccabiah is one of the most meaningful and life-changing events I have ever been a part of. The Games get better one after another, and 2026 will be no different.
The Maccabiah is the second largest sporting event in the world, and Swimming is always one of the most contested and elite competitions at the Games.” All our Swimming team members will be part of the overall USA Team – that will be 1,300+ members strong – and the largest Maccabiah yet.
The 2026 Maccabiah will be the world’s second largest international sporting event and will consist of over 10,000 athletes from 80 countries participating in over 40 different sports. To learn more about the sports and age divisions offered, please visit www.maccabiusa.com.
The Maccabiah Games is more than an international sporting competition; it is a celebration of Jewish culture, unity and pride. Israel Connect, Maccabi USA’s unique cultural and educational program takes place for seven days following the formal conclusion of the Games. All Junior, Open and Paralympic athletes participate in the program where they have the opportunity to tour historical and religious sites, take part in cultural identity seminars and train with their teams, all while developing lifelong relationships.
Previous Maccabiah participants from the USA have included Anthony Ervin, Jason Lezak, Lenny Krayzelburg, Garrett Weber-Gale, Mark Spitz and many more national level athletes.
ABOUT THE MACCABIAH – Traditionally held every four years, the first Maccabiah took place in Israel in 1932 with athletes from 18 countries. By 2017, the games grew to include nearly 10,000 Jewish athletes from more than 60 countries, making it the second largest international multi-sport event, and one of the largest gatherings of the Jewish diaspora around the globe. In July 2022, Maccabi USA sent its largest-ever delegation of more than 1,300 to Israel, larger than the traditional USA Olympic Team.
ABOUT MACCABI USA – Maccabi USA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with an extensive history of enriching Jewish lives through athletic, cultural and educational programs. Maccabi USA is the official sponsor of the United States team to the World Maccabiah Games, the Pan American and European Maccabi Games, and the Maccabi Youth Games, as well as a sponsor of the JCC Maccabi Games for teens in North America.
