Johannesburg will come alive with the energy of young athletes, proud families and an incredible sense of community as the inaugural Maccabi SA National Junior Games takes place from 22–25 September 2026.

Designed to bring Jewish youth together from across South Africa, the Games will celebrate sport, friendship, teamwork and Jewish identity. More than just a sporting competition, the event will create an unforgettable experience where participants can challenge themselves, build lifelong friendships and proudly represent their schools, clubs and communities.

This year’s Games hold particular significance for the Maccabi community. Following the postponement of the Maccabiah Games in 2025, many young athletes eagerly anticipated the rescheduled Games in 2026. However, due to ongoing security concerns and other logistical challenges, the difficult decision was made not to send a South African junior delegation to Israel.

While this was understandably disappointing for many young athletes and their families, Maccabi South Africa was determined to create a meaningful opportunity closer to home. The Maccabi SA National Junior Games were established to ensure that young Jewish athletes could still experience the excitement of competition, the pride of representing their community, and the friendships, values and sense of belonging that have always been at the heart of the Maccabi movement.

Over four exciting days, participants will compete across a range of sporting and cultural disciplines while embracing the unique spirit of Maccabi, where friendships are formed, confidence is built and memories are made that last a lifetime.

“While nothing replaces the experience of competing on the international stage, we wanted to ensure our young athletes still had something truly special to look forward to,” says Darryn Edinburg, Tournament Director.

“The Maccabi SA National Junior Games are about so much more than competition. They are about bringing our youth together, giving them the opportunity to challenge themselves, represent something bigger than themselves and experience the incredible spirit that makes Maccabi so special. We are proud to be creating what we hope will become a flagship event for Jewish youth in South Africa.”

Cliff Garrun, Chairperson of Maccabi South Africa, adds: “The Junior Games are an investment in the future of our community. Our responsibility extends beyond international competition. It is about creating opportunities for young people to grow, lead, compete and build lasting connections through shared experiences. We are incredibly proud to launch what we believe will become a cornerstone event on the Maccabi calendar and look forward to welcoming athletes, families and supporters to this exciting inaugural event.”

While planning is well underway behind the scenes, this is only the beginning.

Over the coming weeks, Maccabi South Africa will reveal more about the sporting and cultural disciplines, venues, registration details and everything participants can look forward to as the countdown to September begins.

Save the date: 22–25 September 2026.

Registrations will open soon, with further announcements to follow in the coming weeks.

For the latest updates and announcements, follow Maccabi South Africa on Facebook, Instagram & X

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