Maccabiah Games Kick Off in Jerusalem with 180 Million Shekel Budget and 300 Million Expected Revenue

The opening ceremony of the Maccabiah Games is set for Wednesday evening at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, marking the start of two weeks of events. The total cost of the games is estimated at 180 million shekels, with 63 million shekels funded by the Ministry of Culture. The remaining budget comes from the Maccabi World Union, global donations, and some sponsorships. The opening ceremony alone is estimated to cost 15 million shekels.

Organizers project that the games will generate approximately 300 million shekels in revenue for Israel. Each participating athlete from around the world is expected to spend between 5,000 and 10,000 dollars on flights, accommodation, meals, transportation, and event participation. Originally scheduled for summer 2025, the 22nd Maccabiah was postponed by a year due to the conflict with Iran, resulting in an estimated loss of about 20 million shekels.

Additional news includes the cancellation of tickets for reservists a day before the games and a legal dispute involving Naomi Shemer's family against Nono and Jimbo J, which they described as "disrespectful."