Sports for the 22nd Maccabiah Games, Israel 2025

Maccabi Canada is considering participation in the following sports. All sports and categories listed are tentative as of February 2024, and may be subject to change or cancellation. Other sports, not listed here, may be added.

If a sport does not meet the following criteria the sport will be cancelled.

1. Minimum number of countries required to hold a tournament (4 countries)
2. Minimum number of athletes to support a team from Canada

For additional information click the links:

Age Categories

Standards / Qualifications by sport

Sport	Junior-Boys (2007-2010)	Junior-Girls (2007-2010)	Open-M  Men	Open-W  Women	Masters-M   Men	Masters-W  Women
Baseball
Basketball	U16 2009-2010 U18 2007-2008	U16 2009-2010 U18 2007-2008			Category 35+ Category 45+
Beach Volleyball	U16 2009-2010 U18 2007-2008	U16 2009-2010 U18 2007-2008
Catchball
Cycling
Football (Soccer)	U16 2009-2010 U18 2007-2008	U16 2009-2010 U18 2007-2008			Category 35+
Golf					Category 50+	Category 50+
Artistic Gymnastics	2007-2010	2010-2011
Rhythmic Gymnastics		2010-2011
Half Marathon, 10K
Ice Hockey					Category 40+
Judo
Karate
Maccabi man/woman
Pickleball
Softball					Category 35+
Squash					Category 35+
Swimming	2009-2011	2009-2012			Category 35+	Category 35+
Table Tennis					Category 35+
Taekwondo
Tennis	U16 2009-2010 U18 2007-2008	U16 2009-2010 U18 2007-2008			Category 35+
Track & Field
Volleyball	U16 2009-2010 U18 2007-2008	U16 2009-2010 U18 2007-2008
Waterpolo
Wrestling

Age Categories

There are three age categories at the Games: Junior, Open and Masters. In all categories athletes can play-up (i.e. play in an older age category) but cannot play down. Some sports are only offered in the Open category, in these cases Junior and Masters age athletes who wish to compete in these sports and qualify, are included in the Open competition.

Junior – Juniors Athletes for the Maccabiah Games for most sports are athletes born between 2007-2010. The minimum age to participate in the Games is 15 years old for most sports. In some sports such as Gymnastics and Swimming, and in some cases such as exceptionally talented athletes, an exception can be made to allow younger athletes to compete. The decision to allow a younger athlete to participate in the Games is at the discretion of Maccabi Canada, and must be approved by the organizing committee. Some Junior age athletes may be selected to play on an Open team *.

Junior Category is divided into two age divisions for most team sports**:
U16 – athletes born between 2009-2010 
U18 – athletes born between 2007-2008

**Swim team:

Boys: born between 2009-2011
Girls: Born between 2009-2012

**Gymnastics team:

Boys: born between 2007-2010
Girls born between 2010-2011

**Rhythmic Gymnastics female athletes born between 2010-2011

Open – The Open competition is the main event at the Games. Open athletes are 19 years and older at the time of the Games. This age category is for high level athletes who have qualified to make the teams. Generally, the Open category consists of athletes who are in their 20’s and in some cases may include talented Junior and Masters age athletes.

Masters – Masters athletes are 35 years and older at the Games (Hockey Masters are 40+, Golf masters are 50+). Within the Masters tournament many sports are divided into sub-categories based on age. Masters athletes may enjoy some privileges not offered to Open and Junior athletes such as making their own travel and accommodation arrangements. Some Masters age athletes may qualify and be selected to play on an Open team*.

* Junior and Masters age athletes who have qualified and been selected to participate in an Open sport are considered Open athletes and will be governed by the Open policies.