Athlete Eligibility
Eligibility
- Athletes must be Jewish
- Athletes must be ages 12–17 by August 2, 2026
- Athletes may only participate in one sport
- Athletes must commit to attending the entire week of the Games
Age Divisions for Team Sports
- 15U Division: Ages 13–15
- 17U Division: Ages 13–17
Host Family Requirement
- Families of local athletes are required to host at least two (2) visiting athletes from other delegations in their home. Learn more about being a host family.
Tryout for Toronto Delegation
Tryouts for the Toronto delegation are open to Jewish teenage athletes in Toronto or the GTA.
- Tryouts are mandatory to participate in the games.
- Athletes are only required to attend one tryout per sport.
- Attending more than one tryout will not increase an athlete’s chances of making a team.
- Athletes are highly encouraged to try out for more than one sport.
- Athletes are required to attend one tryout date per sport.
- All JCC Maccabi Games® local delegation athletes must have a valid health card and be up-to-date on all vaccinations per Ontario’s Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule. Proof of both will be required to participate.
Sports
Don’t miss your opportunity to get in the games and join Toronto’s 2026 Local Delegation!
Soccer
Basketball
Dance
VollEyball
3x3 Basketball
Swimming
Tennis
Golf
Hockey
Softball
Basketball
Track
Your FAQs, Answered
What are the eligibility requirements for an athlete to participate in the JCC Maccabi Games®?
All JCC Maccabi Games® athletes must be Jewish and meet one of the following criteria:
- born to at least one Jewish parent or Jewish by choice and is raised according to Jewish culture and tradition
- between the ages of 13 and 17 as of August 2, 2026
- local athlete families must house a minimum of two (2) visiting athletes
Do athletes compete at an elite level?
The JCC Maccabi Games® is an inclusive experience with the goal of strengthening Jewish communities. The JCC Maccabi Games® were designed with all teenage athletes in mind offering a wide range of participation opportunities including individual or team sports or the unique Star Report journalism program.
What are the eligibility requirements to try out for the Toronto delegation?
Tryouts for the Toronto delegation are open to Jewish teenage athletes residing in Toronto or the GTA.
All JCC Maccabi Games® local delegation athletes must be Jewish and meet one of the following criteria:
- born to at least one Jewish parent or Jewish by choice and is raised according to Jewish culture and tradition
between the ages of 13 and 17 as of August 2, 2026 - local athlete families must house a minimum of two (2) visiting athletes
- All JCC Maccabi Games® local delegation athletes must have a valid health card and be up-to-date on all vaccinations per Ontario’s Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule. Proof of both will be required to participate in the JCC Maccabi Games®.
When are tryouts for the 2026 JCC Maccabi Games Toronto delegation?
Tryouts will be scheduled for Fall 2025.
Once finalized, the tryout schedule will be posted to this website. In the meantime, please register here to receive email updates for tryouts.
Are tryouts mandatory to compete in the JCC Maccabi Games®?
Yes. All athletes interested in joining their local delegation must attend tryouts.
Are athletes required to attend every scheduled tryout date?
No. Athletes are only required to attend one tryout per sport. Attending more than one tryout will not increase an athlete’s chances of making a team.
Can athletes try out for more than one sport?
Yes. Athletes are highly encouraged to try out for more than one sport. Athletes are required to attend one tryout date per sport.
Can athletes compete in more than one sport?
No. While athletes may try out for more than one sport, they can compete in only one (1) sport at the JCC Maccabi Games®.
What if an athlete cannot attend a tryout date?
Please contact Mark Goldberg, JCC Maccabi Games® Delegation Head – mark@torontojccmaccabi.com
My teen made the team. What happens next?
Congratulations!
To secure an athlete’s spot on a team, a non-refundable deposit is due within two weeks. If a deposit payment has not been received within two weeks, then it is assumed that an athlete is forfeiting their spot on the team and the spot may be offered to another athlete.
Once an athlete has paid the non-refundable deposit, the parents/guardians of the athlete will receive communications guiding them through a multi-step registration process including credentials information, medical forms, agreements, and waivers. All steps of the registration process are completed online with specific submission deadlines.
Athletes will be required to attend team gatherings and practices as scheduled by coaches.
Prepare your home to welcome visiting athletes. Local athlete families must house a minimum of two (2)visiting athletes. Learn more about this exciting opportunity here.
My teen did not make the team. What happens next?
Athletes who do not have the opportunity to compete in their preferred sport or on their preferred team will be offered an opportunity to compete as an individual athlete or encouraged to try out for another team sport.
Do athletes need to be a member of a JCC to be an athlete at the JCC Maccabi Games®?
No. The JCC Maccabi Games® are a community-wide opportunity available to Jewish teenagers who meet the eligibility requirements.
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