Kansas City | August 2–7, 2026
Since 1982, the JCC Maccabi Games® have offered Jewish teens a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come together through sports, culture, and community. In 2026, Kansas City will welcome a global celebration of Jewish pride, athleticism, and friendship—and Team Richmond wants you on the roster.
More than a sports competition, the JCC Maccabi Games are a movement—designed to:
Inspire Jewish pride through unity, tradition, and identity
Promote fitness and healthy competition in a supportive, team-first environment
Build lifelong friendships with Jewish teens from around the world
Instill core values like sportsmanship, integrity, and tikkun olam (repairing the world)
With thousands of Jewish teens, families, and coaches participating each year, the JCC Maccabi Games are the largest Jewish youth event in the world—a place where young athletes grow not just as competitors, but as leaders and community builders.
From swimming to soccer, baseball to basketball, dance to eSports, there’s a place for every kind of athlete. And while the medals are great, the memories, friendships, and sense of belonging are what truly last.
Whether you’re chasing gold or just excited to meet other Jewish teens and be part of something unforgettable, Team Richmond is your gateway to the Games.
(as of July 31, 2026)
August 2nd – August 7th
25% non-refundable deposit required to secure your spot. Remaining payments will be made in March, May, and July.
Nonrefundable
$705.34 per payment
$758.34 per payment
The JCC Maccabi Games are an international athletic competition for Jewish teenagers run much like the Olympics. Athletes can compete against Jewish teens from all over the United States as well as delegations from Israel, Great Britain, Mexico, Canada, and more.
The Games are played with a focus on “rachmanus” or sportsmanship with the intent to foster long-lasting friendships, memories and connection to Judaism and Israel. This unique event is not only about being a part of the Jewish people; it comes with a mission– to make the world a better place and to make ourselves better people. We express these values or midot to help us remember the greater mission of the Games and Judaism.
We emphasize Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), Kavod (respect), Rina (joy), Ga’ava (pride), Lev Tov (big hearted), and Amiut Yehudit (Jewish peoplehood). The Games also promote community involvement, and teamwork. The Games are one of the largest Jewish teen events in the world; each summer over 3,000 Jewish teens participate.
Over 100,000 teens have benefited from the JCC Maccabi Games since 1982. At this Jewish Olympic style event, each athlete participates in one of fifteen sports, social events, and an opportunity to give back to the community during this week-long experience, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Kansas City, KS August 2-7, 2026 |
|
Kansas City Sports include:
Baseball, Basketball, Dance, Flag football, Girls volleyball, Pickleball, Soccer, Tennis, Swimming, Star reporter
The competitive level of the participants will vary. There are teens that are elite athletes and then those that are there for the experience, the level of play is very diverse. Some of the sports will have different divisions based on skill levels.
Throughout the week, players can expect to play at least four games/matches before tournament play begins on Wednesday. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the top three winners.
Although it is competitive the JCC Maccabi Games emphasize the Rachmanus Rule, which is good sportsmanship and fair play. The experience is about more than just sports. It focuses on an all-around experience including friends, community service, social and educational activities.
Teens from across North American participate in JCC Maccabi representing their ‘local’ delegation. Typically, this is the delegation represent their home city/local JCC for example Team Atlanta, Team Philadelphia, Team Toronto etc.
A mixed team is comprised of athletes from multiple delegations. This is common and happens when a delegation does not have enough athletes to field a full team.
Where our delegation is unable to field a full team, athletes will be combined in a mixed team with one or more other delegations’ players. Being on a mixed team can be a great experience and foster lasting friendships with Jewish teens around the world!
Community Service is a key component to the JCC Maccabi Games experience.
Each set of Games includes a JCC Cares project where athletes step away from competition and workshops for a part of their day and work to improve the local community, through activities like planting a community garden, bowling with adults with special needs, or doing art projects one-on-one with children from underserved communities.
Parents will be responsible for bringing their teens to the JCC where they will meet the Delegation Head and coaches who will accompany the delegation for the week at the designated day/ time the delegation will travel to the host community together.
OR Parents will be responsible for bringing athletes to the designated airport where delegation staff will be there to check teens in and accompany the group to the Games.
Kansas City:
The all-inclusive fee is $2,375 for Weinstein JCC members and $2,525 for nonmembers per participant.
JCC Maccabi is an all-inclusive experience. Program fees include Games registration fees, transportation to and from the host community and during the Games, uniform, Team Richmond gear, adult supervision and coaches, practices, meals, social events/team activities, and all other accommodations throughout the program.
We strongly encourage you to reach out to your local Federation, Jewish Community Foundation, and synagogue to enquire about local funding opportunities.
*Limited scholarships are available locally for families truly in need of financial assistance. All funding is need-based, and you can apply through a confidential process.
To apply please email Marianne Krumpe, registrar, at [email protected] or 804.545.8613.
Registration includes submitting the completed registration, personal contact info, a $250.00 non-refundable deposit paid upon signing up, and agreement to the non-refundable remainder of the payment to The Weinstein JCC.
Additional registration steps are required at later dates including medical forms, and online registration, roommate requests etc. Your delegation head will supply detailed information as next steps are required.
Of course! There is a mandatory ratio of 1:8 adults to teens. Every athlete is assigned to a coach/chaperone whether they are on a team sport, individual sport, or a mixed team with a coach from another delegation.
Head coaches are all over 21 and have passed extensive background checks.
In Kansas City, the week of JCC Maccabi (Sunday-Friday), all teens will stay with a host family. Host families are Jewish homes that are part of their greater JCC communities.
Host families are background checked, screened, and required to attend a mandatory orientation. Vaccines will be required for all members of a host family who will be age eligible to receive it. The home hospitality experience is an important part of the Games experience. We are very gracious to these host families as they serve as interim parents for the week transporting the teens to and from JCC Maccabi, providing breakfast, laundry, and giving your teen an unforgettable home hospitality experience. Many teens will stay in touch with host families for years to come!
Teens can request specific homes that meet their needs such as dietary restrictions and pet allergies.
Teens can request a specific roommate. Participants may not arrange their own housing unless approved and discussed by their Delegation Head.
Security is taken very seriously at the JCC Maccabi Games. Background checks are utilized for all adults involved and all participants, spectators, coaches, host families, volunteers, etc. are required to wear a credential to access any JCC Maccabi facility.
The host community also works closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
Yes, all food served at the JCC Maccabi Games is kosher and all activities will conclude prior to Shabbat. Delegations will return home on Friday with plenty of time before Shabbat.
No. Maccabi Central will only accept the JCC Maccabi Medical Form.
In the case of a medical emergency, the Delegation Head will act as the participant’s guardian and will communicate with the parents to get any treatment necessary.
Information such as the parent/guardian’s birth date and social security number is sometimes necessary to utilize insurance.
Yes! Parents, family members, and friends are welcome to attend the Games as spectators. A spectator pass gives access to the opening ceremony and sport events. No one will be admitted to a Games site who is not wearing an approved credential. To register as a spectator, you will use the same website as when registering your teen. Please note registration and fee deadlines, be aware of early bird prices.
While we encourage families to consider attending to support their teens, the athletes have programs and activities going on for the entirety of their time at the Games and thus only see visitor’s courtside at sporting events. At no point during the week can spectators or parents remove the teens from the program or take them off-site for any reason.
Registration is open NOW! Please contact your Delegation Head, Nick Pruden, to secure your spot on Team Richmond! [email protected] or 804.545.8607.
Monday 5AM-10PM
Tuesday 5AM-10PM
Wednesday 5AM-10PM
Thursday 5AM-10PM
Friday 5AM-6PM
Saturday 7AM-6PM
Sunday 7AM-6PM
Pool opens 30 minutes after facility opening and closes 30 minutes prior to facility closing.
Monday 5AM-10PM
Tuesday 5AM-10PM
Wednesday 5AM-10PM
Thursday 5AM-10PM
Friday 5AM-6PM
Saturday 7AM-6PM
Sunday 7AM-6PM