The Maccabiah 2026 Games formally begin with a launch ceremony in Tel Aviv that unveils the event’s theme, “More Than Ever,” and announces participants for the opening torch lighting. Multiple outlets report that the ceremony takes place atop Tel Aviv City Hall and marks the start of the road to the 2026 Games. Organizers publicly present the theme and the torchbearers selected to represent the opening event. The announcements include Paralympic taekwondo champion Asaf Yasur and Olympic judo silver medalist Inbar Lanir, who are named as the individuals who will light the Maccabiah torch during the opening festivities. The reports characterize the launch as festive and focused on communicating the Games’ guiding message and ceremonial plans for when the torch is lit at the start of Maccabiah 2026. Both accounts describe the launch as a public kickoff for preparations leading to the Games’ next edition.