First-of-Its-Kind College Campus Games: JCC Maccabi® Returns to Pittsburgh

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh (JCC) is proud to announce that Pittsburgh will host the inaugural JCC Maccabi® Campus Games in the summer of 2025 in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh and JCC Association of North America.
The JCC Maccabi Games are the world’s largest in-person Jewish youth sporting event and has engaged more than 500,000 people over the last four decades. More than 6,000 participants from JCC communities around North America and the world including athletes, coaches and their families are expected to attend. Beyond the teen experience, the Games are a powerful opportunity to galvanize thousands of volunteers, spectators, partners, and sponsors of diverse ages and interests in a monumental planning process and community-building endeavor.

The first-of-its-kind campus model will allow athletes to live, eat, and compete on the University of Pittsburgh campus in an Olympic-style atmosphere, removing significant capacity constraints that have been plaguing the Games for the last several years. “This model offers top-notch facilities and a transformative experience for Jewish teen athletes from all over the world while enabling hundreds more to experience the magic of JCC Maccabi than has been possible in its 40-year history,” said Samantha Cohen, Senior Vice President and Director of JCC Maccabi at JCC Association of North America.

“The JCC Maccabi mission complements our movement’s continental approach to teen engagement, offering Jewish youth a supportive environment that fosters mutual respect and healthy competition and where they can interact in an atmosphere of sportsmanship, peoplehood, and celebration. We couldn’t imagine better community partners than our friends at the University of Pittsburgh and a collection of regional civic, corporate and government leaders working together with our remarkable Jewish community to make this dream a reality,” JCC President and CEO Jason Kunzman noted.

In addition to a full slate of athletic competitions across team and individual sports, athletes will engage in volunteer and community support experiences through JCC Cares, the service arm of the JCC Maccabi that brings to life the JCC Maccabi value of tikkun olam (repairing the world).

“We are delighted to partner with our local JCC and the continental JCC community in piloting an innovative new model of the JCC Maccabi Games,” said Chancellor Joan Gabel. “The University of Pittsburgh looks forward to welcoming the athletes and their families in support of the Games’ mission to transform lives through competition, friendship, community service, and social and cultural engagement.”

“Our region is ready to provide an unforgettable experience for all participants and visitors, with our rich history and welcoming and collaborative spirit. We look forward to welcoming them and witnessing how these teens will leave a lasting imprint on our community.” Allegheny County Executive, Sara Innamorato said.

“As one of the nation’s premier sports cities, we relish the opportunity bring young athletes to our city and are particularly enthused by Maccabi’s commitment to give back as part of the program,” Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the JCC Maccabi Campus Games to Pittsburgh. This has been a priority event for our SportsPITTSBURGH team and local community, and we’re grateful for the strong partnership surrounding Pittsburgh as the next host city.” VisitPITTSBURGH CEO Jerad Bachar added. “This prestigious event will display the talents of young Jewish athletes and highlight our destination’s commitment to world-class sports, diversity, and cultural celebration.”

“It’s an honor to volunteer to support the 2025 Maccabi games – a special opportunity to showcase Pittsburgh to people worldwide who will gather here as participants, supporters and spectators,” said Maccabi 2025 Co-Chair Stefani Pashman, who is CEO of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. “The work of the Conference includes presenting the best of the region to global businesses and talent to capture their attention and attract them here. Passion and pride for Pittsburgh are essential to our work, so it comes naturally to me to extend those to this role as volunteer co-chair. I’m excited to work alongside other local leaders to ensure that everyone who visits for the games receives the warmest welcome, has the best experiences, and leaves as an ambassador for Pittsburgh. This will be a win-win for our visitors as well as our community and its businesses, especially those in leisure and hospitality, who will benefit from the economic impact created by the thousands of people the games will draw.”

All are invited to experience the magic and get involved with JCC Maccabi. Over the coming months, the JCC of Greater Pittsburgh and its partners will connect with the local community to invite Pittsburghers of all backgrounds to watch, volunteer, and partner with local businesses to bring excitement and economic growth to the region. Specifics on which sports will be featured and event venues will be shared in greater detail over the coming weeks.

Internationally recognized Pop Artist Burton Morris has created a unique logo for the Games. Burton is a Pittsburgh native, Carnegie Mellon University graduate, and has a long family association with the JCC of Greater Pittsburgh. He has graciously donated this original artwork. Over the years, Burton has produced signature artworks for some of the biggest events in the world, such as the Summer Olympic Games, The 76th Annual Academy Awards, The MLB All-Star Game, The 38th Montreux Jazz Festival, The FIFA World Cup Soccer, The One Young World Summit Conference and the USGA U.S.Open.

The Games are a partnership between JCC Association of North America, Maccabi World Union, Maccabi Canada and Maccabi USA.

To get involved with the games and for more information you can contact Fara Marcus at [email protected] or 412-339-5413.