The Jerusalem Grand Slam is set to return to Givat Ram National Stadium on June 25, 2026, bringing elite track and field athletes from about 26 countries to Israel’s capital, organizers said. The Israel Athletics Association, in cooperation with the Jerusalem Municipality, organizes the event.
The competition, now positioned as one of Israel’s leading athletics events, is expected to attract local and international athletes for an evening of high-level competition. Organizers said the event is intended to strengthen Jerusalem’s place on Israel’s summer sports calendar and give Israeli athletes a rare opportunity to compete at home against global rivals.
Israeli athletes set for home-stage test
Among the Israeli athletes expected to compete are Blessing Afrifah, Yonatan Kapitolnik, Esther Vlano, Adva Cohen, and other national team representatives. Afrifah, one of Israel’s leading sprinters, has also been highlighted in recent Jerusalem Post coverage of Israeli athletics.
For Israeli competitors, the Grand Slam offers more than a ranking opportunity. It gives them a chance to compete before a home crowd at a time when international sporting events in Israel continue to carry added public significance.
The 2025 edition featured one of the event’s major sporting highlights, when Omri Schiff broke a 34-year-old Israeli record in the men’s 400-meter hurdles with a time of 49.82 seconds, organizers said.
A stadium experience built around fans
Beyond the professional competition, the Jerusalem Grand Slam will again include a family-oriented “Fun Zone,” with interactive athletics stations for spectators. The activities are expected to include starting blocks, electronic sprint measurement, jumping stations, obstacle courses, and hand-eye coordination challenges.
The event will also feature the return of the “Transparent Studio,” sponsored by Eldan, the event’s main sponsor. The live studio will host interviews with Israeli and international athletes in front of spectators, offering fans a closer look at the competition.
Sport amid a complex security reality
The 2026 competition will take place for the third consecutive year during a complex security period, according to organizers. JPost has reported on how security conditions have affected Israeli sports, including international events and athlete participation.
The Grand Slam also comes as Jerusalem continues to host major sporting events, including the International Jerusalem Winner Marathon, while Israeli track athletes such as Matan Ivri have drawn attention to the country’s growing athletics profile.
Organizers said the Jerusalem Grand Slam’s continued growth reflects both sporting ambition and public demand for major events in the capital. Athletes from approximately 26 countries are expected to compete in Jerusalem on June 25.