One week. One city. One huge Carni.

Maccabi Junior Carnival returned to Melbourne this January, delivering one of the largest Carnivals in 15 years and reminding everyone why Carni holds such a special place in the Jewish community calendar.

With close to 600 participants from Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, the ACT, and for the first time ever, a 12‑strong delegation from Israel, the scale of Carni 2026 was HUGE. Across a packed week of sport, socials and shared experiences, teens in Years 7–10 connected across state and national lines, many meeting for the first time and leaving with friendships that will last a lifetime.

A milestone year

This year marked a significant moment in Carni history, with Israeli teens joining Carnival through the Arava–Australia Partnership. Their presence added a meaningful international dimension to the week, strengthening connections between our communities. At the Opening Ceremony, when Hatikvah filled the room, almost 600 Carni kids (including our Israelis) stood with arms around each other, swaying and singing together – a powerful moment to witness.

Sport at scale

Across 12 sporting codes, more than 4,300 minutes of sport were played throughout the week. From basketball and netball to pickleball, AFL‑9 and futsal, competition was strong, spirited and respectful. Several teams wrapped up undefeated campaigns, while others pushed through tightly contested finals. Yet, as always at Carni, once the whistle blew, rivals became mates.

Giving back: Community Day

Community Day was a standout moment of the week. Guided by Kids in Philanthropy, our Carni kids rolled up their sleeves to support ten community organisations. Together, they packed hundreds of school kits and snack packs, assembled care packages, baked muffins and created messages of hope for people doing it tough.

By the end of the day, more than 1,700 people in need had been supported. Seeing our kids engage with such care and understanding was a powerful reminder of the values that sit at the heart of Carni.

It takes a village

Behind the scenes, Carni 2026 was powered by an extraordinary volunteer effort. More than 80 committee members worked across sport, logistics, catering, safety, transport, billeting and youth leadership, supported by 209 parent volunteers who collectively filled 440 roles throughout the week.

Nearly 6,000 meals were served, 150 buses coordinated, and countless small moments handled with care.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to CSG and Victoria Police for their planning, presence and support, helping ensure our kids were safe and parents reassured throughout the week.

More than a week – Continuing the Maccabi Journey

For many young people, Carni is the moment they discover a sport they genuinely enjoy. It might be their first time picking up a pickleball paddle, playing competitive soccer, or being part of a team environment. Maccabi offers plenty of ways for Carni participants to stay involved well beyond Carnival week.

Maccabi runs a range of sporting clubs across the year, including 2026 Carni sports: table tennis, pickleball, soccer, netball, tennis and basketball. Each club has its own vibe, training schedule and pathways, so there’s something to suit different interests and commitment levels.

Cranbourne Country Club Support

Following the sale of their golf course, Cranbourne Country Club is continuing its legacy of making sport accessible to Victorians.

In partnership with Cranbourne Country Club, Maccabi Victoria is offering a free 2026 club membership to Junior Carnival participants who were not members of a Maccabi or Ajax club in 2025. Once registered with a club and the 2026 membership fee has been paid, participants can complete the form to have their fee reimbursed.

Fee assistance is also available for eligible families looking to continue their Maccabi journey in 2026. If cost is a barrier to registering, applications are encouraged. The process is simple and confidential via the Maccabi Relief Fund website.

Something for the whole family

Carni is very much a family effort, and to say thanks, all Carni families are invited to a ‘Try Pickleball’ opportunity. This includes either one introductory class or one social hit, with a reduced pickleball membership also available.

Please use the discount codes:

• Try Pickeball: Freehit – click here
• 2026 discounted membership: Carni26 – click here

Check out the Maccabi Junior Carnival Instagram page for all things Carni 2026