The World Masters Games 2017, are being hosted in Auckland from April 21-30, 2017. 

You may already be familiar with the Games but by way of additional background, the Games are considered the largest multi-sport event in the world from a participation point of view, and will be the largest event to hit New Zealand since Rugby World Cup 2011. 

25,000 athletes are expected to participate in the Games, not to mention the many thousands who will be volunteers, spectators and supporters. Participants are expected from 100 countries, and will range from ex-Olympic and Commonwealth Games athletes, through to weekend warriors and social work teams.

Our Games will feature 28 sports across over 45 competition venues in the Auckland and Waikato regions, including Netball which is being held at Auckland Netball Centre. In addition, we are also creating an entertainment hub on Auckland’s waterfront, offering athletes and the general public a variety of sporting, social and educational activities. 

What people don’t tend to realise is that the average age of a World Masters Games athlete is 42 however the minimum age varies by sport. In swimming it is 25, rowing it is 27, the remainder of our sports are either 30 or 35. Furthermore, there’s no qualification or selection process – you just need to be of masters age in your chosen sport.

As a local organising committee, we are eager to ensure New Zealanders make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in a global sporting event in our own backyard.