Wednesday 29 August
The 2018 Pan Pacific Masters Games is on track to become the biggest in the event’s 20-year-history with thousands of participants expected to register before early bird fees finish this Sunday 2 September.
Over 15,000 athletes from overseas, interstate and Queensland are en route to the Gold Coast for the premier multi-sport event, featuring 43 sports and a huge live nightly entertainment program, smashing the current record of 13,500 entries.
Participants considering taking part in these record-breaking biennial Games, purpose-built for the over 30s, are encouraged to save on fees and secure their entry before the early bird deadline.
Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister Meaghan Scanlon said athlete numbers are up by 18 per cent on the 2016 edition with the biennial event set to pump $20m into the Gold Coast economy.
“In 2016, the Pan Pacific Masters Games delivered a $19 million boost to the Queensland economy with 13,241 people taking part across all sports bringing a further 18,000 supporters to the Games,” she said.
“This year the Pan Pacific Masters Games are set to continue to grow with more than 15,000 participants from 30 overseas countries, as well as each state and territory of Australia, taking part in 43 sports during the 10 days of competition.
“We expect the event will generate more than $20 million for the local economy. During the event, sports will be held at newly built and upgraded Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games venues across the city including the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre, the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre, the Gold Coast Hockey Centre and the Nerang Mountain Bike Trails.”
Over 15,000 athletes are expected to Play it, Live it, Love it at the world’s biggest and best biennial masters games on the Gold Coast this November
Events Management Queensland CEO Cameron Hart said some sports were filling fast and advised sport lovers who are considering being a part of the historic event to enter before the closure of early bird fees.
“We’re witnessing a dramatic increase in entries from around the world as we approach the early bird fee deadline and I encourage everyone to secure their spot this week, so they don’t miss out on what is shaping up to be the biggest and best Pan Pacific Masters Games in history,” Mr Hart said.
“The beauty of this event is that it allows both former champions and those who never quite made it to compete side-by-side in a friendly environment where no qualification is required.
“After the day’s play has wrapped up, opponents become friends and the Games Village is buzzing with the camaraderie for which the event is renowned.
“Throw in some world-famous beaches, a lush hinterland and an idyllic spring climate and you have a recipe for an unforgettable Queensland experience.”
The Pan Pacific Masters Games will include eight nights of live entertainment at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the line-up including Killer Queen, the Koi Boys, Lisa Hunt, Magic Carpet Ride and DJ Emma Lancaster.
The 11th biennial Pan Pacific Masters Games, featuring 43 sports, will be held from 2-11 November.
The Pan Pacific Masters Games is organised by Events Management Queensland – a major event management company wholly owned by the Queensland Government as part of Tourism and Events Queensland.
