The 2024 Pan Pacific Masters Games (PPMG) has again proved its worth to the city and state continuing an upward trajectory in terms of participation and economic impact.
From visitor nights, number of extended stays, total spend in the region and direct and incremental spending in Queensland the increases are significant with planning for a bigger and better 2026 event already underway.
More than 15,000 participants took to the court, the pool, the fields, arena or the ocean, competing in 45 sports at the 1-10 November 2024 multisport extravaganza that saw the city come to life with proud masters’ competitors from all over the world.
There is an energy to this competition like I have never felt before said Events Management Queensland CEO Ben Mannion who experienced his first ever PPMG last year.
“I’d done my research, I knew they’d fight tooth and nail in the competition, but I had no idea how passionate the participants were, how friendly they all were post-match and how much the event features in so many sport and club calendars as a must do every two years.
“Masters sport brings a camaraderie and an aura of its own to the sporting arena – its where people connect with likeminded souls and where they either play the sport that’s been a part of their lives for years or figure life’s too short and give one or more new sports a go.
“There was a pretty even gender split at PPMG in 2024 with 47 per cent males and 53 per cent females, with the 50+year age group with no kids at home making up 52 per cent of our participants.
“And testament to the fact that individuals and teams come back year upon year our survey revealed 75 per cent of participants were at the event with friends or a group of friends, “Mr Mannion said.
“PPMG attendees that were visitors to the region spent almost $23.5 million in direct and incremental visitor spend, which was an increase of 23 per cent on the 2022 event.
“The event attracted almost 29,000 tourists to the Gold Coast region which was an increase of 8 per cent on 2022.
“It’s important to also note nearly 82,000 visitor nights were generated by the Games, many of those who have helped our accommodation houses with occupancy during the shoulder season.
“The figures speak for themselves on how valuable this event is to our state in terms of economic impact, tourism and exposure for the Gold Coast and Queensland.
“It importantly showcases our world class sporting facilities and our capability to deliver international standard events ahead of the Olympics in 2032.
“The Pan Pacific Masters Games is iconic to Queensland and will continue for many years ahead as a signature event on Queensland’s biennial event calendar,” Minister Powell said.
The games will return to the Gold Coast from 6-15 November 2026.
The 2024 Gold Coast Sporting Event of the Year, the Pan Pacific Masters Games, the ASICS Gold Coast Marathon and the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport Marathon are organised by Events Management Queensland and are proudly supported by Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland.
Events Management Queensland acknowledges and pays respect to the Kombumerri people of the Yugambeh language region, the Saltwater People of the Gold Coast, as the traditional owners of the lands and waters upon which we invite and welcome participants from across the globe to experience our events.
