| World Masters Games | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Status | active |
| Genre |
|
| Frequency | quadrennial |
| Inaugurated | 7 August 1985 (1985-08-07) |
| Most recent | 21–30 April 2017 |
| Next event | 17–30 May 2025 |
| Organised by | International Masters Games Association |
| Website | imga.ch |
| Masters Games
| |
The World Masters Games[1] is an international multi-sport event held every four years which, in terms of competitor numbers, has developed into the largest of its kind.[2] Governed by the International Masters Games Association (IMGA),[3] the World Masters Games is open to sports people of all abilities and most ages – the minimum age criterion ranges between 25 and 35 years depending on the sport. Auckland, New Zealand hosted the event's ninth edition from 21 to 30 April 2017.[4]
Anyone can participate in the games so long as they are over the age of 35 though some sports will allow athletes who are younger than that. Participants compete for themselves – there are no country delegations. Beyond the age requirement and membership in that sport's governing body, there are no competition qualification requirements.
Toronto staged the first World Masters Games in 1985. Since then, World Masters Games has also taken place in Aalborg, Aarhus and Herning (1989), Brisbane (1994), Portland, Oregon (1998), Melbourne (2002), Edmonton (2005) and Sydney (2009). The Sydney 2009 World Masters Games attracted a record 28,676 competitors.[5][6] This is more than double the number of competitors that took part in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
The Games has been popular with retired professional athletes and former Olympic competitors, with over 230 past Olympians taking part in the 2009 edition.[7]
| Edition | Year | Host | Sports | Countries | Competitors | Motto |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1985 |  Toronto |
22 | 61 | 8,305 | The Year of the Masters |
| 2 | 1989 |  Aalborg, Aarhus, Herning |
37 | 76 | 5,500 | Sport for life |
| 3 | 1994 |  Brisbane |
30 | 74 | 24,500 | The challenge never ends |
| 4 | 1998 |  Portland |
28 | 102 | 11,400 | The global celebration of sport for life |
| 5 | 2002 | Melbourne |
26 | 98 | 24,886 | The biggest multi-sport festival on Earth |
| 6 | 2005 | Edmonton |
25 | 89 | 21,600 | A festival of sport in the city of festivals |
| 7 | 2009 | Sydney |
28 | 95 | 28,676 | Fit, fun and forever young |
| 8 | 2013 |  Turin |
30 | 99 | 15,394 | Sport for life, Sport for all |
| 9 | 2017 |  Auckland |
28 | 100 | 28,578 | For the Love of Sport |
| 2022 |  Kansai |
– | – | – | The Blooming of Sport for Life | |
| 10 | 2025 |  Taipei, New Taipei |
32 | – | – | Sports beyond Age & Life without Limits |
| 11 | 2027 | Como, Varese and Lecco |
– | – |
| Edition | Year | Host | Sports | Countries | Competitors | Motto |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010 |  Bled |
7 | 42 | 3,000 | The Games for you |
| 2 | 2015 | Quebec City |
9 | 20 | 1,600 | * |
| 3 | 2020 |  Innsbruck |
12 | 3,500 | Spirit Together | |
| 4 | 2024 | Lombardy |
2017 Summer Games Sports List (28) :[12]
The Americas Masters Games is a regional multi-sport event which involves participants from the Americas region. Governed by the International Masters Games Association (IMGA), the Americas Masters Games is open to participants of all abilities and most ages – the minimum age criterion is 30 years.[13] Participants compete for themselves, instead of their countries. There are no competition qualification requirements apart from the age requirement and membership in that sport's governing body.[14]
The event's first edition was hosted by Vancouver, Canada from 26 August to 4 September 2016.[15] The second edition was scheduled for 2020 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.[16]
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| ASOIF (30+2) Summer Olympics Federations |
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| AIOWF (7) Winter Olympics Federations |
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| ARISF (39) Others recognised by IOC |
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| AIMS (20) Others in SportAccord |
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| former GAISF observer members (11) |
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| Others |
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