Thousands will be bustling in Newcastle and the Central Coast for a “week-long celebration of sport, fitness, friendship, and community” next year, with the 21st Australian Masters Games to be hosted across the two cities from 13–20 November 2027.
The biannual event is one of Australia’s largest multisport carnivals, boasting as many as 8,000 and 10,000 masters athletes aged between 30 and 90 at each eight-day festival.
Newcastle last hosted the games in 2001, and saw over 11,000 competitors descend on the city to deliver an estimated economic impact of $17.1 million, according to a recent economic development report.
The most recent edition, in Canberra, was headlined by football, basketball, golf, and netball, as well as athletics events like track, field, and distance running.
There had originally been grand plans for Newcastle and the Central Coast to host alongside neighbouring councils Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, and Maitland – and that was what was tabled to the Confederation of Australian Sport (CAS) last year – but the latter three eventually pulled out over cost concerns.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Gavin Morris said he expects the scheduled event to be “an incredible celebration of sport” and added he was proud that the city was such a welcoming and inclusive destination.
“Hosting a national event of this scale brings thousands of athletes to Newcastle to enjoy our quality sports facilities. People of all abilities participate in the Masters Games both playing and in supporting roles,” Cr Morris said.
“We’re committed to attracting and hosting major events as a key economic and tourism driver. I would like to see Newcastle firmly establish itself as a premier national events destination.”
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