About the Games

Created by the Confederation of Australian Sport in 1987, the Australian Masters Games is a week-long festival of sport that brings together weekend warriors from around Australia, and the world, to enjoy an extensive sport and social program in an exciting holiday destination.

The 20th Edition of the Australian Masters Games will be held in Canberra from 18-25 October 2025 and promises to be one of the best events yet. Celebrate the milestone 20th edition of the Australian Master’s Games with friends, team mates and other competitors.

Where competition and fun meet. Where friends reconnect and new friends are made, this is a truly Australian sporting event.

The Sports

The Australian Masters Games is one of Australia’s largest premier multisport festivals with an extensive sport program offering over 50 different sports. It is also the only true national master’s event, bringing participants from all over the country and the world, to different cities and venues.

Join over 7,000 participants from every corner of Australia, competing in sports like softball, netball, athletics, lawn bowls, dragon boat and pickleball.  Check our sports page for a full list of the 50+ sports on offer including ever-popular sports like ten pin bowling, basketball, darts, petanque, baseball and weightlifting to name just a few. There truly is something for everyone!

And the best news is, you don’t need to be a superstar to participate, with entry open to all who meet the minimum age criteria (in most sports, this is 30 years and over). Many Games participants enter multiple sports too, for extra bang for their buck.

The Social Program

Canberra isn’t just home to some of Australia’s biggest festivals and blockbuster exhibitions; it also boasts a vibrant array of foodie events, bustling markets, captivating performances, family-friendly activities, exciting sports, and live music. Book tickets to Chicago, the longest-running musical on Broadway, at the Canberra Theatre Centre or get your art fix at the National Gallery of Australia’s Gauguin’s World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao, which offers a rare opportunity to experience the enduring art of French Post-Impressionist Paul Gauguin. The choice is yours.

But it’s not just Canberra’s calendar of events that impresses; the city’s dining scene truly packs a punch. From ramen to roasters, Canberra serves up a smorgasbord of dining options. Enjoy hearty meals at revamped pubs like Edgar’s Inn; indulge in refined fare at hatted restaurants like The Boat House, which boasts stunning lakeside views; or treat yourself to award-winning French cuisine at Les Bistronomes, recently honoured with three accolades at the ACT Restaurant and Catering Association Awards for Excellence.

If you take pleasure in discovering the unexpected, Canberra delivers in spades. Its nightlife features some of the best bars and live music venues around. Venture a short distance outside the city centre to explore Canberra’s wine district, home to more than 40 wineries where you can sip, swirl and savour. Tour operators like Van Du Vin and Dave’s Tours are ready to take care of all the logistics, so you can focus on enjoying that perfect Riesling or rosé.

The Destination

The Australian Masters Games is a truly national event, offering an exciting new location to explore each edition. In 2025, we return to the nation’s capital, Canberra, for the first time in over two decades.

Canberra invites you to explore the best of this capital city, where wide open spaces, a burgeoning food and wine scene, and lush nature come together. Wander through scenic nature parks as you spot unique Australian wildlife and discover a thriving cool-climate wine region just a short drive away from the city centre. With world-class exhibitions year-round and the iconic Floriade flower festival each spring, Canberra offers an exceptional experience for everyone, no matter when you visit.

History of the Australian Masters Games

The Australian Masters Games is the original and the best masters event in Australia.

The Confederation of Australian Sport held the first Australian Masters Games in Tasmania in 1987 and set the stage for large multisport festivals for the masters age group (30 years and over) in Australia. This is the third time Canberra has hosted the Australian Masters Games, and it promises to be spectacular.