The South Australian Tourism Commission hopes the week-long sporting event will beat the $12 million in benefits to the state achieved in 2019 when Adelaide last hosted the sporting event.

The 7200 sports people – all aged at least over 30 – will compete in 47 sports to be played across metro Adelaide, Victor Harbour, the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa.

They’ll also be bringing family, friends and coaches along with them, giving accommodation providers a springtime boost in occupation.

West Beach Parks told InDaily that both its BIG4 Holiday Park and The Retreat are fully booked this weekend, with the opening ceremony of the Australian Masters Games taking place on Saturday night at Festival Plaza.

The West Beach-based accommodation options benefit particularly from sports being played at the parks, with golf, baseball, softball and sailing set to take place in Adelaide’s west.

“We have more than 240 Masters Games participants staying with us from five states including thirteen teams,” West Beach Parks CEO Kate Anderson told InDaily.

“Our sporting facilities are also to be utilised for the Games with West Beach Parks playing host to golf, baseball, softball and sailing.

“Visitation from Masters Games athletes provides a significant economic benefit not only to West Beach Parks but also our tenants, nearby businesses and the State.”

The Australian Masters Games is a week-long celebration of sport and the semi-pro, mature “weekend warriors” who partake in them.

The majority of this year’s competitors are from other states and even overseas, with international participants travelling from New Zealand, India, Singapore, the United States and Canada to Adelaide for the event.

Australian Masters Games general manager Jane Woodlands-Thompson

Softball is the biggest drawcard this year, with more than 850 registered players plus 160 coaches and officials participating in 64 teams over seven days of competition at West Beach.

Dragon boat racing is the next biggest division, with 913 registered to compete at West Lakes, and is followed by basketball which has 618 competitors.

Other participants will enjoy competing in some more offbeat sports like pickleball, ‘yoga sports” and darts.

Australian Masters Games general manager Jane Woodlands-Thompson told InDaily she was excited to welcome the participants to Adelaide this weekend.

“The Australian Masters Games are not just a festival of sport, with some entertainment every evening, but it’s a chance for our interstate and overseas visitors to travel to different parts of Adelaide and into regional areas,” Woodlands-Thompson said.

“We know that family and friends will head out to regional areas on day trips, and we have events being held in the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and Victor Harbour.

“Thousands of people will be staying in hotels, boutique accommodation, in caravan parks and with friends and family, but they’ll be out in the city, suburbs and regional areas every day, which is fantastic for South Australia.”