More than 28,000 athletes and supporters will flood to Auckland next week as the World Masters Games prepare to kick off.
East Auckland will play host to a variety of sports over the week, including baseball, golf, rugby and canoe slalom. It is understood six former All Blacks will be gearing up to play rugby.
Victoria Cross recipient Willie Apiata will take to the field alongside former All Black prop Steve McDowell alongside midfielder Pita Alatini, loose forward Paul Miller and halfbacks Kevin Senio, Ofisa Tonu’u and Ant Strachan.
Pakuranga Rugby Club will host all rugby events beginning on April 22 and running every day through the week except Anzac Day and April 28.
Baseball will also be held at Lloyd Elsmore Park with matches taking place every day from April 21 – April 30.
Canoe Slalom events will take place at Vector Wero Whitewater Park in Manukau on April 26 and 27.
The total number of registered athletes, supporters and officials take the total participation number to 28,000.
More than 11,000 of the registered athletes are from New Zealand with 6,700 from Auckland alone and more than 16,000 athletes are expected from overseas.
Athletes will compete across 28 sports in 45 disciplines at 46 venues throughout the Auckland region and two in the Waikato.
The games begin on Friday April 21 with an opening ceremony at Eden Park and wrap with a closing ceremony at Queen’s Wharf on April 30.
