May 14–30, 2027
The World Masters Games is an international multi-sport event held every four years which, in terms of competitor numbers, has developed into the largest of its kind.
The 2027 World Masters Games (WMG) will be held in the Kansai region of Japan from May 14–30, 2027, featuring 59 disciplines across 35 sports for athletes aged 30 and over. General entries opened in March 2026 and close on February 28, 2027.
Governed by the International Masters Games Association (IMGA), the World Masters Games is open to sports people of all abilities and most ages – the minimum age criteria ranges between 25 and 35 years depending on the sport.
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.
A defining feature of the Kansai edition is its decentralised hosting model, with competitions spread across multiple cities including Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. This design reflects a deliberate attempt to address Japan’s long-standing challenge of excessive concentration in the Tokyo metropolitan area, aiming to stimulate regional economic activity and human mobility.
To date, organisers have received 24,000 registrations, including 10,000 international and 14,000 domestic participants, which reflects the remarkable level of interest in these Games.
