It’s one of the Coast’s biggest visitor magnet – but have you heard of the Pan Pacific Masters Games?

Get ready - a projected 15,000 people from 37 countries are landing on the Gold Coast for a 10-day all day, half the night extravaganza. Find out more.

For the next 10 days, the Gold Coast will be home to one of the largest multi-sporting events of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

The Pan Pacific Masters Games, which showcases more than 40 sports, has returned to the city for the first time in six years.

It’s one of the Gold Coast’s biggest visitor magnets, attracting 16,000 competitors from 37 countries including yesteryear sporting luminaries.

Among them are high-profile former basketball stars David Anderson, Chris Anstey and NBA player Josh Giddey’s father Warrick Giddey.

Rio Olympics 2016. The Bronze Medal Men's Basketball match between Australia and Spain at Olympic Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. David Anderson for Australia, left. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Competing in the over 40s men’s basketball in the modestly-named Has Beens, the team also features Greg Goorjian and Cam Rigby.

Anderson, who has four Olympic Games, 12 European league championships and two NBL titles under his belt, will head up the team.

Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said it was great to have the Pan Pac Games back on our shores.

“It’s a fantastic event for the Gold Coast and what makes it so fantastic for the economy is that we’re expecting about 24,000 to 25,000 spectators,” he said.

“Because of the age of the competitors, they usually are bringing their partners with them, and sometimes kids and even grandkids, so it ends up being quite a festival feel.

“The predicted economic impact is over $30 million and 64 per cent of people are from out of region.

“Occupancy is about 75 per cent and that’s really good for this time of year — that’s about seven to eight per cent up on last week alone.”

Pac Pacific Masters Games Equestrian competition. Picture: Supplied

The Gold Coast’s very own Mayor Tom Tate will be testing his mettle in the powerlifting and sprints.

“I’m looking forward to competing at the Pan Pacs in the Powerlifting Bench Press and Dead Lift categories as well as the 60m and 100m sprints,” he said.

“I’ve been training hard so it will be great to get out there and have a crack.

“The Pan Pacific Masters Games is one of the biggest events on the Gold Coast calendar and, while the competition is fierce, away from the competition everyone has a great time.”

Participants will head to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) tomorrow for collection of accreditation and registration kits.

Pan Pacific Masters Games participant arriving on the Gold Coast. Picture: Supplied

Events Management Queensland CEO Ben Mannion said he was delighted to see so many people already interacting with other participants.

“That’s what this event is all about … people enjoying their sport at all ages and getting into the spirit of the competition with some fierce but friendly rivalry,” he said.

The competition officially started on Friday ahead of Saturday’s opening ceremony at the GCCEC.

THE PAN PACIFIC MASTERS GAMES 2024 SCORE SHEET

– 16,000 competitors

– 37 countries

– 40 sports

– $30 million predicted economic impact

– 75 per cent occupancy for Gold Coast accommodation providers

– 64 per cent of attendees are out-of-region visitors