The 2017 World Masters Games opened on Friday night 21 April 2017 at Auckland’s Eden Park. The Games began in 1985 and are held every four years. In 2017, 28 sports were contested by women and men at 48 venues across Auckland and Waikato. Age is the sole entry criteria for competitors in most sports - 35 for most although the 'masters' (minimum) age is different for some sports such as 25 in swimming. Almost 25,000 athletes from 100 countries took part in the 10-day Games at Auckland, including more than 10,000 New Zealanders. Attendance at all venues was free for spectators. At the completion of the Games the International Masters Games Association declared the Auckland Games the best ever.