The 2012 New Zealand Masters Games are shaping as one of the largest Dunedin has hosted.
It is expected about 7000 people will participate in the 70-sport event, with half the competitors coming from out of town.
Masters Games manager Aaron Joy said a record number of teams had already registered for both netball and football.
"We've got teams coming from both Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka for the netball and there's a group travelling here from Pakistan for badminton."
There was also a team coming from India to compete in badminton as well as more than 100 athletes expected to arrive from Australia to compete in various sports, he said.
"The fact that so many international competitors will compete gives the locals something to look forward to."
Joy said the event was now recognised around the w
International touch
rld which was demonstrated by the interest shown by international competitors.
Dragon boating will make its first appearance next year.
Joy said its season was just beginning so it would not be known how many competitors would take part until early January.
The Masters Games were first held in 1989, and in recent years Dunedin and Wanganui have held the event in alternate years.
Standard registrations close on January 6, but late entries will be accepted.
The Games run from February 4-12.
