Entries are officially open.
And New Zealand Masters Games manager Vicki Kestila is hopeful the event will grow by 500.
The games, which were established in 1992, are held in Dunedin one year and Whanganui the next. The last time the event was staged in Dunedin it attracted ''just over 4500 competitors''.
Kestila hopes to reach 5000 this time.
The Games, which get under way at the start of February, are big business. They provide an economic boost for the region in the vicinity of $3million.
About 53% of the competitors make their way to Dunedin from outside the Otago region.
There will be a lot pressure on accommodation that week. There are two big concerts on - Elton John on February 4 and Queen on February 10.
''It is a busy, busy week. A lot of our competitors have got in really quick [to secure accommodation], so we know it is going to be a good turnout.
''We are targeting 5000 competitors this year.''
The Games have expanded slightly from 65 to 68 different events and will include para sports for the first time, including wheelchair basketball, swimming and indoor triathlon.
The most popular events are netball and football, with tennis and hockey proving popular as well.
Disc golf is making its debut and the half marathon is making a return.
''The walks and the runs are growing again. People are out there doing that again.''
Former Silver Fern Jodi Brown and cricket identity Warren Lees are the ambassadors for the Games.
