Organisers of the World Masters Games are so desperate for accommodation options that they're billeting athletes in school dorms and even setting up beds in a marine education centre.
The games are being hosted in Auckland and begin on April 21, but many of the 25,000 competing athletes are struggling to find suitable places to stay.
"We know at the moment, pricing is still too high for many of them and we know a number of our athletes are still yet to find options which work for them," Masters Games' Chief Executive Jennah Wootten says.
Australian Para-Athlete Michael Fawkner has registered and booked his flights, but he's yet to find somewhere to stay and is now worried he might not be able to afford the trip.
"I haven't been able to get the Auckland accommodation sorted out so it depends on my cashflow, so I'm still getting some sponsorship money coming in, I'm just not sure if it's going to be sufficient or not," Mr Fawkner says.
Games organisers fear Mr Fawkner is not the only one feeling this way, and are concerned other athletes may simply forfeit their entries and skip the games.
Organisers are calling for people with spare rooms to put them up for rent on sites similar to Airbnb.
Ms Wootten says the event is a great chance to connect with people from all over the world, but it's also a good opportunity to show them some famous Kiwi hospitality.
And with some serious demand out there, the money-making opportunities wouldn't be too bad either.
Newshub.
