The balloon's about to go up in what's believed to be one of the biggest international sports events ever held in the Tauranga.

More than 200 elite athletes and many more officials and supporters are in town for the World Junior Squash Championships.

Three Western BOP squash clubs are partnering to deliver the event – the Devoy Squash & Fitness Club (Tauranga), Te Puke Squash Club and Mount Maunganui Squash Club.

While the event is centred around the Susan Devoy centre, there will be great public viewing of games at the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre which has an all-glass court.

The opening ceremony is at Baycourt next Tuesday, July 18, and the tournament proper begins the following day, Wednesday, July 19, with the individual boys and girls event.