It's coming home? Birmingham shortlisted to host the Invictus Games in 2027
Birmingham has been shortlisted to host the Invictus Games in 2027.
In March, the city launched a £26m bid to host the multi-sport event aimed at wounded, injured or sick Armed Forces personnel and veterans.
After a detailed process which was launched last year, Birmingham now faces competition from Washington DC in the United States to be the host – with a final decision by the board of trustees being made by the end of July.
Birmingham's bid focused on the National Exhibition Centre and drew the connection to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEHB) in Selly Oak and wider defence medical assets in the region.
For many wounded service personnel, Birmingham was the starting point for their recovery journey, after being treated at the QEHB.
The city will look to utilise the nine core sports alongside eSports, as well as explore the addition of a team triathlon as a potential new sport.
Lord Allen, chair of the Invictus Games Foundation, said: "We were delighted to receive such a strong field of applications to host the Invictus Games in 2027.
"[This] gives us tremendous confidence for this next iteration of the games following Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 presented by ATCO and Boeing.
"Both cities now shortlisted for 2027 have kept the experiences of the competitors and supporters at their core, building different but hugely exciting bids.
"We look forward to the next stage of the process and selecting another inspirational iteration of the games over the summer."
Helen Helliwell, the CEO of Invictus Games 2027 UK Bid, said: "We were privileged to make initial presentations to the Invictus Games Foundation Board earlier this month and are thrilled to move forward to the shortlist.
"We have a truly compelling bid to bring the games back to the UK, showcasing the best of our Armed Forces communities and delivering on our pledge to make this the best country in the world to be a veteran.
"As well as delivering an amazing week of the Games Festival at the NEC Birmingham [a Commonwealth Games venue in 2022], we want to use the platform of the games to improve opportunities for adaptive sport, arts and employment, enabling communities to thrive, both in the run-up to the games and as a legacy from them, across the UK and beyond."
The dates of the Invictus Games in 2027 are still to be confirmed and will depend upon the winning bid.
This year, the Invictus Games Foundation celebrates its 10th anniversary since the inaugural Invictus Games London 2014.
Prince Harry, who founded the international sporting event, will return to the UK to celebrate the upcoming 10th anniversary.
He is expected to give a reading at a service of thanksgiving in St Paul's Cathedral in London.
The next games taking place are the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 in Canada, and will be a winter hybrid edition from 9-16 February.
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