Ukraine among a record six cities bidding to host the Invictus Games in 2029
Kyiv has joined a record number of six cities bidding to host the Invictus Games in 2029.
The Ukrainian capital has put its name in the pot alongside Aalborg (Denmark), Abuja (Nigeria), Daejeon (Republic of Korea), San Diego (USA) and the Veneto Region (Italy).
These bids were unveiled at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland and reflect the "unprecedented global enthusiasm" and growing impact of the Invictus Movement worldwide.
Launched in 2014 by the Duke of Sussex after taking inspiration from the 2013 Warrior Games, the Invictus Games is an international multi-sport event.
It is an adaptive event aimed at wounded, injured or sick Armed Forces personnel and veterans, and it takes its name from the Latin word 'Invictus', meaning 'unconquered' or 'undefeated'.
Excitement has already been building ahead of the next Invictus Games taking place in Birmingham in 2027, so there will be some wait for the selected host city for 2029, which is expected to be unveiled next summer.
'Values of recovery'
Invictus Games Foundation highlighted the record Expressions of Interest (EOIs) as "showcasing unprecedented global enthusiasm and commitment to the values of recovery, rehabilitation, and respect for international wounded, injured, and sick (WIS) service personnel and veterans".
Rob Owen, CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation, further praised the amount of interest in the games, saying: "We are thrilled to have such interest, demonstrating a clear recognition of the powerful impact of hosting an Invictus Games, not only on the competitors themselves, but on those supporting, watching, and cheering on from the stands."
He added: "We look forward to working with each of these locations over the coming year to develop fuller propositions with the recovery of international wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans at their heart."
Bidding cities
- Aalborg, Denmark – Denmark has been a core member of the Invictus community of nations since the inaugural Games in 2014.
Troels Lund Poulsen, Deputy Prime Minister, Denmark, said: "In a world marked by uncertainty and confrontation, I believe that the Invictus Games represent a unifying force."
- Abuja, Nigeria – Relative newcomers to the Invictus Games Foundation’s community of nations in 2023, if successful, this would be the first-ever Invictus Games held in Africa.
CG General Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, Nigeria, said: "The Invictus Games Abuja 2029 [would not be] merely a sporting event, but also a powerful platform aimed at transforming perception of disability in Nigeria, and across Africa"
- Veneto Region, Italy – Italy has also been a member of the community since the Invictus Games London 2014 and is offering another hybrid Games, building on the success of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.
Senator Isabella Rauti, Undersecretary of State for Defence, said: "The [Invictus Games] is a powerful instrument of social inclusion and psychophysical rehabilitation. The organisation of the Games would provide a valuable platform for raising public awareness of disability, mental health, inclusion and social reintegration of veterans.
- Daejeon, Republic of Korea – The Republic of Korea, which joined the community at the Invictus Games The Hague 2020, submitted their official expression of interest during the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.
Kang Jung-ai, Minister, Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Republic of Korea, said: "If the Invictus Games are hosted for the first time in Asia, in Daejeon, the Republic of Korea's proven resilience, together with its deep respect for service members and veterans, would create an ideal setting to spread the Invictus Spirit across Asia and beyond."
- San Diego, USA – San Diego's bid would bring the Games back to the USA for the second time following the success of Orlando, Florida in 2016.
They aspire to position the Games as a model for global veteran wellness and innovations in recovery, leaving a legacy for mental health fitness.
Francine Fyne Basson, President BABC San Diego, said: "The Invictus Games represent more than elite competition; the Games are a global catalyst for recovery, recognition, and resilience... San Diego's Invictus Games [would be] a rallying point for a new chapter of innovation in veteran recovery."
Kyiv, Ukraine – Notwithstanding the complex ongoing geopolitical challenges, Ukraine has submitted a compelling EOI for hosting a future Invictus Games.
Kyiv hopes to emphasise its legacy of hosting major international events and its commitment to using the Games as a platform for innovative recovery and rehabilitation services for its veteran population. A multi-ministerial commission would oversee planning and delivery.
Natalyia Kalmykova, Ukraine Minister for Veterans Affairs, said: "Sport is a key function in veterans’ healthcare. It’s thanks to our relationship with Invictus that we established, and continue to develop, the role of sports in recovery in Ukraine and why it’s included in the Veteran Policy Strategy."
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