Invictus Games: The history and future of Prince Harry's event inspiring recovery
The Invictus Games is an international multi-sport event launched in 2014 by the Duke of Sussex after taking inspiration from the 2013 Warrior Games.
The adaptive event is 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'.
Next year, Team UK has selected the biggest proportion of personnel serving in Invictus history to travel to Vancouver and Whistler for the seventh instalment of the games, which includes new winter sports for the first time.
The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 will bring together more than 500 competitors from 20-plus nations to compete in adaptive sports.
Vancouver and Whistler were selected as the host cities by the Invictus Games Foundation following a competitive bid process.
A team of 64 has been selected to represent the UK at the games in Canada.
The team of 60 – plus four reserves – comprises 37 veterans and 27 service personnel, by far the biggest proportion of people still serving in the Armed Forces that Team UK have ever produced.
Where have the Invictus Games been held so far?
The first Invictus Games took place in 2014 at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, followed by the second event at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, in 2016.
The third games were held just over a year later, in September 2017, in Toronto, Canada, and was the setting for Prince Harry and his then-girlfriend Meghan Markle's first public appearance together as a couple.
In 2018, Sydney, Australia, hosted the competition.
The fifth games were due to be held in The Hague in the Netherlands in 2020 but were initially postponed to May 2021, finally going ahead in April 2022.
Germany, with the German Armed Forces and the city of Düsseldorf, hosted the 2023 event.
Birmingham 2027
In three years, the West Midlands city will host what will be the eighth Invictus Games.
In earning the right to hold the 2027 games, Birmingham saw off competition from five other contenders, including Washington DC.
Following the announcement, Prince Harry, patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, said: "Congratulations to Birmingham UK on winning the bid to host the Invictus Games 2027.
"Your city's strong ties to the Armed Forces community made it a formidable contender."
Running over a week in July 2027, the event will be held at the NEC.
Defence Secretary John Healey also welcomed the news that the event for serving personnel and veterans would return to the UK.
Which nations participate?
In 2014 the games began with 13 countries participating.
Düsseldorf 2023 welcomed the most nations (21), with Israel, Colombia and Nigeria joining the Invictus Games for the first time.
The complete list of 'The Invictus Community of Nations' who are expected to be competing at the 2025 games are:
- Afghanistan
- Australia
- Belgium
- Canada
- Columbia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Iraq
- Israel
- Italy
- Jordan
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Poland
- Romania
- South Korea
- Ukraine
- Unconquered*
- United Kingdom
- United States
The Invictus Games Foundation is always open to new nations being involved and looks to each games to grow the community.
*Team Unconquered was created to allow nations of all sizes the chance to compete in team sports at the Invictus Games.
The first Unconquered team was created in Toronto in 2017 from Romanian, Ukrainian, Danish and American competitors and the concept has remained a staple of the Invictus Games ever since.
What sports can participants compete in?
Veterans and wounded, injured or sick serving personnel can compete in numerous adaptive sports at the 2025 games.
The sports that are expected to be included are:
- Archery
- Athletics
- Cycling
- Indoor Rowing
- Powerlifting
- Sitting volleyball
- Swimming
- Table Tennis
- Wheelchair basketball
- Wheelchair rugby
The new winter sports introduced at Vancouver Whistler 2025 are:
- Alpine Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Nordic Skiing
- Biathlon
- Skeleton
- Wheelchair Curling
Who is eligible to be part of Team UK at the Invictus Games?
The Invictus Games eligibility criteria laid out by the Invictus Games Foundation says that the games is "an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans".
It continues: "It is the responsibility of each participating nation to select their nation's competitors to take part in the games.
"The selection must be made from servicemen and servicewomen including veterans who have been wounded, injured, or fallen ill during, or as a consequence of service, and who have been deemed to benefit the most from participating in the games as part of their recovery."
Veterans
To apply, veterans need to complete the Veteran's Eligibility Form ahead of attending their first Invictus Games training camp.
They will need to attach documentation that can confirm both proof of service and their injury or condition, such as a medical discharge letter or a letter from a medical professional stating the condition or injury, and that was caused during or as a result of service.
Serving Personnel
To apply, serving personnel need to complete the Serving Eligibility Form ahead of attending their first Invictus Games training camp.
Table A of the form will need to be completed by the applicant. The document will then need to be passed on to those in their Chain of Command who are involved in the applicant's recovery pathway. They should complete the remainder of the form and include a verified unit stamp.
Join Our Newsletter
