What Happened to Invictus Games?

The Invictus Games originated from Prince Harry's visit to the Warrior Games in the United States in 2013, where he witnessed the profound impact of sport on the psychological and physical recovery of wounded service members. Inspired by this, he founded the Invictus Games in partnership with The Royal Foundation and the UK Ministry of Defence, with the inaugural event taking place in London in 2014. The name 'Invictus,' Latin for 'unconquered,' embodies the resilient spirit of the participants.

Over the years, the Games have grown significantly, hosting events in various cities worldwide, including Orlando (2016), Toronto (2017), Sydney (2018), and The Hague (2022, postponed from 2020 due to the pandemic). The 2023 Invictus Games were held in Düsseldorf, Germany, from September 9-16, welcoming approximately 500 competitors from 21 nations to compete in ten adaptive sports. This event was a significant milestone, marking Germany's first time hosting the Games and introducing nations from South America and Africa.

A key development was the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada, held in February 2025. This edition was groundbreaking as it was the first to feature winter adaptive sports, including alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, skeleton, and wheelchair curling, alongside traditional adaptive sports. The bid for these Games was a collaborative effort involving the True Patriot Love Foundation, the Canadian government, and local Indigenous nations, emphasizing reconciliation.

However, the Games also faced challenges. In 2025, a retired Canadian Armed Forces veteran, Scott Snow, filed a $2.4 million lawsuit against Canada's Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces after sustaining serious injuries during a wheelchair rugby match at the 2023 Games. He alleged a lack of sports-injury insurance coverage for veteran competitors. This incident brought attention to an insurance gap, which the Canadian government subsequently addressed by introducing coverage for veterans at future Invictus Games, though not retroactively for Snow's case.

As of 2026, the Invictus Games Foundation continues its mission. The Invictus Germany movement, stemming from the 2023 Games, has established ongoing initiatives, including the Invictus Germany Sports Festival, which took place from June 12-14, 2026, in Düsseldorf, further promoting inclusion and rehabilitation. Looking ahead, Birmingham, UK, has been selected to host the Invictus Games in July 2027, with plans for a single-site setup at the National Exhibition Centre to enhance accessibility and sustainability. The Foundation is also actively working with organizations interested in hosting future Games in 2029 and 2031, with the host city for 2029 expected to be announced in 2026.