The Invictus Games

The Invictus Games has shortlisted three host cities for 2029 (Image: GETTY)

Which cities are shortlisted for Invictus Games 2029?

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Prince Harry’s Invictus Games Foundation has announced a shortlist of host cities for the upcoming Invictus Games 2029. The successful host city for the Invictus Games 2029 will be announced in summer 2026, following a series of site visits and assessments with each shortlisted bid.

Each of the shortlisted cities demonstrated alignment with the Invictus Games’ core purpose of supporting the recovery and rehabilitation of international wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans, while also presenting credible plans to extend impact beyond the Games themselves, the organisation stated. Rob Owen OBE, Chief Executive of the Invictus Games Foundation, said: “The quality, ambition and heart shown across all the bids for the Invictus Games 2029 has been truly inspiring. An unprecedented number of applications show a strong foundation for the future of the Invictus Games, and a collective belief in the power of the Invictus Movement.”

 

Prince Harry sitting with contestants at Invictus Games

Prince Harry founded the games after seeing the power of sport in helping veterans (Image: Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images for Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler)

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The three cities are; Aalborg (Denmark), Daejeon (Republic of Korea) and San Diego (United States of America).

He continued: “Aalborg, Daejeon and San Diego each demonstrated not only the ability to deliver outstanding Games, but also a deep understanding of how Invictus can catalyse lasting systemic change for individuals, communities and societies.

“We are equally grateful to Italy, Nigeria and Ukraine for the extraordinary commitment behind their proposals. These were all fantastic bids, the decision was not easy, and so our relationship with each country will continue.

“Through initiatives such as Nigeria’s Armed Forces Invictus Centre and the Signature Programme for Ukraine, we remain focused on growing the Invictus Movement and extending its impact well beyond a single host city.

“We now look forward to the next phase of assessment and collaboration as we work together to determine the best home for Invictus Games 2029.”

Prince Harry

The next games will take place in Birmingham in 2027 (Image: Eric Charbonneau/Invictus Games Foundation via Getty Images)

Before the 2029 edition takes place, Birmingham will first welcome competitors when it stages the games in 2027, having previously secured hosting rights for that year’s event.

It began on a trip to the Warrior Games in the USA in 2013, when Prince Harry saw how the power of sport could help wounded servicemen and women in their recovery – physically, psychologically and socially.

Harry decided London would host the inaugural Invictus Games in 2014, an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick Service personnel.

Launching the Games, Prince Harry said: “I have witnessed first-hand how the power of sport can positively impact the lives of wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women in their journey of recovery.”