Prince Harry's Invictus Games: A Beacon Of Hope For Veterans

The Invictus Games military sports event has become one of Prince Harry's most impactful social projects, creating meaningful change in veteran communities around the world. Launched in 2014, this initiative has united athletes from various nations, showcasing their resilience and determination. The events have attracted the world’s press and social media attention, largely due to Prince Harry’s dedication and promotion efforts.

With a vision of empowering injured servicemen and women, the Invictus Games not only provide a platform for athletic competition but also foster camaraderie among veterans. This unique tournament has had a profound impact on the lives of many participants, proving that sports can play a crucial role in rehabilitation and recovery.

Here, Newsweek looks at everything you need to know about Prince Harry's Invictus Games, exploring its origins, significance, and future events.

What Are the Invictus Games?

The Invictus Games are a sports tournament held on average every two years in a major world city to provide wounded, sick, and injured veterans with an international platform to showcase their mental and physical rehabilitation. The games feature a roster of adaptive individual and team sports, including sitting volleyball, swimming, athletics, and wheelchair rugby.

National teams of athletes come from over 20 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Nigeria, Ukraine, and Afghanistan. This diverse representation highlights the global commitment to supporting veterans and recognizing their sacrifices.

How Is Prince Harry Involved With the Games?

Prince Harry is heavily involved with the Invictus Games and co-founded the event in 2014 while working with the Royal Foundation, which he then shared with Prince William and Princess Kate. Harry is both the founder and patron of the Invictus Games and Invictus Games Foundation.

He attends governance meetings, engages in fundraising activities, and maintains relationships with the veteran community that the games serve. The prince attends the games each time they are held, traditionally making speeches at the opening and closing ceremonies, which are large events usually featuring popular musical artists and performances.

Since 2017, the prince's wife, Meghan Markle, has attended the games on select days. In 2023, Harry released a docuseries through Netflix titled Heart of Invictus, which followed veterans on their journeys to compete in the 2022 games held in the Netherlands.

Are the Invictus Games Linked to the Warrior Games?

Prince Harry credits getting the idea for the Invictus Games from a visit he made to the Warrior Games during a 2013 trip to the United States. The Warrior Games were founded in 2010 to celebrate the mental and physical achievements of wounded U.S. Army veterans through sporting endeavors.

After spending time with competitors and organizers in Colorado, Harry reflected in his memoir Spare that he "kept going over those games in my mind, wondering if we could do something similar in Britain." This reflection led to the creation of the Invictus Games, which first took place in London in 2014, welcoming competitors from around the globe.

Though there are no formal links between the two institutions, Harry has continued to support the Warrior Games, recently attending the 2023 event in San Diego, California.

What Is the Invictus Games Foundation?

The Invictus Games Foundation is the charitable organization that governs and oversees the Invictus Games brand. This foundation plays a vital role in selecting the host cities for the games and fundraises for their activities. Through its efforts, the foundation ensures that the Invictus Games can continue to inspire and provide support to veterans around the world.

When Are the Next Invictus Games?

The next Invictus Games will be held in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada, from February 8 to 16, 2025. This will be the second time Canada has hosted the games, with Toronto being the host city back in 2017. The 2025 games will mark the first inclusion of winter sports in its roster of activities.

Bids are currently underway for Birmingham in England and Washington, D.C., to host the 2027 games. An announcement regarding which city has been successful in its bid is expected to be made in July 2024.

James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.

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