Invictus Games Foundation Receives a Record Six Expressions of Interest to host the Invictus Games 2029
Lausanne, Switzerland 17th June. - The Invictus Games Foundation have received a record six Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to host an Invictus Games in 2029, 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.
Unveiled today at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, as part of the Host and Federations Summit, the Foundation shared that EOIs have been submitted from six cities from countries across four continents: Denmark, Italy, Nigeria, the Republic of Korea, Ukraine and the United States of America, reflecting the universal appeal and growing impact of the Invictus Movement worldwide.
Rob Owen OBE, CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation, said, “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. These expressions of interests are also testament to the growing global impact of being part of the Invictus Movement, and 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.”
Aalborg, Denmark - Denmark has been a core member of the Invictus community of nations since the inaugural Games in 2014. The bid is based on a tri-partite relationship between the Ministry of Defence (Government), the city of Aalborg and Sport Event Denmark. Denmark, as a core member of the Invictus Games community, has always been at the heart of sharing innovative best practice including addressing the psychological and invisible components of any injury through a focus on the importance of social inter-action and re-integration within the community. This was clearly evidenced in the journey of Danish competitor Kasper Holm Henriksen’s in the Netflix series ‘Heart of Invictus’.
Danish Bid for the Invictus Games 2029 -
Troels Lund Poulsen, Deputy Prime Minister, Denmark: “In a world marked by uncertainty and confrontation, I believe that the Invictus Games represent a unifying force.”
Veneto Region, Italy. - Italy has been a member of the community since the Invictus Games London 2014. Led by the Undersecretary of State for Defence, this expression of interest proposes a Winter-Summer hybrid Games, building on the success of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, across the Veneto Region in Verona, Padova, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and a Closing Ceremony in Venice. Following the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2026 (Milano-Cortina), the bid seeks to elevate the impact of the Paralympic movement and further drive national awareness of disability, mental health, Service and social reintegration.
Italian Bid for the Invictus Games 2029 -
Sen. Isabella Rauti, Undersecretary of State for Defence [delegated by Minister of Defence to deal with issues pertaining to the promotion and coordination of military sports activities and disability policies], Italy: “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.
Abuja, Nigeria. - Having recently joined the Invictus Games Foundation’s community of nations in 2023, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters have expressed interest in hosting the first-ever Invictus Games in Africa. Building on the success of the 2024 Africa Military Games, Nigeria aims to use the Games to shift perceptions of disability and invest in accessible infrastructure. Plans include the use of Abuja Stadium and the completion of the new Armed Forces Invictus Centre, visited by the Invictus Games Foundation earlier this year.
Nigerian Bid for the Invictus Games 2029 -
CG General Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, Nigeria: “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”
Daejeon, Republic of Korea - The official expression of interest was submitted during the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, when the process was formally opened, and is presented by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, the Korea Disabled Veterans Organisation, and Daejeon Metropolitan City. Daejeon, home to the National Cemetery and a Veterans’ Hospital, proposes a Games with sustainable legacy projects for the WIS Community. The Republic of Korea, who joined the community at the Invictus Games The Hague 2020, featured in the Netflix series Heart of Invictus which they say had already begun changing social attitudes towards disability in South Korea. The Korean government has already established a Bidding Committee, composed of key government officials and stakeholders, demonstrating its firm commitment to hosting the Games.
South Korean bid for the Invictus Games 2029 -
Kang Jung-ai, Minister, Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Republic of Korea: "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 to bring the Games back to the USA for the second time is supported by the City of San Diego and the British American Business Council San Diego. They aspire to position the Games as a model for global veteran wellness and innovations in recovery, leaving a legacy for mental health fitness. Venues include the San Diego Convention Center and Petco Park.
American Bid for the Invictus Games 2029 -
Francine Fyne Basson, President BABC San Diego, “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 - Ukraine has submitted a compelling EOI for hosting a future Invictus Games. With a demonstrable pressing need and powerful rationale for an internationally collaborative approach, Kyiv emphasises 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.
Ukranian Bid for the Invictus Games 2029 -
Natalyia Kalmykova, Ukraine Minister for Veterans Affairs. “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.”
The Invictus Games take place biennially and use sport to aid and inspire recovery for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans (WIS). The spirit of the Games therefore lies not in elite competition, but the delivery of a high-profile, international and adaptive sports event where rehabilitation of the individual is at the core.
The impact of the Invictus Games goes beyond the recovery of international Competitors. The recent Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025’s economic impact report [here] found a total net economic activity boost of $72.7m to Canada, with $3.9m in visitor spend, and 434 jobs. Following the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023, Germany announced the inaugural ‘Veterans Day’ - which was marked for the first time on Sunday June 15th supported with a video message from our Patron The Duke of Sussex.
The next Invictus Games will be taking place in Birmingham, UK, July 10th to 17th, 2027.
The breadth and quality of these six proposals reflect powerful national commitments to the values of the Invictus Movement. The Invictus Games Foundation’s Board of Trustees will now proceed to review and assess the bids ahead of the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage. Shortlisting will take place later this year and the selected host city will be unveiled in Summer 2026.
Watch the video reveal here
Invictus Games 2029: Candidate City List