Republic of Korea Becomes First Asian Country Selected to Host the Invictus Games Daejeon 2029
Daejeon, Republic of Korea has been selected by the Invictus Games Foundation as the preferred host of the Invictus Games 2029, marking a landmark moment for the global Invictus Movement as the Republic of Korea becomes the first nation in Asia chosen to host the international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans.
Following a very competitive international bidding process, the Invictus Games Foundation’s Board has selected Daejeon as the successful bid. The next stage will see the Foundation and the Daejeon 2029 organising team work together to finalise the Event Hosting Agreement, after which detailed planning will begin, as they are set to take place with 12 sports from 6–15 October 2029 and bring together around 550 competitors from 26 nations supported by 1,100 family members and friends.
The selection will allow the Foundation to grow the Invictus Movement into new regions of the world, ensuring that more members of the military community can access the life-changing power of sport for recovery. The next Invictus Games will take place next year in Birmingham, UK in July 2027. Daejeon 2029 will receive the Invictus Games flag as part the Closing Ceremony in the UK to take up the mantle for the following two years.
The Invictus Games have inspired millions around the world since their inception in London in 2014, challenging perceptions of disability, championing adaptive sport, and demonstrating the resilience, determination and unconquered spirit of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans. Hosting the Games in the Republic of Korea will provide an opportunity to further strengthen understanding and support for the military community across Asia while showcasing the role that sport can play in rehabilitation, recovery and lifelong wellbeing.
Lord Allen, Chair of the Invictus Games Foundation, said:
"Today's announcement is a defining moment for the Invictus Movement. We are delighted to announce Daejeon as the preferred host of the Invictus Games 2029 and, on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation, we look forward to working together.
As the first Asian nation selected to host the Games, the Republic of Korea represents an exciting new chapter in our journey to ensure that more wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans, wherever they live, can benefit from the power of sport and the strength of the Invictus community.
“We were deeply impressed by Daejeon's vision, the commitment of its partners and the ambition to create a lasting legacy that extends far beyond the closing ceremony. Together, we have an opportunity to inspire millions, challenge perceptions of disability and military service, and demonstrate that recovery is possible through connection, purpose and sport.
Our sincere thanks for the incredible bids also from Aalborg, Denmark and San Diego, USA. We look forward to working with those teams in other ways building on the impressive networks developed as part of their bids."
The Republic of Korea has become an increasingly active member of the Invictus Community, since joining at the Invictus Games The Hague 2020 and participating in each Invictus Games since to strengthen their programmes that support wounded, injured and sick service personnel through sport and recovery. The selection of Daejeon reflects both the country's commitment to its service community and its ambition to build a lasting legacy across the wider Asia-Pacific region.
The Games will also build on the powerful stories that have already introduced audiences around the world to the Korean Invictus Games Community, including Mr Na, whose journey featured in the Netflix documentary series Heart of Invictus. His story of resilience and recovery offered millions of viewers an insight into the transformative impact of the Invictus Movement and highlighted the courage and determination of Korea's wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans.
Mr Na Hyeongyoon, former Invictus Games competitor and star of Netflix series, Heart of Invictus, said, “I have always believed that the greatest barrier is not disability itself, but the way society perceives it. Through the Invictus Games, I have seen that those perceptions can change. Now, in 2029, it will be Korea’s turn to lead that change. I hope the Invictus Games in Daejeon will showcase the strength, potential, and pride of our wounded service personnel and veterans and become a turning point in transforming how our society sees them.”
Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul said, “Bringing the Invictus Games 2029 to Daejeon, Republic of Korea, is a historic and deeply meaningful achievement, as the Games honouring the unconquered spirit of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans from around the world will be held on Korean soil for the first time in Asia.
The Government will work closely with Daejeon Metropolitan City and the Korea Disabled Veterans Organization not only to deliver the finest Invictus Games to date, but also to ensure that the Games serve as a platform for the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans from around the world, as well as for solidarity and unity.”
The Invictus Games Foundation will now enter the formal host contracting process with the Daejeon 2029 organising team. Once the Event Hosting Agreement has been completed, planning will commence across venue operations, competitor services, sport delivery, volunteering, ceremonies and legacy programmes, including an observer programme at the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027.
The Invictus Games Daejeon 2029 will bring together competitors from across the growing Invictus Community of Nations, united by the belief that sport has the power to support recovery, rebuild confidence, strengthen families and communities, and demonstrate the unconquered human spirit.