Whether it’s football or athletics, time and time again, Birmingham’s proven itself to be sporting mad. We turned out in droves for the Commonwealth Games 2022, and we’re ready to throw another whopper of an event with the Invictus Games in 2027. If we can just beat the competition that is…
Founded by Prince Harry (and the Ministry of Defence), the Invictus Games is an international multi-sport event “for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans.” Its first event was held in London in 2014 and, being held every couple of years or so, has since been held in the United States, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands and Germany.
The next Invictus Games will return to Canada in 2025, but planning is already underway for 2027 – which could see the eighth edition of the games return to the UK. The shortlist is between Washington, D.C. and Birmingham. We wouldn’t often back our city against the Capital of the United States of America, but we’ve proven we can compete with the best before!
“We were privileged to make initial presentations to the Invictus Games Foundation Board earlier this month and are thrilled to move forward to the shortlist,” said Helen Helliwell, the CEO of Invictus Games 2027 UK Bid. “We have a truly compelling bid to bring the games back to the UK, showcasing the best of our Armed Forces communities and delivering on our pledge to make this the best country in the world to be a veteran.
“As well as delivering an amazing week of the Games Festival at the NEC Birmingham [a Commonwealth Games venue in 2022], we want to use the platform of the games to improve opportunities for adaptive sport, arts and employment, enabling communities to thrive, both in the run-up to the games and as a legacy from them, across the UK and beyond.”
Wherever they’re held, they will take place in February of 2027. In the meantime, Prince Harry – who lives in the US – will return to the UK to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games on May 8, 2024. He will give a reading at St Paul’s Cathedral in London. He’ll be joined by Homeland and Wolf Hall actor, Damian Lewis – who will recite the beloved Invictus poem.