One Month to Go! Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 Court Sport Tournament Draws Announced
Image credit: Soldier On
Vancouver, BC, Canada, January 8, 2025 – With just one month to go until the start of the Games, supporters can now buy tickets to the first sessions of the popular tournament court sports — Wheelchair Rugby, Sitting Volleyball, and Wheelchair Basketball – with full knowledge of which Nations are playing in each session. Up to 18 Nations are competing in all three sports, including host Nation Team Canada and the reigning gold, silver, and bronze medal Nations from these competitions at the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023. The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 presented by ATCO and Boeing will be held from February 8-16.
“The tournament draws were meticulously crafted to ensure a balanced and competitive environment for all participating Nations,” said Amy Haken, Senior Sport Manager for the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.” Whether you are cheering for Team Canada or any other Nation or just want to show your support for these inspiring competitors, this is your chance to witness high energy, world-class adaptive sport while contributing to a life-changing and truly transformative event.”
Competition Fast Facts
- The tournament draws were conducted in December. To ensure a balanced and engaging competition, the top four teams from the last Invictus Games were seeded into separate pools, with the remaining teams assigned through a random draw.
- These three sports take place at the Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC) East and West Halls with access to exciting sessions across all three sports.
- Choose between VCC East and VCC West to experience the pool games, semi-finals, and finals, with each ticket tailored to maximize the action-packed schedules – with tickets starting at just $13.43 all-in for pool play. Finals for Wheelchair Basketball are sold out with finals tickets for Wheelchair Rugby and Sitting Volleyball still available for $27.98 all in.
- The Unconquered (UNQ) teams are mixed-nation teams designed to boost participation and embody the Invictus spirit through international camaraderie.
- New Nations this year include Brazil and Lithuania, competing at the Invictus Games for the very first time. Also new this year, is Afghan Unconquered, made up of former Afghan team members now residing in Australia and the US.
- Tickets are available here for these must-see events, as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, where every event is guaranteed to leave supporters awed by the competitors’ athleticism, skill, and unconquered spirit on their courageous journey of recovery.
Sport Fast Facts
- Known for being a full contact, demanding, and aggressive sport with frequent collisions, Wheelchair Rugby – originally called murderball – was invented in Canada in 1976.
- Contact, collisions and tipping are all part of Wheelchair Basketball where high speed and intense competition dominate the game invented in the 1940s as rehabilitation for World War 2 Veterans in the US and played in Canada since the same era.
- Quick reflexes, a strong upper body, agile cross-court sliding and superb ball control are all part of the fast-paced and physically demanding sport of Sitting Volleyball, invented in The Netherlands in the 1950s as rehabilitation for injured soldiers.
Media Assets:
| Sport | Images | Video | Team Canada 2025 Competitor Profile Videos |
| Wheelchair Basketball | Images | Video | Chris McGowan |
| Wheelchair Rugby | Images | Video | N/A |
| Sitting Volleyball | Images | Video | Robert Pullen Assunta Aquino Jeff Becker |
About the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025
The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, presented by ATCO and Boeing, is an international sporting competition for wounded, injured, and sick service members and Veterans. From February 8-16, 2025, the seventh Invictus Games will bring together 532 competitors from 23 nations in 11 adaptive sports in the natural beauty of British Columbia, Canada. Invictus means unconquered and the Games celebrate courage, resiliency, and the strength of the human spirit. Through the power of sport, the Games will inspire recovery, support rehabilitation, and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who have served their country.
The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 will be held on the traditional territories of the Lil̓wat7úl (Líl̓wat), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. True Patriot Love Foundation, the Government of Canada, and the Province of British Columbia are the valued Founding Partners of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.
Visit invictusgames2025.ca/media-hub/ for our latest news, supporting materials and full Games details.
For more information, please contact:
Olivia Frankel, [email protected]
Lauren Pavan, [email protected]
