Canada Wins 2025 Bid for Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler

The Duke of Sussex, Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, announced today that the bid for the Invictus Games 2025 has been awarded to Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, in partnership with True Patriot Love Foundation. These Games will be the first to incorporate winter adaptive sports, in addition to some of the core sports from previous Invictus Games. True Patriot Love is partnering with the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia and First Nations in Vancouver and Whistler to ensure the Invictus Games 2025 will be the most innovative and accessible Games to-date.

The Invictus Games 2025 will bring together over 500 competitors from 20 nations to compete in adaptive sports, including the new winter sports: Alpine Skiing, Nordic Skiing, Skeleton, and Wheelchair Curling, in addition to the core Invictus Games sports of indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball. Vancouver and Whistler were selected as the host cities by the Invictus Games Foundation following a competitive bid process.

The Invictus Games 2025 will be held on the unceded territories of the x ʷ məθ kʷə y əm (Musqueam), S ḵwxw ú7mesh (Squamish), S ə l ílw ətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, Skalulmecw L íl wat ̓ Nation and the G élpcal L ílwat Nation. The Invictus Games 2025 are working closely to ensure they respond to Canada’s Truth & Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, and ensure Indigenous protocols are respected in all aspects of the Games.

Events will be held across Vancouver and Whistler in February 2025. True Patriot Love Foundation has worked closely with governments at all levels in preparing the bid and is delighted to have the full support and engagement of the Government of Canada, Province of British Columbia and the municipalities of Vancouver and Whistler.

True Patriot Love is Canada’s Foundation for the military community, working to support military members, Veterans, and their families at every stage of their journey. True Patriot Love advocates for the needs of military members and Veterans and ensures resources are directed where they are needed most. The organization is thrilled to continue the tradition of Canada hosting successful Games, such as the Invictus Games Toronto 2017, which draw inspirational competitors from around the world and to ensuring we support all those who have been wounded, injured or become ill through their time in the military through the inspirational power of sport and the Invictus Games. Additional details will be released in the coming months. The public is encouraged to visit InvictusGames2025.ca to find out more about how they can support and participate.

QUOTES

“I’m excited that Canada will host the 2025 Invictus Games. In partnership with the True Patriot Love Foundation, we look forward to welcoming competitors to beautiful British Columbia where their athleticism, drive, and competitive spirit will be on full display in the first-ever Winter Invictus Games. Canadians look forward to welcoming you once again.”

– The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

“Together our Nations would be proud to provide the stage for these unconquered warriors to inspire the world…”

– Gélpcal Chief Joseph, Respected Leader Khelsilem, Skalulmecw Chief Nelson, Chief Sparrow, Chief Thomas – x ʷ məθ kʷə y əm (Musqueam), S ḵwxw ú7mesh (Squamish), S ə l ílw ətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, Skalulmecw L íl wat ̓ Nation and the G élpcal L ílwat Nation.

“British Columbia is proud to host the 2025 Invictus Game and, for the first time, athletes competing in winter adaptive sports,” said John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia. “We stand ready to welcome athletes from the global military community to Vancouver and Whistler. Many have made tremendous sacrifices and overcome extraordinary barriers to be competing at the Invictus Games – and British Columbians will be there to cheer them on.”

– Premier John Horgan

“True Patriot Love Foundation is thrilled Canada has been chosen to host the Invictus Games 2025. We are excited to bring this new, innovative concept of a hybrid winter games to Vancouver and Whistler, increasing access to the Invictus Games through the introduction of new snow and ice sports. We are proud of the partnership and trust that has been built with the First Nations communities and the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and look forward to delivering a Games in 2025 that has a lasting impact on the province of British Columbia, Canada’s military community, and competitors and their families from around the world.”

– Nick Booth, Chief Executive Officer, True Patriot Love Foundation

“I am thrilled to hear that Canada will host the 2025 Invictus Games in British Columbia. Sports and team competition can make a huge difference for Veterans as they transition to life after service. I saw it first-hand at this year’s Games in The Hague, where competitors inspired us with their resilience, discipline and dedication. I can’t wait to cheer for our team on their home soil and to see the whole country come together to support Team Canada and the rest of the competitors at the 2025 Games.”

– The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

“The Invictus Games remind the world that our injuries and disabilities do not define us. For so many veterans and members of the Armed Forces, the Invictus Games allow their story to be written on their terms. Canada is honoured to be part of that mission, and to host an event that harnesses the power of sport to transform an individual’s life. My hometown of Vancouver, and Whistler, have proven themselves to be world-class sport event destinations. I know that our veterans and their families will have the experience of a lifetime here in 2025.”

– The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion

“We are proud to bring the Invictus Games back home in 2025. Canadians create environments that value and respect individuals for their diverse talents, and the Invictus Games will showcase that to the world. It will be an exciting time for Indigenous communities in British Columbia and their representation at the games.”

– The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence

“This will be a wonderful opportunity for our courageous service members and Veterans to compete, and inspire their fellow Canadians, here at home. This event will also be the first edition to include winter sports and I am thrilled for our Canadian competitors to demonstrate their versatile athleticism. I would like to thank The Duke of Sussex for bringing the Invictus Games back to Canada.”

– General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff

“I am thrilled that Invictus Games are coming here to Vancouver and Whistler, B.C. I am even more excited that these will be the first ever winter and summer hybrid event. This is also an important example of reconciliation in action. The Invictus delegates have really demonstrated the power of partnerships, the power of working with local host nations and the power of sport. I look forward to receiving the athletes from around the world to one of the best province on earth. Congratulations to Invictus Games organizers for making this possible.”

– Melanie Mark, British Columbia Minister of Tourism, Art, Culture and Sport

“We are so proud that Vancouver has been selected to once again welcome the world by hosting the Invictus Games 2025 in partnership with the Resort Municipality of Whistler. The first ever winter edition of the Invictus Games could not have taken place anywhere else. The legacies of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games will provide the Invictus Games Foundation the perfect stage for this monumental event. Our world class destination, infrastructure and venues are second to none; and we will ensure the veteran competitors, their family and friends and the Invictus Games team experience all Vancouver has to offer creating a memory that will last a lifetime. Congratulations to all the bid partners and we look forward to beginning the celebration now in the lead up to 2025.”

– Mayor Kennedy Stewart

“On behalf of the Resort Municipality of Whistler I want to share our excitement that the games are returning to Canada and coming to our community. Whistler shares a commitment to inclusion and diversity, and our winter sport hosting roots run deep so the inclusion of winter sports in the Invictus Games for the first time is an excellent fit. Whistler is honoured to be co host along with Vancouver and in close partnership with regional First Nations and we look very forward to welcoming this powerful event.”

– Mayor Jack Crompton

We are both honoured and thrilled to officially be hosting the inaugural 2025 Invictus Games Adaptive Alpine Snow Sports Race. The Invictus Games’ mission, and support of both active military and veterans, is something that we feel passionately about at Whistler Blackcomb and across Vail Resorts. It aligns with our own core values, including that of inclusivity, and is something we are collectively so passionate about. We have long felt that snow sports must continue to evolve to be more inclusive and, importantly, adaptable, for everyone who joins our community. We are grateful to the Invictus Games for this incredible opportunity, and we look forward to hosting all of the amazing and inspiring athletes who will join us in 2025!

– Geoff Buchheister, COO – Whistler Blackcomb

Quick Facts about the Invictus Games and additional quotes from government and key stakeholders is available online at InvictusGames2025.ca. Video messages from The Duke of Sussex, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and others will also be available at InvictusGames2025.ca

ABOUT TRUE PATRIOT LOVE

True Patriot Love is Canada’s Foundation for the military community, working to support military members, Veterans, and their families at every stage of their journey. By working as a trusted partner with local charities, social enterprises, the Canadian Armed Forces and the federal and provincial governments, True Patriot Love advocates for the needs of military members and Veterans and ensures resources are directed where they are needed most.

True Patriot Love has raised $35 million for Veterans and their families, reaching nearly 40,000 beneficiaries and supported nearly 1,000 community-based programs across the country.

From global initiatives like the Invictus Games – of which True Patriot Love is the main funder of Team Canada – to local wellness centres and mental health programs, True Patriot Love has a research-backed approach that provides ongoing funding, partnerships and knowledge sharing to Canada’s most vital military and Veteran support programs.

Learn more about us.

Find us at:
Twitter: @tplfoundation
Instagram: @tplfoundation
Facebook: True Patriot Love Foundation
Linkedin: True Patriot Love Foundation

ABOUT THE INVICTUS GAMES FOUNDATION

The Invictus Games Foundation is the charity behind the Invictus Games. Founded in 2014 post the inaugural Invictus Games London 2014, the Foundation oversees the delivery of the Invictus Games as well as supports its international community with opportunities to use sports, esports and adventurous challenge for recovery, beyond the Games.

The Duke of Sussex is Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation. The Invictus Games have so far taken place in London 2014, Orlando 2016, Toronto 2017, Sydney 2018 and The Hague 2022.

More information can be found at www.invictusgamesfoundation.org
Twitter: @weareinvictus
Instagram: @WeAreInvictusGames
Facebook: InvictusGamesFoundation
Linkedin: Invictus-Games-Foundation

ABOUT THE INVICTUS GAMES

• The inaugural Invictus Games were held in September 2014 in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Over 400 competitors participated and over 5000 spectators attended the opening ceremony
• Since then, Invictus Games have been held in Orlando (2016), Toronto (2017), Sydney (2018) and The Hague (2022)
• The next Invictus Games are scheduled for Düsseldorf in 2023
• True Patriot Love Foundation was instrumental in securing the 2017 Toronto Invictus Games

ABOUT THE INVICTUS GAMES 2025 VANCOUVER WHISTLER

The Invictus Games 2025 will be the first Games to feature winter sports
The featured sports include:

• Alpine Skiing
• Skeleton
• Wheelchair Curling
• Nordic Skiing
• Swimming
• Indoor rowing
• Sitting volleyball
• Wheelchair rugby
• Wheelchair basketball

The Games will be hosted over the course of 8 days in February 2025
Venues will include:

• Vancouver Convention Centre
• Rogers Arena
• Vancouver Curling Centre
• Whistler Blackcomb
• Whistler Olympic Park
• Whistler Sliding Centre