Invictus
Means Unconquered
The term embodies the fighting spirit of the participating men and women, as well as their motivation to move on with their lives, to gain a new place in life, and to not let themselves be defined by the trauma they have suffered.
The Invictus Games Foundation charity supports the recovery and rehabilitation of international wounded injured and sick service personnel and veterans through sport. It was established following the success of the first Invictus Games in London in 2014, with the aim of spreading the Invictus Spirit worldwide. The Invictus Games Foundation governs the delivery of the Invictus Games, runs an online community (We Are Invictus) and as well as provides year-round sport recovery and adventurous challenge opportunities beyond the Games across 23 nations.
Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, is Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation and founder of the Invictus Games, which has so far been held in London 2014, Orlando 2016, Toronto 2017, Sydney 2018, The Hague 2022, and Dusseldorf 2023.
Through providing sport recovery opportunities and adventurous challenge, the Foundation’s work supports long term improvements in physical and mental health, inspires change and motivates wider society, and helps wounded injured and sick service personnel and veterans reconnect with their families and communities. The online community is facilitated via We Are Invictus, a free bespoke app and platform built by and for the WIS community.
Invictus Games
History
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May 2013
The Duke of Sussex visits the Warriors Games in USA -
London – September 2014
The first ever Invictus Games takes place in London at the Copperbox Arena, Olympic Park. -
Orlando – May 2016
The second Invictus Games Orlando taking place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. -
Toronto – September 2017
Canada hosts for the first time in Toronto -
Sydney – October 2018
Made Your Mark, Down Under – Invictus Games Sydney 2018 -
Hague – April 2022
After being rescheduled twice, Invictus Games hosts at the Hague successfully attracting almost a hundred thousand visitors throughout the week. -
Düsseldorf – September 2023
A Home For Respect – Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 to occur this fall from September 9th to the 16th -
Vancouver Whistler – February 2025
The first-ever winter Invictus Games to come to Vancouver and Whistler
Duke of Sussex
In 2008, following deployment to Afghanistan, The Duke of Sussex returned with three severely injured individuals on their flight back and the body of a Danish soldier. Witnessing firsthand the profound impact of both visible and invisible injuries, it became evident that there was a clear and urgent need for awareness of trauma, and support in their transition back to civilian life.
In 2013, The Duke attended the Warrior Games, a competition for wounded, injured and sick military personnel. Watching their expression and significant positive impact from the competition, sparked a fire for The Duke. Seeing the need to expand this community, he decided to organize an international event in the UK, forming the first ever Invictus Games London 2014.
Through the power of sport and the unconquered human spirit— a shared journey of recovery
