The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 Kick Off with Patriotic ‘Paddle Together’ Ceremony Celebrating the Invictus Spirit
Vancouver, BC, February 8, 2025 – Let the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 begin! A spectacular Opening Ceremony at Vancouver’s sold-out BC Place Stadium – with 500+ enthusiastic competitors from 23 Nations, an unprecedented talent lineup, inspiring guest speaker remarks including Presenting Partners ATCO and Boeing, and unbridled excitement – has kicked off nine days of exhilarating sport competition. Fast-paced Wheelchair Basketball started tonight with first matches featuring Germany vs Canada and Israel vs France.
“This was the most poignant and relevant Opening Ceremony the Invictus Games has ever seen, attended by more people than ever before, with absolutely superb artists, performers, pipers and competitor stories,” said Dominic Reid, CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation. “Chris Martin’s performance of his Invictus Games Anthem brought us full circle from the Invictus Games London 2014. It was a triumph that will supercharge the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 and its impact on competitors and spectators alike.”
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Founder of the Invictus Games Foundation said from the stadium’s center stage, “In this moment of difficulty and division in many parts of the world, we gather here in Vancouver in a spirit of unity.” He then added, “Beyond any differences, here at the Invictus Games, we are grounded in mutual respect, competing fiercely, but believing in one another, supporting one another and rooting for one another.” In a message directly to the Games competitors, he said, “Show the world the grandeur in your attempt at victory. Show the world why you are Invictus.”
By the Numbers:
- 1 incredible Opening Ceremony with 40,000 spectators
- 3 giant seafaring inflatables: 1 humpback whale and 3 dolphins swimming over the crowd who were waving 28,000 blue mylar pom-poms, creating a sea of celebration and welcoming the arriving Nations to shore
- 4 Host First Nations: Lil’wat, Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh
- 5 spectacular headliners
- 8 inspiring Guest Speakers
- 10 custom-designed 14ft tall puppets
- 16 drummers representing all Four Host Nations
- 23 Canadian Armed Forces Cadets escorting each Nation into the stadium
- 175 Invictus Games 2025 volunteers dedicated to the event
- 800+ performers, including:
- 80 dancers from British Columbia’s Lower Mainland who performed with Katy Perry and Roxane Bruneau
- 350 British Columbia-based pipers and Indigenous drummers
- 51 local chorale vocalists who performed with Chris Martin
- 980 costumes
- 15700 rehearsal hours
Content Downloads:
- Media Hub: https://invictusgames2025.ca/media-hub/
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 up to 550 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.
For more information, visit invictusgames2025.ca/media-hub/.
