Prince Harry congratulates Birmingham on being the host city for the 2027 Invictus Games

PRINCE Harry has congratulated Birmingham on becoming the host city for the 2027 Invictus Games.

The Duke of Sussex, who founded the games for service personnel and wounded, injured and ill veterans, congratulated Birmingham for becoming the host city and said strong links with the Armed Forces community made it a “formidable competitor since beginning”.

The government-backed proposal, which highlighted the Marston Green site as the venue of choice, eliminated competition from Washington DC, USA to oversee the eight matches.

Prince Harry, patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, said: “Congratulations to Birmingham on winning the bid to host the 2027 Invictus Games.

“Your city’s strong ties to the Armed Forces community made it a formidable candidate from the start. Over the years, we’ve seen each city bring a unique spirit and vision to life for the contestants, their families and spectators.

“We have no doubt that the people of Birmingham will join together to celebrate the unwavering respect and admiration we have for our veteran and service community, showing the world how their courage ignites hope and unites us all – something your city he knows well.”

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The result was announced at an unveiling event with Invictus Games Foundation Chief Executive Dominic Reid, Veterans Defense Minister Al Carns and Invictus Games 2027 Chief Executive Helen Helliwell at the NEC.

As well as the flag raising there were also demonstrations of some of the new sports at the Games, Pickleball and Laser Run, with former competitors

Helen Helliwell, Chief Executive of Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, said: “I am honored that our bid has been selected, bringing the Invictus Games back to the UK. At the NEC Birmingham, we will host the most cohesive and sustainable event in the history of the Invictus Games, with all sports, ceremonies and accommodation on one fantastic site. Beyond the Games, our legacy programs will benefit communities across the country, from adaptive sports to the arts and jobs.”

Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 will be held in July 2027, two years after the upcoming Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, which will take place next year in February.

Stephen ‘Hoops’ Hooper, UK team captain for Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, said: “It’s great that the Invictus Games are coming to Birmingham.

“This will mean the world to Team UK, not only for their friends and family to be able to watch them compete, but also for the British public to cheer them on.

“Birmingham is a special place for service personnel and wounded, injured and ill veterans because they all come here at one time or another.

“With the Royal British Legion’s support for Team UK, Invictus has helped me embrace life again.

“As we prepare for Canada next year, it’s great to know the Games will be back home in 2027.”

Nearby connections to the Birmingham 2027 Invictus Games venue include the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, which receives and treats wounded, injured and ill service personnel and veterans, the Royal College of Defense Medicine, which trains UK clinicians, and the Medical Rehabilitation Center of Defense, Stanford Hall, a world-class military rehabilitation asset.