The UK has successfully won the bid to host the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027. The result was announced 23 July at an unveiling event with Invictus Games Foundation (IGF) CEO Dominic Reid OBE, defence veterans minister Al Carns, and the Invictus Games bid 2027 CEO Helen Helliwell at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.
Competing against bids from six cities around the world, Birmingham won the bid through its strong commitment to the welfare and recovery of serving personnel and veterans.
The IGF Board of Trustees had previously shortlisted Birmingham UK and Washington DC, USA as the two final cities in the running for hosting the eighth Invictus Games, after initial interest from six cities.
Following presentations from both bidding teams earlier this year, the Birmingham bid was awarded the Games, highlighting the venue choice of the National Exhibition Centre and the demonstration by the bidding team of their commitment to the welfare and recovery of the international cohort of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans.
The 2027 Games will be held at the NEC in July 2027, two years on from the upcoming Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, taking place next year in February.
Ian Taylor, Managing Director, NEC Group, said: “We’re so proud that the UK bid to host Invictus Games 2027 has been successful and we’re thrilled that the NEC and Birmingham will play host to such an inspirational event.
“It’s fantastic that this region will once again be hosting a major international large-scale sporting event, we cannot wait to welcome the competitors and visitors to the NEC!”
Lord Allen, chair of the Invictus Games Foundation, said: “Congratulations to Birmingham. The Trustees were very taken by the depth of passion in the bidding team, the experience they brought to the planning and preparations and to the concept of the NEC as a one-site Games. Our thanks go to the team behind the Washington DC bid who were able to demonstrate the city could be a fantastic location for the future. As the Foundation looks to the next ten years, we’re excited about the Games pipeline we are building, and for the next ten years of Invictus.”
Helen Helliwell, CEO of the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, added: “I am honoured our bid has been selected, bringing the Invictus Games back to the UK. At NEC Birmingham, we’ll host the most cohesive, sustainable event in Invictus Games history with all sports, ceremonies, and accommodation on one fantastic site. Beyond the Games, our legacy programs will benefit communities nationwide, from adaptive sports to arts and employment.”
The Invictus Games Foundation offers a recovery pathway for international wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women (WIS).
The Invictus Games was set up in London 2014 by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, now Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation. As governing body for the Invictus Games, the Foundation selects host cities, oversees the delivery of the competition, including categorisation, sports rules, and international broadcast rights, and provides continued guidance for the organising committee in the run up to delivery. The Games are a biennial multinational adaptive sporting competition involving 23 nations, with over 500 competitors, 1,000 friends and families and more than 100,000 visitors.
The bid for the Invictus Games 2027 is no longer linked to Birmingham City Council. While Birmingham City Council tendered and contracted for the initial proposal, this bid has been funded and managed through Government partners to enable its continuation.
For more information please visit www.invictusgamesfoundation.org.
