Q. What are the Invictus Games?

A. Founded in 2014 by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, the Invictus Games are an international adaptive sports competition for wounded, injured, and ill military personnel and veterans. The event features 12 adaptive sports which are tailored to fit competitors of any injury categorization. The 2027 Invictus Games takes place in Birmingham, United Kingdom from 11-17 July. The mission of the Games is to harness the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation, and generate broader societal understanding and respect for those who serve their countries. Learn more about the event at Invictus Games Birmingham 2027.

Q. How are the Invictus Games related to the Warrior Games?

A. The Warrior Games were established in 2010 to highlight the physical resilience and mental toughness of wounded, ill, and injured active-duty service members and veterans and leverage the power of adaptive sports as part of their recovery journeys. In 2013, Prince Harry attended the Warrior Games and was deeply moved by the competitors’ resilience and the transformative impact of sport. Inspired by that experience, he founded the Invictus Games Foundation in 2014, expanding the concept to an international stage and uniting a global wounded warrior community.

Q. How is Team U.S. selected?

A. Team US is composed of wounded, ill, and injured active-duty service members and recently medically retired veterans representing the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Competitors are selected through their respective service branch’s Warrior Care Program (the Army Recovery Care Program, Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment, Navy Wounded Warrior, Air Force Wounded Warrior, and SOCOM Care Coalition). Selection is based on performance and sportsmanship demonstrated at events such as the Warrior Games, and personal recovery journeys. For more information, please contact your service’s Warrior Care Program.

Q. What are adaptive sports?

A. Adaptive sports are competitive or recreational athletics modified to allow individuals with physical limitations, chronic health conditions, or psychological injuries to fully participate. These sports accommodate visible injuries, such as limb loss and spinal cord trauma, as well as invisible wounds like Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS). Through modified equipment (such as handcycles, sport wheelchairs, and adaptive prosthetics) and functional categorization systems, adaptive sports ensure fair competition while accelerating physical reconditioning and mental wellness.

Q. Why are the Invictus Games important?

A. The Invictus Games are designed to enhance recovery and demonstrate that life after life-altering injury or illness is full of purpose and potential. By moving rehabilitation beyond traditional clinic and hospital walls and into the sporting arena, the Games help wounded, ill, and injured service members reclaim their athletic identity, rebuild self-confidence, and regain the camaraderie of a team. Just as importantly, the Invictus Games honor the essential role of families, friends, and caregivers whose unconditional love and dedication form the foundation of each competitor’s recovery journey.