Prince Harry has revealed the location for the upcoming Invictus Games following a successful visit to the UK to promote the 2027 event. The Duke of Sussex journeyed to Birmingham in early July to participate in a significant event marking the one-year countdown to next year’s Games, where he engaged with officials and veterans.
Now, Harry has announced that Daejeon, South Korea, will host the 2029 Games, expressing his delight in having them organize the sporting competition. This decision marks the first time the event will be held in Asia.
As the founder of the Invictus Games, Harry disclosed the news on Monday, stating, “We are thrilled to declare Daejeon, South Korea as the host of the 2029 Invictus Games and, on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation, we are eager to collaborate. Being chosen as the first Asian nation to host the Games, the Republic of Korea signifies an exciting new phase in our efforts to ensure that more wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans can benefit from the impact of sports and the support of the Invictus community.”
The decision to hold the games in South Korea aims to enhance understanding and backing for the military community across Asia while highlighting the importance of sports in rehabilitation, recovery, and lifelong well-being, as per the official announcement.
Scheduled from October 6 to 15, 2029, the games will be hosted in and around the Daejeon Convention Centre in Yuseong-gu, bringing together 550 competitors from 26 nations supported by 1,100 family members and friends across 12 sports.
Lord Allen, chair of the Invictus Games Foundation, remarked, “Today’s announcement is a pivotal moment for the Invictus Movement. We are excited to designate Daejeon as the chosen host of the Invictus Games 2029 and anticipate our collaboration. Representing the first Asian nation selected to host the Games, the Republic of Korea represents an exciting new chapter in our pursuit to ensure that more wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans, regardless of their location, can gain from the power of sports and the support of the Invictus community.”
Harry founded the Invictus Games in London in 2014, aiming to challenge perceptions of disability, promote adaptive sports, and showcase the resilience, determination, and unconquered spirit of wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans.
During the early July visit, the Duke traveled to Britain to participate in the One Year To Go ceremony, engaging in various sports activities alongside former Labour minister Al Carns and TV personality Alison Hammond. Additionally, he reunited with his friend and former Invictus Games competitor Dave Henson for a game of pickleball, one of the new events introduced in the 2027 Games program. Harry also took part in wheelchair rugby and a laser run before addressing the attendees.