Prince Harry’s Invictus Games Is Heading to a New Country, and It’s Not the US
While Invictus has been held mostly in Western countries, it has been reported that the games have found a new host country.
Prince Harry serves as the founding patron of the Invictus Games, which were launched in London in 2014. Since then, the multi-sport event has reached major milestones while remaining dedicated to its charitable mission of supporting veterans. The Duke recently participated in a series of events marking the one-year countdown to the next games, which will take place in Birmingham in 2027.
While the Invictus Games have predominantly been held in Western countries, the event is now expanding its global footprint. “It was so clear to me. Let’s invite as many countries as possible to make it international, because clearly more countries need to benefit from this,” Harry said during an interview for TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in Sports list. True to his vision, the games are officially set to be hosted in an Asian country for the very first time.
According to People, the Invictus Games will be held in Daejeon, South Korea, in 2029. "Today’s announcement is a defining moment for the Invictus Movement,” Prince Harry noted during the announcement, officially designating Daejeon as the host—making South Korea the first Asian nation to hold the event. The Duke expressed his excitement about collaborating with the Republic of Korea, emphasizing the Games' role in supporting wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans through sport and community.
The host selection was highly competitive, with San Diego, California, and Aalborg, Denmark, also in the running. Rob Owen, chief executive of the Invictus Games, praised the quality and ambition of the bids, highlighting the high volume of applications as a strong foundation for the future. He noted that Daejeon, San Diego, and Aalborg all showcased their ability to host exceptional games while demonstrating a clear understanding of how the movement drives meaningful change for individuals and communities alike, as previously reported by People.
A total of 12 sporting events are planned for the 2029 Games in South Korea, which are expected to bring together approximately 550 competitors from 26 nations, along with their families and friends. Lord Charles Allen, Chair of the Invictus Games Foundation, highlighted the selection of Daejeon as a "defining moment." Echoing Prince Harry's vision, Allen added: "We were deeply impressed by Daejeon’s vision, the commitment of its partners, and the ambition to create a lasting legacy that extends far beyond the closing ceremony."
Na Hyeongyoon, a former competitor who was featured in the Netflix docuseries Heart of Invictus, emphasized how the games help transform public perceptions surrounding disabled veterans. "Now, in 2029, it will be Korea’s turn to lead that change," Na noted. "I hope the Invictus Games in Daejeon will showcase the strength, potential, and pride of our wounded service personnel and veterans—and become a turning point in transforming how our society sees them."
Despite facing legal setbacks and ongoing security controversies, the Duke was in high spirits during his recent UK visit, where he was seen engaging solo in various activities, including a laser run and wheelchair rugby. In his speech, Harry emphasized the significance of hosting the games in the U.K., highlighting the country's deep appreciation for military service and resilience. "There is nowhere you can feel more embraced and supported than with the Invictus family," he noted.
