Today is the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games in Vancouver! If you’re not familiar with what the Games are, the Invictus Games are a Paralympic competition for wounded service personnel and this year they are being held in between Vancouver and Whistler.
The Games are starting off with a punch today with the opening ceremony looking like it’s going to be a blast. There are so many artists in town to kick things off including Katy Perry, Noah Kahan, Chris Martin, and Nelly Furtado!
The Games were founded by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, in 2014 as a way to use the power of sports to help with recovery, rehabilitation, and community-building among military personnel who have faced life-changing injuries or illnesses (so if your in Vancouver or Whistler keep your eye out for Prince Harry as well).
You can expect to see a variety of exciting sports like wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, archery, swimming, and indoor rowing. The first Invictus Games were held in London in 2014, and since then, they have taken place in various cities, including Orlando, Toronto, Sydney, and The Hague. These 2025 Winter Games will take a close look at winter adaptive sports like skiing and skating sports. It is the first winter adaptive Invictus Games being held in BC!
The Games will be running from the 8th to the 16th and you can expect the city and Whistler to carry high energy and a lot of excitement as well. The closing ceremony is also shaping up to be a blast with artists like Jelly Roll, Barenaked Ladies, and The War and Treaty looking to close things off. Tickets are available online https://www.invictusgamesfoundation.org/invictus-games/vancouver-whistler-2025
The Invictus Games go far beyond sports, the event fosters camaraderie among veterans and active-duty personnel while inspiring audiences worldwide. The Games also advocate for the long-term support of veterans, encouraging governments and societies to provide continued rehabilitation and career opportunities for injured service members. If you have the chance to check things out, I highly recommend you go, it’s a great opportunity to get out there and cheer on veterans from all over the world.