FAQ

The Invictus Games is an international multi-sport event that harnesses the power of sport to inspire recovery and support rehabilitation for wounded, injured or sick servicemen and women.  

While both events celebrate the achievements of athletes with injuries or disabilities, the Paralympics and Invictus Games differ.   

The Invictus Games are specifically for injured, wounded and sick service personnel and veterans and focus on using adaptive sport as a method of rehabilitation and recovery. There are also open categories for competitors without physical injuries to participate.   

The Paralympics are open to athletes with a wide range of physical or visual impairments from all backgrounds and is primarily a high-performance sporting competition.  

At the Invictus Games, the emphasis is on camaraderie, peer support, and celebrating the journey of recovery, rather than on winning medals.  

Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 take place during 10 – 17 July, 2027. Full Games schedule to be announced. 

The Games will take place at two venues - The National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham, B40 1NT and Sandwell Aquatics Centre, Londonderry Lane, Smethwick, B67 7EW.

With its diverse population, strong Armed Forces network, and its long-standing role in supporting the rehabilitation of the Armed Forces community - including through the urgent, life-saving care at the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre within Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and family support at Fisher House - Birmingham is the natural host city for Invictus Games Birmingham 2027.   

The wider Midlands region is a recognised hub for military care and rehabilitation through institutions such as the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine and the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Stanford Hall – providing world-class support for recovery and rehabilitation.  

Birmingham is also home to world-class venues like the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and Sandwell Aquatics Centre and has a history of hosting global events at scale.  

Birmingham has a long and proud history of welcoming major international events that bring people together, and the Games will proudly continue that tradition.  

Birmingham 2027 will include 12 adaptive sports: Archery, Athletics, Cycling, Indoor Rowing, Powerlifting, Sitting Volleyball, Swimming, Wheelchair Basketball, and Wheelchair Rugby, with our three new sports, Esports, Laser Run, and Pickleball and making their Invictus Games debut.

Team UK applications are managed by the Royal British Legion.

Visit the Royal British Legion’s website for more information.

The Invictus Games operates with clear governance and transparency. The UK Government, through the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, has provided a £26 million underwriting to support the delivery of the 2027 Games in Birmingham, ensuring the event can be delivered with confidence. Alongside this, the Games are supported by commercial partners and charitable contributions. Each edition is delivered in partnership with the host city and national organisations to ensure it is sustainable and focused on supporting the recovery and rehabilitation of the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans the Games were created to serve.

There will be an exciting array of volunteer opportunities available at Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 for our Invictus Community and residents from Birmingham and the West Midlands. Visit here to register your details. We’ll be announcing details of the programme and how you can apply in the coming weeks so keep an eye on our social channels to find out more.

Register here for latest updates on tickets.