The Invictus Foundation released their list of potential host cities for the 2029 Invictus Games this week. The next games are in 2027, and Birmingham, England is the host city. I’m still not happy about that, and I wish the Invictus executive team had understood that Birmingham would be such a difficult choice for their founder and patron. It also feels like the Windsors are going to organize a lot of despicable BS around the 2027 games. But hey, they’re a long way away, and we can look ahead to the 2029 games with more hope, I guess. The list of potential host cities: Aalborg, Denmark; Abuja, Nigeria; Daejeon, Republic of Korea, Kyiv, Ukraine; San Diego, CA; Veneto Region, Italy. Love it! Love the diversity – Nigeria seems extremely committed to building their veterans’ programs. I would also love to see Invictus hosted by Korea, it would be fantastic. But a lot of people are talking about Ukraine’s inclusion, given that there’s still a war IN Ukraine right now.
Ukraine has launched a “compelling” bid to host Prince Harry’s Invictus Games in four years. Kyiv, the capital, is among six cities vying to host the 2029 event, despite war-torn Ukraine’s “complex ongoing geopolitical challenges”. The announcement comes weeks after the Duke of Sussex made an unannounced visit to Ukraine, where he met wounded military personnel and civilians at a rehabilitation clinic in the western city of Lviv.
In February, Dominic Reid, the outgoing chief executive of the Invictus Games Foundation (IGF), expressed hopes of holding the event in Ukraine as soon as possible after the war ended. He said the country was now home to “100,000 amputees”.
The IGF said: “Notwithstanding the complex ongoing geopolitical challenges, Ukraine has submitted a compelling expression of interest for hosting a future Invictus Games. With a demonstrable pressing need and powerful rationale for an internationally collaborative approach, Kyiv emphasises its legacy of hosting major international events and its commitment to using the Games as a platform for innovative recovery and rehabilitation services for its veteran population.”
It said a multi-ministerial commission would oversee planning and delivery. Natalyia Kalmykova, Ukraine’s veterans affairs minister, who met Prince Harry during his trip, said: “Sport is a key function in veterans’ healthcare. It’s thanks to our relationship with Invictus that we established, and continue to develop, the role of sports in recovery in Ukraine, and why it’s included in the veteran policy strategy.”
The Ukrainian team has played a prominent role in the Games in recent years. In 2023, Harry and Meghan embraced Ukrainian silver medalist Yulia “Taira” Paievska during the presentation ceremony in Dusseldorf, Germany.
I’m not sure anyone actually believes that Invictus will choose Ukraine as the host country – the point of including Kyiv on the shortlist is that the inclusion alone highlights Ukrainian veterans and the work the Ukrainian government does for veterans. It’s an honor just to be nominated, etc. It’s also great because the Invictus community has done so much to support Ukrainians too, and it was HUGE that Prince Harry traveled to Ukraine and saw the work they’re doing with veterans.
The Invictus Games Foundation is delighted to reveal that we have received 6 Expressions of Interest to host the Invictus Games 2029.
Aalborg – Denmark
Abuja – Nigeria
Daejeon – Republic of Korea
Kyiv – Ukraine
San Diego – USA
Veneto Region – ItalyOne of these cities will… pic.twitter.com/oy3EryTVZk
— Invictus Games Foundation 💛🖤 (@WeAreInvictus) June 17, 2025
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images, Ukrainian social media.
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- Prinz Harry, Herzog von Sussex und seine Ehefrau Meghan, Herzogin von Sussex als Zuschauer auf der Tribuene, Sitting volleyball Mixed Team Prelim. Rnd – Pool A, Match 10, Ukraine UKR vs. Nigeria NGR 0:2, am 14.09.2023 Invictus Games Duesseldorf, vom 09.09. – 16.09.2023 in Duesseldorf/ Deutschland. Â *** Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex as spectators on the grandstand, Sitting volleyball Mixed Team Prelim Rnd Pool A, Match 10, Ukraine UKR vs Nigeria NGR 0 2, on 14 09 2023 Invictus Games Duesseldorf, from 09 09 16 09 2023 in Duesseldorf Germany Â,Image: 805501636, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO/Anke Waelischmiller/SVEN SIMON / Avalon
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- Invictus Games 2023 Rollstuhlbasketball 13.09.2023 Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex und Megan Markle, Duchess of Sussex waehrend der Siegerehrung Invictus Games 2023, Rollstuhlbasketball Finale USA – Frankreich, Duesseldorf, Merkur Spiel Arena am 13.09.2023 *** Invictus Games 2023 Wheelchair Basketball 13 09 2023 Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Megan Markle, Duchess of Sussex during the award ceremony Invictus Games 2023, Wheelchair Basketball Final USA France, Duesseldorf, Merkur Spiel Arena on 13 09 2023 Copyright:,Image: 805707474, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO/BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/Wunderl / Avalon
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- Prinz Harry, Herzog von Sussex bei seiner Rede, Closing Ceremony, am 16.09.2023 Invictus Games Duesseldorf, vom 09.09. – 16.09.2023 in Duesseldorf/ Deutschland. Â *** Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex during his speech, Closing Ceremony, on 16 09 2023 Invictus Games Duesseldorf, from 09 09 16 09 2023 in Duesseldorf Germany Â,Image: 805975484, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO/Anke Waelischmiller/SVEN SIMON / Avalon
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- Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex during day 4 of Invictus Games 2023 at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf. Featuring: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan Markle Where: Dusseldorf, Germany When: 13 Sep 2023 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
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- The Duke and Duchess of Sussex watch the sitting volleyball competition on field one at the Merkur Spiel-Arena during the Invictus Games Featuring: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex Where: Dusseldorf, Germany When: 14 Sep 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
Kyiv would be a decision made by the heart and it would be a tour de force and show of unity against Putin. The IG participants aren’t afraid in entering a war zone. It would also be a boost to morale. Good over evil.
That being said, I wouldn’t mind either Nigeria or South Korea. Both Nigeria and South Korea have a lot of societal bias against the disabled and injured soldiers and I suspect it will have the Düsseldorf effect if either country hosts. I can imagine the K-Pop stars at IG! 😂
Overall, I think having the Games in any of these three countries will make a difference to the participants from these countries. It’s more popular than the Olympics now in having more countries bidding to host the Games. Truth be told, any of these cities are qualified to host the IG. Denmark and Italy with NATO, San Diego with their military links…
Harry’s the global statesman. The Games is also a networking event for the allied forces.
I love your logic Blogger! I will root for the countries you suggest. However, being a bit on the petty side I’ll also root for Denmark. I’d love for King Frederik and Queen Mary to attend because the UK royals will snub Harry.
Since Denmark has only had soldiers in war zones since the 1990s, there has been a lack of focus on veterans issues. Veteran Day is only 16 years old. So Invictus in Denmark would put a much needed focus on an issue that isn’t really on the radar because as a country we does not have a long history of honouring our veterans (Denmark was neutral during WWI and under Nazi occupation during WWII).
While Fred was never deployed, he is trained as a Frogman, which is the Navy’s Special Forces. And he has always been very supportive of our troops abroad, He even got his mother to visit the troops in Afghanistan when she was the Monarch.
I feel same about Nigeria and Sth Korea for the same reasons. Disabilities are often shamed and hidden away. It would be fantastic to bring it into the light. I wonder if Nigeria could be ready in time? Korea would be my bet (though I too would like Denmark as a side bet).
I was impressed with all the different countries that are bidding, but selfishly I’m rooting for Italy 🇮🇹 where I have an apartment in the Veneto Region.
I would love the games to go to a new continent, so I was already rooting for Korea but Nigeria would be amazing too.
Though I remember from Heart of Invictus how disabilities in Korea arent really shown so an IG could really bring about change.
I hope after the war is over IG can come to Ukraine.
I’d love to see Nigeria just so Meghan can be there as a Princess in her own right. AND we know H&M would be accorded the proper security.
If we are still alive in 2027 or 2029 that is. I have no preference. For me, as long as the veterans are happy with it. That said, I am hoping by then the world will peaceful and it can be held in Ukraine , if peace is in the regionm🙏 maybe Russian veterans can join, controversial but that might help relations in the region and Europe. Then S. Korea or Nigeria are great candidates since Invictus has not been held on these continents.
Man, I root for Nigeria. They will show the athletes a good time.
Ugh, so many good choices. Selfishly, I’m intrigued by San Diego just bc it would be so close for the Sussexes. But I love Nigeria and S. Korea. And Ukraine if possible. And in many ways, I wish there wasn’t a need for the games. Wishing all veterans as much good health and safety as possible in these times.
Nigeria or Korea have my votes!
SAN DIEGO!!!!!! There is a huge military base in that county and…..its about a 3 hour drive from their (*coughs* my) home….lets go😜😜😜😜
I think it will be between San Diego and Daejon and Ukraine will get the first games after the war is over.
All of these options are amazing and I can see reasons for each of them. S. Korea has been wanting to host for a long time and I think them hosting will help to destigmatize how the wounded are seen there. Nigeria is always so energetic and welcoming to others and it would be a great way to showcase that and see the changes they’ve made for their wounded veterans since participating in IG. Their treatment and protection of Harry and Meghan, as well as others would be top priority. Ukraine deserves to know that the entire world loves and supports them. At a time that most would give up or lose the will to keep fighting, they continue to living their lives while under what are impossible and unnecessary conditions. They’ve given the whole world a view of what true grit and courage looks like even during the worst of times and that is in part what IG is all about, unity and perseverance. San Diego would be amazing because of the huge population of service personnel and how they have formed relationships with Harry and others in IG with Wounded Warriors. It’s also here in the U.S. and the amount of coverage and people who could go would make it have an even larger reach. Italy would just be beautiful and like with every IG we learn more about the people and country and Italy would great to also witness. With all of these countries it would be a great way to honor those who serve and protect their countries while changing how they are seen and treated once they return wounded or different from when they left for service. All of these are great options and I can’t imagine how hard of a choice it will be. I wonder if there’s the possibility of some being hosts for Winter IG and ensuring that more countries are able to benefit from what IG brings to the servicemen and women? I could possibly see Denmark or S. Korea hosting winter games. I’m extremely proud of what Harry has created with IG and I hope that it continues to help to the point that it’s no longer needed.
Denmark is not really the place for winter games. There are no mountains here and because of global warming it hardly snows anymore. I miss the cold winters quite a bit. Now winter just feels like extended autumn.
Impressive and exciting list! The last four games have been held in Europe and North America. I think the 2029 games might be the first to be held on another continent? It would be horrifically expensive for most of the Invictus countries, but Invictus has become so global. A great time would be had by all in Nigeria, but perhaps they’re not ready. Korea is an experienced host of international sporting events.
I’m rooting for Nigeria or South Korea. Although, if it’s in San Diego we might get attendance by Archie and Lilli.
OMG Italy!!
Sadly I don’t think they could organize it in Ukraine at the moment, they are not even hosting football games and Eurovision was relocated to the UK a few years back. But 2029 is a long time away so who knows, it’s great that they decided to include Ukraine in the list though.
I vote no us or UK for invictus again. Us is run by a fascist who publicly attacks Meghan from his bully pulpit, and we’ve seen how the uk mistreats them.
I think Chuck needs to be more concerned for his safety than Harry given they offed the queen just after the one year to go ceremony for the Dusseldorf games.