Invictus Games coming to Birmingham launch event with Royal visit
Prince Harry even took part in the newest sport added to the list for 2027, pickleball
Last updated 10th Jul 2026
It's a year today until the Invictus Games take over Birmingham.
It's an event that has over 500 injured or sick military personnel and veterans compete in things like archery, athletics, and new for 2027, pickleball.
The Duke of Sussex also made an appearance at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham for the one-year-to-go event, where he tried his hand at the popular sport.
Take a look at how he done:
The duke joined a partner on court to compete against another pair in pickleball, an alternative to tennis. It is one of three new sports that'll feature at the competition next year.
Harry was joined by TV host Alison Hammond, who is from Birmingham, and TV presenter Ade Adepitan, who won a bronze with the GB basketball team at the 2004 Paralympics.
We caught up with Ade at the event where he said:
"For these Invictus athletes who have come out of military service, been injured, felt like they were broken. This is an opportunity for them to rebuild themselves. It is that healer."
The international multi-sport event was created for wounded, injured, and sick military service personnel and veterans. It was founded by Prince Harry, in 2014 where it was hosted in London. It has since toured to places including Sydney, Vancouver and Dusseldorf.
The games use the power of adaptive sports to aid in the physical, mental, and social rehabilitation of veterans.
Missing from the event today was the Duchess of Sussex, who was due to attend the event but did not fly to the UK with Harry earlier this week because of security concerns.
However, Meghan is widely expected to travel with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, in the coming days, prompting rumours there could be a meeting between the King and his US-based grandchildren.
Helen Helliwell, chief executive officer of Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, opened the event with the words: “Invictus has always been more than a week of games.”
She added: “It transforms lives not only for competitors but for their families.”
Vicky Gosling is the Board Chair, she's been at every games since they began and said to our reporter:
"Having it coming home is incredible. You know it's back here, in Birmingham. I've seen it grow from nine sports in 13 nations in London to 26 nations, 550 competitors and we've got 12 sports.
"It's hugely exciting, we're bringing the Birmingham community with us and we can't wait to actually be able to showcase our incredible Games in this incredible city."