Birmingham to host 2027 Invictus Games

Birmingham has won nan bid to big nan 2027 Invictus Games, beating disconnected title from Washington DC.

The event, staged each 2 years, sees injured subject unit and veterans from astir nan world compete successful a scope of sports.

Staged astatine nan National Exhibition Centre (NEC), nan Birmingham games will beryllium nan first clip nan arena has travel to nan UK since nan Duke of Sussex staged nan inaugural tourney successful London successful 2014.

"Your city's beardown ties to nan equipped forces organization made it a formidable contender from nan very start," Prince Harry said.

"We person nary uncertainty nan group of Birmingham will subordinate successful celebrating nan unwavering respect and admiration we person for our seasoned and work community, showing nan world really their courageousness ignites dream and unites america each - thing your metropolis knows well."

A flag-raising ceremonial pinch veterans curate Al Carns will beryllium staged astatine nan NEC connected Tuesday greeting to people nan announcement.

The £26m government-backed bid drew connected nan equipped forces' connections pinch Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

During nan Afghanistan conflict, severely injured subject casualties evacuated from Helmand state were treated astatine nan QE Hospital successful Selly Oak.

The infirmary is besides location to nan Royal College of Defence Medicine, while nan Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre is besides based successful nan Midlands, adjacent Loughborough.

Stephen "Hoops" Hooper, Team UK skipper for nan 2025 games said nan announcement would "mean nan world to Team UK".

"Birmingham is simply a typical spot for wounded, injured and sick work unit and veterans, arsenic they each travel done present astatine immoderate point.

"With support from nan Royal British Legion for Team UK, Invictus has helped maine clasp life again. As we hole for Canada adjacent year, it's awesome to cognize nan games are coming location successful 2027."

Prince Harry, who served successful Afghanistan, said each metropolis had brought "a unsocial tone and imagination to life for competitors, their families and spectators".

Financially struggling Birmingham City Council said a "new transportation model", developed pinch partners, required "no financial input" connected its part.

The Invictus Games person been held crossed nan globe successful nan decade since its inception, including successful Toronto, Orlando and Sydney.

The 2025 arena successful Vancouver and Whistler, is expected to pull 550 competitors from up to 25 nations.

Three caller sports, pickleball, laser run, and esports, are expected to characteristic successful 2027.

Helen Helliwell, main executive of Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, said nan arena would beryllium "the astir cohesive, sustainable arena successful Invictus Games history" pinch bequest programmes benefiting communities nationwide.