Printer-friendly version
East County News ServiceJuly 15, 2025 (San Diego County) -- San Diego has been named one of six global finalists for host city of the Invictus Games 2029.
San Diego is only the second American city ever to host the international adaptive sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.
The official announcement by The Invictus Games Foundation marks a major milestone for the region’s efforts to bring the Games back to the United States for only the second time since its inception in 2014.
San Diego’s bid was championed by the City of San Diego and the British American Business Council San Diego. It aims to showcase the city as a global leader in veteran wellness, recovery and mental fitness.
If selected, San Diego would join past host cities such as Sydney, Australia; Toronto, Canada; The Hague, Netherlands; and Düsseldorf, Germany in celebrating the strength and resilience of veterans from across the globe.
The event takes place in a new host city every two years and features around 550 participants competing in nine core sports: archery, cycling, indoor rowing, powerlifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.
New adaptive sports being considered for a possible Invictus Games in San Diego include adaptive surfing and a triathlon.
The 2029 bid places San Diego alongside five other international contenders: Aalborg, Denmark; Abuja, Nigeria; Daejeon, South Korea; Kyiv, Ukraine; and the Veneto region, Italy.
The final host city will be announced in summer 2026.
Francine Fyne Basson, president of the British American Business Council San Diego said that The Invictus Games represent more than elite competition.
“The Games are a global catalyst for recovery, recognition and resilience,” she said. “San Diego’s Invictus Games would be a rallying point for a new chapter of innovation in veteran recovery. We are actively seeking partners now who want to help us bring this possibility to reality.”
The Invictus Games were founded as an international adaptive sports event that supports the rehabilitation and recovery of international wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, a British Army veteran who served in Afghanistan.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria issued an open letter and video underscoring the city’s deep-rooted military heritage and readiness to host.
“San Diego is home to the largest concentration of military assets in the world,” Gloria said. “We are uniquely positioned to provide an exceptional stage for these prestigious games — celebrating the resilience, strength and perseverance of wounded warriors from across the globe. I look forward to the possibility of welcoming the Invictus Games community to America’s Finest City in 2029.”
Proposed venues include the San Diego Convention Center, Petco Park and other iconic locations throughout the region, which would show off San Diego’s world-class infrastructure, unbeatable weather and passionate military community.
Those interested in supporting the City’s bid can visit invictusgamessandiego2029.com to learn how they can get involved, volunteer, sponsor or donate.
To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/IGEOI2029
Recent comments