Team UK has departed for the 2025 Invictus Games in Canada, marking an emotional milestone for the 62 competitors—veterans and serving personnel who have triumphed over significant challenges in their recovery journeys. The athletes boarded their flights from Birmingham Airport on February 6, ahead of the Games’ opening ceremony on February 8, ready to compete in the first-ever winter sports edition of the Invictus Games.
The team, supported by the Royal British Legion (RBL) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD), has spent months preparing for the event at the Battle Back Centre, a dedicated recovery and rehabilitation centre run by the RBL. Team UK will be competing in various adaptive sports, including skiing, snowboarding, wheelchair rugby and basketball, and sitting volleyball.
As they left for Canada, the team received messages of support from high-profile figures from the world of sport and entertainment. Match of the Day presenters Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman, actors Ross Kemp and Stephen Fry, This Morning’s Ben Shephard, and Olympic champions Ellie Simmonds, Katherine Grainger, and Mark Foster, among others, sent their best wishes to the athletes.
The Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey MP, also offered his encouragement, saying, “The Invictus Games powerfully show us the bravery of our forces and the role sport plays in supporting the recovery of injured military personnel. We’re incredibly proud of Team UK, and the whole Armed Forces community will be cheering them on.”
The Invictus Games offer a unique platform for military personnel and veterans who have suffered injuries or illness in service to showcase their resilience. Among the competitors are individuals who have faced mental health challenges, including PTSD, as well as physical injuries like amputation and visual impairment. For many, being part of Team UK is not just about competing—it’s about reclaiming a sense of purpose.
Team UK Captain, RAF veteran Steve ‘Hoops’ Hooper, who was medically discharged in 2021 due to PTSD from his service in Iraq, expressed the profound impact the Games have had on the team. “Representing Team UK is a huge source of pride. It’s given us a sense of belonging and confidence again,” he said. “The Invictus Games are about much more than medals; they provide a life-changing opportunity for recovery and growth.”
Louise Assioun, Team UK Manager at the Royal British Legion, also shared her pride in the team’s progress. “These athletes have overcome significant challenges in their personal recovery journeys. Seeing them heading off to the Invictus Games is a truly proud moment for all of us,” she said. “We’re honoured to have supported them every step of the way.”
This year’s Invictus Games will be held in Vancouver Whistler, Canada, where Team UK will join competitors from 23 nations, all of whom have been wounded, injured, or become sick during their military service. The Games will be broadcast across ITV platforms, with nine daily highlight shows, starting with the opening ceremony on February 8.
In a future highlight for the UK, the Invictus Games will return to British soil in 2027 when Birmingham will play host to the global event. Nick Barton, CEO of Birmingham Airport, expressed his excitement about being the departure airport for Team UK, saying, “We’re proud to send Team UK off to Canada and look forward to welcoming them back in 2027 when Birmingham hosts the Games.”
