Invictus Australia announces intention to submit a bid to bring the Invictus Games back to Australia

Invictus Australia has announced its intention to submit a formal bid to host the Invictus Games in Australia in 2031, marking the beginning of a coordinated effort to bring the Games back down under.

The Invictus Games Sydney 2018 saw the nation come together in support of wounded, injured and ill serving Australian Defence Force members, veterans and their families – this announcement reflects both the legacy of those Games and the relevance of their return. At a critical time for Australia’s veteran community, it is both fitting and necessary that the Invictus Games return to Australian soil.

The findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide reinforced the importance of early intervention, connection, purpose and holistic wellbeing. Sport has the capacity to contribute meaningfully across at least 34 of the Royal Commission’s 122 recommendations. This demonstrates the profound role a home Invictus Games could play in supporting these findings, to change and save lives.

Over the coming 12 months, Invictus Australia intends to prepare a comprehensive bid, one that requires support from all levels of government, corporate Australia, community organisations and the broader Australian public.

Invictus Australia anticipates the official bid process will be opened by the Invictus Games Foundation in approximately 12 months, allowing them to engage meaningfully with stakeholders, interested parties and the Australian public, and to build a strong, inclusive and nationally supported bid.

Invictus Australia is pleased to be working with Deloitte to support the development of the bid, continuing an alliance that played a critical role in the successful delivery of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018.

General The Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK CVO MC (Retd), Patron, Invictus Australia said:

“Sport runs deep in Australia’s identity. It’s more than competition – it’s a shared language that brings people together, whether they’re cheering from the sidelines, volunteering at the local club, or taking part themselves. It strengthens communities and gives us a sense of belonging.

“That same spirit of connection and purpose is at the heart of service in the Australian Defence Force. The camaraderie, the commitment to something bigger than oneself, and the resilience forged through shared experience mirror what we see in sporting communities across the country.

“Invictus Australia stands at this intersection of sport and service. Its work has opened doors for thousands of veterans and their families, helping them rediscover community through sport and reminding Australians everywhere of the extraordinary determination embodied by our Invictus competitors.

“When the Invictus Games came to Sydney in 2018, I spoke about the importance of keeping the momentum alive – not letting the flame dim after witnessing the profound impact of those Games. Thanks to Invictus Australia’s ongoing efforts, and now this bold bid to bring the Invictus Games back to Australia, that light shines brighter than ever.

It’s for these reasons that I am honoured to serve as Patron of Invictus Australia.”

Michael Hartung, OAM, CEO, Invictus Australia, said:

“Our intention to prepare a bid for the Invictus Games 2031 is about more than hosting an international event. These Games are a catalyst for strengthening recovery pathways, connecting a community of support and delivering meaningful outcomes for those who have served our nation. We have witnessed firsthand how this transforms the lives of competitors and their families while strengthening understanding and support within the broader community.

“Australia previously hosted the 4th iteration of the Invictus Games, in Sydney during 2018. This moment showed what is possible when Australians come together behind our veteran community. This intention to bid is a call to action, and we are seeking the support of government, industry, community organisations and the Australian public to help make it a reality.

“We are grateful to Deloitte for their continued alliance with Invictus Australia and for the role they are playing in helping us develop a strong, credible and nationally supported bid.”

Rob Owen OBE, CEO, Invictus Games Foundation, said:

“We are proud of the role that the Invictus Games plays in changing lives and saving lives of international wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans. The Foundation received a record level of interest in the bidding process for the Invictus Games 2029, with the successful host city to be unveiled later this year, demonstrating the continued appetite for sports recovery events.

“As custodians of the Invictus Movement down under, we are delighted to see Invictus Australia’s interest in bidding to host another Invictus Games. Ahead of the formal process opening next year, the competition to host the Invictus Games 2031 is already hotting up.”

More information about Invictus Australia’s intention to bid can be found here.

Invictus Australia is the custodian of the Invictus movement in Australia, under license from the Invictus Games Foundation. Since inception, as a legacy from Sydney hosting the Invictus Games in 2018, Invictus Australia has become the leading nonprofit organisation connecting the defence community with sport, having enabled nearly 30,000 veterans and family members to engage in community and international activities. We promote the benefits of sport for proactively managing physical, social and emotional health, and supporting recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration following transition from service, and welcome all 581,000 veterans plus their families that live throughout Australia.

The Invictus Games Foundation (IGF) is the governing body for the Invictus Games. Founded by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex following the inaugural Invictus Games London 2014, the Invictus Games Foundation is a force for good: inspiring positive change, improving lives, and driving progress towards a better, more inclusive future for those who have served. Through sport, the Foundation enables wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans to reclaim their purpose, rebuild their identity, and shape a positive future beyond injury. With its biennial Invictus Games and year-round sports recovery and rehabilitation programmes, the Foundation has built a thriving global community spanning 25 nations and reaching every continent. With a strong emphasis on global cooperation, inclusion and public awareness of the ongoing challenges faced by Defence personnel and veterans, the Invictus Games has a significant reach and diplomatic profile attracting worldwide media coverage and high-level engagement.

The next Invictus Games are taking place in Birmingham UK, in July 2027; three cities have been shortlisted for the Invictus games 2029, Alborg, Denmark; Daejeon, Republic of Korea; and San Diego, USA.

The decision will be announced by the IGF in July 2026. Formal expressions of interest for the Invictus Games 2031 will open in 2027.