2025 Invictus Games Ceremonies Take Place In Downtown Vancouver
Photo Credit: Sara Maya Budhiraja
The 2025 Invictus Games kicked off on Feb. 8 in Vancouver, with a spectacular opening ceremony at BC Place Stadium, featuring performances by artists Katy Perry, Roxane Bruneau, Noah Kahan, Nelly Furtado, and Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
The event was attended by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games for wounded, injured, or sick service personnel and veterans in 2014 after a visit to the US-based Warrior Games. This year marks the seventh Invictus Games and the second time they have been held in Canada. Toronto previously hosted the event in 2017.
Prince Harry emphasized that the focus of the Games is on the athletes — wounded military veterans — who embody courage, resilience, and leadership.
“Your leadership did not end when you stepped off the battlefield or took off the uniform,” he said in a speech at the opening ceremony.
The ceremony featured a welcome from the Lil̓wat, Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Athletes from the 23 participating nations marched into the stadium during the Parade of Nations, with performers waving blue fabric symbolizing the ocean, and dolphin and whale-shaped balloons soaring above the audience.
“These games are a testament to the courage and fighting spirit of personnel in uniform. Those who serve their country have faced battles that many of us cannot even begin to imagine,” Governer General Mary Simon said in her opening remarks.
“You show us that human beings can be strong enough to overcome adversity, even trauma. Each of you competing in these games exemplifies the strength and resilience found in the journey of recovery.”
The closing ceremony of the 2025 Invictus Games took place on Feb. 16 at Rogers Arena, bringing an end to the nine-day event. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Prince Harry, Governor General Mary Simon, and Premier David Eby.
In his speech, Trudeau spoke to athletes from Ukraine, Afghanistan, and the United States. He assured the Ukrainian competitors that Canada would stand with them "every step of the way until victory." To the Afghan soldiers, Trudeau said their sacrifices would never be forgotten. To Team Canada, he expressed gratitude on behalf of Canadians, staying, "You are all an inspiration to all Canadians, from coast to coast to coast." He also highlighted the strong relationship between Canada and the United States, saying, “Canada will never stop fighting for the friendship that unites our two countries.”
Prince Harry remarked that the athletes, “in the pursuit of saving yourselves,” have also “saved all of us,” noting how many spectators had been moved by the Games.
“I’ve spent the last 11 days meeting children and grandparents from all over the world, from different beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities. I’ve seen how you’ve changed them,” he said.
Invictus Games 2025 CEO Scott Moore announced that the event had made a profit of over $5 million, which will go toward supporting various veterans' programs across Canada.
The closing ceremony included musical performances by the Canadian band Barenaked Ladies, Montreal singer Marie-Mai, and American artists Jelly Roll and The War and Treaty.
The event concluded with a handoff ceremony for the Games, as Vancouver handed the Invictus flag to representatives from the United Kingdom, which will host the next Games in Birmingham in 2027.