Invictus Germany Sports Festival Düsseldorf

Legacy of the Invictus Games 2023

The Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 were a milestone: for the first time since the games were founded by Prince Harry in 2014, they took place in Germany. Over 500 wounded and injured veterans from 21 nations competed for medals for a week in the Düsseldorfer Merkur Spiel-Arena — and the audience celebrated them as heroes. What began as a one-off event in 2023 continues since 2024 with the Invictus Germany Sports Festival: a German format that preserves the legacy of the games and strengthens the inclusion movement for military veterans locally.

2nd Edition at CASTELLO Düsseldorf

Following the successful premiere in 2024, the festival will again take place from June 12th to 14th, 2026, at the CASTELLO Düsseldorf — a flexible event location in close proximity to the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA, ideally equipped for sports events. Around 150 female and male veterans from 8 to 10 nations are expected, along with their families and friends, German and international guests, active members of the emergency services community (police, fire brigade, rescue services), and representatives of the Bundeswehr and allied armed forces.

Indoor Rowing, Sitting Volleyball, Spinning, Table Tennis

The sports program focuses on four inclusive disciplines:

• Indoor Rowing — on rowing ergometers, with classifications for different degrees of disability
• Sitting Volleyball — a Paralympic discipline, played seated on a smaller court
• Spinning — group cycling on stationary bikes with music and program guidance
• Table Tennis — singles and doubles with classification

The competitions are not only sporting but also symbolic: sport as therapy, as a means of physical and mental rehabilitation, and as a bridge between veterans, families, and civil society.

More than Sport: Awareness, Inclusion, Family

The festival explicitly sees itself as a movement, not just a sporting event. Accompanying this are awareness programs on inclusion, mental health (PTSD), physical rehabilitation, and reintegration into civilian life. Families play a central role — they are not just spectators but actively involved in workshops, discussion rounds, and family sports programs. The message: “I am Invictus” — I am undefeated, despite injury.

Open to the Public

Unlike closed military sporting events, the Invictus Germany Sports Festival is open to the public. You can follow the competitions as a spectator, attend award ceremonies, talk to veterans, and visit the program. Free admission, registration recommended.