1.
Q: What is the Soldier On program and the role in Team Canada for the Invictus Games?
A: Soldier On is a program of the Canadian Armed Forces which contributes to the recovery of ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans by providing opportunities and resources through sport, recreational, and creative activities.
Soldier On, on behalf of the Canadian Armed Forces, leads and manages Team Canada at the Invictus Games. In addition to selection, training, and delivering Team Canada to the games, Soldier On works in collaboration with the True Patriot Love Foundation and sponsors to ensure funding for the entire Team Canada inclusive to Friends and Families.
2.
Q: Why does Canada participate in the Invictus Games, and how have the Games impacted Canadian competitors and their families since Invictus was founded?
A: Canada participates in the Invictus Games because they reflect the powerful role that sport can play in recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration for ill and injured service members and veterans. The Games align closely with the Canadian Armed Forces and the Soldier On program’s commitment to supporting recovery through sport, recreation, and creative activities.
Since Invictus was founded, participation in the Games has had a profound and often life-changing impact on Canadian competitors and their families. For many, the Games represent a critical step in their recovery journey, helping to build confidence, strengthen mental health, and re-establish a sense of purpose. Competitors are frequently inspired to remain active, reconnect with their families and communities, and continue their involvement in sport long after the Games—often as mentors, coaches, or high-performance athletes—extending the positive impact well beyond the competition itself.
3.
Q: How many competitors will represent Canada at the Invictus Game Birmingham 2027?
A: Team Canada will be represented at the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 by 31 competitors, including both serving Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans who acquired a permanent illness or a physical or mental health injury while serving Canada.
4.
Q: What sports will Team Canada compete in?
A: Competitors will compete in the core Invictus Games sports of indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, archery, cycling, powerlifting, athletics, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball. The Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 will also have 3 exciting new additions: E-sports, Pickleball and Laser Run. All sports are adaptive to different needs and injuries. Please note that these sports are still subject to change.
5.
Q: How will the competitors be selected to represent Team Canada at the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027?
A: The selection of Team Canada members is a fair and transparent process, with input from a variety of key stakeholder groups. The following principes will guide the Team Canada selection board: Fairness and impartiality, focus on recovery, not performance, representative team composition, and opportunities for all members.
The spirit of the Invictus Games is not represented by medals, but rather the goal of the Invictus Games, and of Soldier On, is to harness the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who serve their country.
6.
Q: Will there be any returning members from past Invictus Games on Team Canada Invictus Games Birmingham 2027?
A: Currently, Soldier On has supported more than 16,000 members since its inception in 2007. As with all Soldier On events, it is important to provide High Profile Games opportunities to as many members as possible. All Soldier On members are welcome to apply to Invictus and Warrior Games. However, Soldier On does apply an equal opportunity criterion to selection. This criterion gives an advantage to a member who has never participated in an Invictus Games or a Warrior Games.
7.
Q: How many members typically apply for the Invictus Games?
A: Since 2017, Soldier On has typically received between 500 and 700 applications for each edition of the Invictus Games and Warrior Games. While interest is high, every eligible member is encouraged to apply, as each application is reviewed on its own merits.
8.
Q: How will the team be preparing for the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027?
A: Team Canada’s preparation for the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 will include participation in training camps and structured preparation opportunities leading up to the Games. These camps are designed to support competitor development, team cohesion, and readiness across sport, mental health, wellness, and recovery. Planning is ongoing, and details such as the number, timing, and locations of training camps along with all relevant information will be communicated directly to selected team members and stakeholders as it becomes available.
9.
Q: Do members need to have any experience in the high-profile Games sports to apply/be selected?
A: No, members do not need to have any experience in the high-profile Games sports to apply or be selected. Soldier On, alongside an amazing team of coaches and staff, will introduce and train selected Team Canada members in these sports leading up to the Games.
10.
Q. How do members know if they are ready to participate in the Invictus Games?
A. Recovery and rehabilitation are a continuum that look different and move at a different pace for everyone. When determining if you are ready for a Warrior Games or Invictus Games experience, we invite you to think about the environment you will be asked to participate in and if you are ready to face this challenge. For example, will being away from home for at least a week at a time work for you? Will you be able to share a room with another team member, who at first, may be a stranger to you? How will you fair with a heavy daily activity schedule? Will your family and friends be supportive of the requirements of this journey? What is your ability to cope with large crowds, military environments, military members in uniform, international travel, media, etc?
Will this environment hinder your recovery, or could it be an opportunity to strengthen your resilience and help your recovery while navigating those challenges?
Being ready and at the right place in your recovery journey is a critical factor that will have a huge impact on whether your high-profile Games experience will have a positive or negative impact on your recovery journey.
If you are unsure, we invite you to think about participating in other Soldier On activities and events as an introduction. Soldier On hosts over 130 events across the country every year that range from activities that last a few hours to multi-day camps that require domestic travel. It is a great way to build-up to a high-profile Games experience.
Soldier On activities and events can be found on our website here:
https://www.soldieron.ca/Get-Support/Activities-and-Events
11.
Q: How can I apply to be a member of Team Canada for the Warrior Games or Invictus Games?
A: Applications to be a member of Team Canada for Invictus Games 2027 open on 27 January 2026.
The first step to be able to apply for an Invictus Games or a Warrior Games is to be a registered Soldier On member. If you are not already a registered member of Soldier On, you can register here:
https://www.soldieron.ca/Get-Support/Register-Now
A Soldier On member is any serving member or retired member of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) who acquired a permanent physical or mental health illness or injury while enrolled as a member of the CAF; whether attributable or not to service.
Once you have confirmed your registration, you may submit an applications for consideration for Team Canada Invictus Games Birmingham 2027
here.
12.
Q: What is the Family and Friends Program?
A: The Friends and Family (F&F) Program is a unique program related to the Invictus Games, where the IGF and the organizing committee generously cover the cost of accommodations, meals, local transportation, and accreditation for two (2) family and friends per competitor. Soldier On, in partnership with TPL, cover the cost of travel to the Games for those 2 individuals. These two F&F individuals are referred to as “sponsored F&F”.
Typically, organizing committees also offer a “Buy-in” F&F Program that allows additional F&F to attend. The Invictus Games Organizing Committee sets the price for the Buy-in F&F program. The cost of the Buy-in F&F Program and travel to the Games are the responsibility of each additional Buy-in F&F. Additionally, the F&F Buy-in program is subject to a quota per nation set by the IGF and the organizing committee. This means that each year, a different number of F&F Buy-in will be able to attend. These confirmations are verified much later by the organizing committee than the sponsored F&F and are not guaranteed.
In recent years, Team Canada has been the recipient of a generous sponsorship from Canadian Tire to cover the cost of Buy-in F&F in part or in full. The amount covered depends on the cost of the buy-in packages and the number of Buy-in F&F registered. It is very important to note that this sponsorship is not guaranteed each year. Therefore, Buy-in F&F must always be ready to cover the full cost of attending the Games should they choose to attend.
13.
Q: How can I become a volunteer at the Games?
A: Volunteers always play a vital role in the success of the delivery of high-profile Games and the shared journey of recovery for competitors and their Family and Friends.
Please note that Soldier On does not oversee the volunteer programs for Invictus Games Foundation, the Invictus Games Organizing Committee, or the DoD Warrior Games.
To obtain more information and register your interest, please visit each upcoming Games websites/volunteer pages here:
14.
Q: Where can I find more information about the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027?
A: The Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 will be held from 10 to 17 July 2027 in Birmingham, UK. More information about the Games can be found on their website at:
https://www.invictusgames2027.org/
15.
Q: What is the difference between the Warrior Games and the Invictus Games?
A: The U.S. Department of Defense Warrior Games were established in 2010 and are held annually in the United States. The goal of the Warrior Games is to enhance the recovery of ill and injured armed service members and veterans through sport.
The Warrior Games inspired Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex to create the Invictus Games. The Invictus Games, which began in 2014, are held internationally. The goal of the Invictus Games is to improve the lives of as many ill and injured service members and veterans as possible.
Both competitions are focused on the important role that sports can play in improving the lives of ill and injured armed forces members, veterans, and their families.