Prince Harry has announced the launch of a new awards initiative under the Invictus Games banner, marking a notable expansion of the international movement he founded in 2014. The new event, titled the Invictus Spirit Gala Dinner and Awards, is scheduled to take place in London in September 2026, according to the Invictus Games Foundation.
The awards are designed to recognise individuals and organisations that exemplify the values at the core of Invictus, including resilience, perseverance, community support, and recovery through sport and physical activity. The initiative reflects the Foundation’s broader mission to support the rehabilitation and wellbeing of wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans.
Purpose and Scope of the Invictus Spirit Awards
According to information released by the Invictus Games Foundation, the Invictus Spirit Awards will honour not only current and former members of the armed forces, but also civilians and organisations who have made meaningful contributions to the Invictus community.
The Foundation stated that the awards aim to highlight the collective effort required to support recovery and long-term wellbeing, particularly through adaptive sport, teamwork, and inclusive community-building. By extending eligibility beyond competitors, the awards acknowledge the role of families, coaches, volunteers, donors, and partners in sustaining the Invictus movement.
Nominations are open to individuals and groups whose work has strengthened the Invictus network or supported participants in their rehabilitation journeys.
Nomination Process and Judging Panel
The Invictus Games Foundation confirmed that nominations for the inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards opened on January 23, 2026, and will close on March 8, 2026. The nomination process is open to the public, allowing members of the Invictus community and supporters worldwide to put forward candidates.
The judging panel will include representatives from the Invictus Games Foundation, presenting partner ATCO, and Prince Harry in his role as Founder of the Invictus Games. Final decisions will be announced during the gala event in London later in the year.
The Foundation has emphasised that nominees will be assessed based on impact, commitment, and alignment with Invictus values, rather than public profile or prominence.
Categories of the Invictus Spirit Awards
Five awards will be presented during the inaugural ceremony, each reflecting a different aspect of the Invictus mission.
The Invictus Resilience Award will recognise individuals or organisations that have demonstrated exceptional perseverance and strength when facing significant challenges.
The Invictus Community Award will honour long-term dedication to building, supporting, and sustaining the Invictus community, with a focus on collaboration and shared purpose.
The Invictus Community of Nations Award will acknowledge efforts that promote inclusion, recovery, and international cooperation through sport across national boundaries.
The Invictus Champion Award will recognise outstanding practical or financial support that has enabled the Invictus movement to grow and reach more participants.
From the shortlisted winners, one recipient will be selected for the Overall Invictus Spirit Award, which represents the highest honour of the evening and recognises a person or organisation that best embodies the values and mission of the Invictus Games.
Significance Within the Invictus Games Movement
The launch of the Invictus Spirit Awards comes more than a decade after the inaugural Invictus Games were held in London in 2014. Since then, the Games have grown into an international event involving dozens of nations and hundreds of competitors.
The Invictus Games Foundation has stated that the new awards initiative is intended to complement the sporting events by offering year-round recognition of the wider community that supports recovery and rehabilitation through adaptive sport.
Prince Harry has consistently described the Invictus Games as his most enduring charitable project, and the Foundation has highlighted the awards as a natural evolution of the movement’s long-term goals.
Looking Ahead to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham
The announcement of the Invictus Spirit Awards also comes as preparations continue for the 2027 Invictus Games, which are scheduled to take place in Birmingham, England, from July 10 to July 17, 2027.
According to official organisers, the 2027 Games will welcome approximately 550 competitors from 25 nations. Events will be hosted across major venues including the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and the Sandwell Aquatics Centre.
The Birmingham Games will mark the first time the Invictus Games return to the United Kingdom since the inaugural event in 2014, reflecting the movement’s ongoing connection to its origins.
Focus on Sport, Recovery, and Community Impact
The Invictus Games Foundation has emphasised that both the new awards and the upcoming Games remain focused on the same core objectives: supporting recovery, promoting physical and mental wellbeing, and fostering a sense of belonging among participants.
Organisers have stated that adaptive sport continues to play a central role in helping competitors regain confidence, build social connections, and develop new goals following injury or illness.
By highlighting individual and collective contributions through the Invictus Spirit Awards, the Foundation aims to reinforce the importance of community support in achieving these outcomes.
Public Engagement and Future Development
The Foundation has encouraged members of the public, veterans’ organisations, and partner groups to participate in the nomination process and to engage with the awards initiative as it develops.
Officials have indicated that the Invictus Spirit Awards may become a recurring event, subject to review and evaluation following the inaugural ceremony. Further details about the London gala, including venue and programme information, are expected to be released closer to the event date through official Invictus channels.
Conclusion
The introduction of the Invictus Spirit Gala Dinner and Awards represents a significant step in the continued evolution of the Invictus Games movement. By formally recognising a broader range of contributors, the initiative underscores the collective effort behind recovery through sport and community support.
As preparations continue for both the 2026 awards ceremony and the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, the Invictus Games Foundation has reiterated its commitment to transparency, inclusion, and the long-term wellbeing of those it serves.