Vancouver and Whistler were recently named as host cities for the first-ever winter hybrid Invictus Games, but while the event won’t take until February, 2025, the lead-up and staging of the Games is being anticipated by the government and travel industry to be a significant boost for BC tourism.

“While Vancouver and Whistler are known globally, the tourism industry is now more competitive than ever, with hundreds of destinations worldwide competing for the same visitors,” said Richard Porges, President and CEO, Destination BC. “The additional exposure that Vancouver, Whistler, and all of British Columbia will receive as a host destination of the 2025 Invictus Games, has the potential to be leveraged for a significant competitive advantage, leading to stronger growth in visitation, a healthier tourism industry, and economic benefits around the province leading up to and following the Games.”

The Games will be Canada’s second, following Toronto in 2017, which featured eight days of competition and a closing night gala hosted by Prince Harry and performances by Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams, and Bachman Turner Overdrive

The governments of Canada and British Columbia have committed $15 million each to Invictus Games Vancouver-Whistler 2025, which will take place Feb. 16 and 17. An additional $1 million for in support will be provided to the Soldier On program to support Canadian veteran participation in the Games from the Government of Canada.

Thanks to the successful bid from True Patriot Love Foundation, Canada will welcome more than 500 competitors from 20 countries to participate in what is being described most the innovative and accessible Games to date and which will include adaptive winter sports like alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, skeleton, and wheelchair curling, in addition to the core Invictus Games sports of indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball.

First held in 2014, the Games are meant to be “a powerful reminder of the extraordinary courage and perseverance of all those who have been injured or become ill through their time in the military.”

Further, organizers say, the Games will be in held in co-operation with local indigenous communities “in the spirit of truth and reconciliation.”