Prince Harry 'delighted at defining moment' for organisation close to his heart

Prince Harry has said he is "delighted" over a "defining moment" for his Invictus Games movement, after revealing that Daejeon, South Korea, will stage the 2029 edition of the competition.

The announcement means the event will be brought to Asia for the very first time.

The Duke of Sussex, 41, declared the decision on Monday in his capacity as founding patron of the Invictus Games Foundation.

"Today's announcement is a defining moment for the Invictus Movement," Harry said.

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"We are delighted to announce Daejeon, South Korea as the host of the 2029 Invictus Games and, on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation, we are so excited to work together."

He described the selection of South Korea as "an exciting new chapter" in the organisation's mission to harness sport for the benefit of wounded, injured and sick veterans and service personnel.

Harry emphasised the significance of the Republic of Korea becoming the first Asian nation chosen to host the Games, stating it would help "ensure that more wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans can benefit from the power of sport and the strength of the Invictus community."

The Games are set to run between October 6 and 15 2029, featuring 12 sporting disciplines.

Approximately 550 competitors representing 26 nations will take part, accompanied by some 1,100 family members and friends.

Daejeon earned hosting rights through a competitive international bidding process. South Korea's fifth-largest city boasts a population of 1.5 million.

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The competition, which champions adaptive sport and challenges perceptions of disability, was established by the duke in London in 2014.

The next edition of the Invictus Games is due to take place in Birmingham in 2027.

Earlier this month, the Duke travelled to Britain to attend the One Year To Go ceremony, where he competed in a variety of sports alongside former Labour minister Al Carns and enigmatic TV personality Alison Hammond.

Harry was also reunited with friend and former Invictus Games competitor Dave Henson for a game of pickleball, which is one of three new events introduced to the 2027 Games programme.

The duke also took part in wheelchair rugby - leaving TV presenter Ade Adepitan, who won a bronze with the GB basketball team at the 2004 Paralympics, impressed - and a laser run.

Following the event, Harry vowed that it was "just the beginning," adding: "Britain has always understood the importance of service, resilience, and standing together when it matters most."

"Sport has an incredible way of bringing people together," he said.

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