Birmingham shortlisted as 2027 Invictus Games host

The Duke of Sussex launched the Invictus Games in 2014

Birmingham has been officially shortlisted as one of two cities to host the 2027 Invictus Games, organisers say.

The government launched a £26m bid through the Office for Veterans' Affairs at a pitch held at the NEC, in March.

The Duke of Sussex launched the Invictus Games, a sport event for military personnel wounded in action, in 2014.

Birmingham has been selected alongside Washington DC, the Invictus Games Foundation said.

Financially-struggling Birmingham City Council said a "new delivery model", developed with partners, required "no financial input", but maximised local opportunities.

Prince Harry is returning to the UK next week for a ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral, London, to mark the 10th anniversary of the games.

The ceremony will mark "a decade of changing lives and saving lives through sport," a spokesperson for the games said.

The prince will return to the UK next week, for a ceremony in London marking the 10th anniversary of the games

Announcing Birmingham's intention to be a host last month, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer, said: "The Office for Veterans’ Affairs is proudly backing a bid to bring the Invictus Games to Britain in 2027."

He said it put the UK "another step closer to being the global leader in veterans’ recovery" and it demonstrated the government’s commitment to ex-servicemen and women, who sacrifice so much in the line of duty.

The games are "a festival of recovery, showcasing some of the very best of our veteran community", he added.

Endorsing the bid, the city council said the outstanding work of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the strong links with the armed forces and their families made Birmingham the ideal host city.