The Invictus Australia Sports Festival 2026 arrives in Perth from 23–25 October, bringing together competitors, family members, friends and volunteers, for two days of adaptive sport, connection and recovery. At the heart of the event will be 60 competing wounded, injured and ill service personnel and veterans from Australia, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea, competing across Indoor Rowing, Pickleball, Sitting Volleyball and Swimming.
The Festival forms part of a broader commitment to extend the impact of sport beyond the Invictus Games, by creating additional recovery pathways for defence communities around the world. In the Indo-Pacific region, it builds on Invictus Australia’s grassroots and adaptive sport programs, expanding access for veterans and families while fostering stronger ties across the region.
Invictus Australia Chair Glenn Keys AO reflected on the opportunity, sharing that it is also an opportunity to strengthen the pathways that sit around major events, connecting the international Invictus movement with ongoing opportunities for sport, physical activity and community here at home. “We are delighted to host the inaugural Invictus Australia Sports Festival in Perth. This event will not only provide meaningful competitive opportunities for our own veteran community, but also strengthen regional connections and share best practice in sports recovery. With our research demonstrating that sport can have a positive impact on 34 of the 122 recent findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, it’s more important than ever that we continue to work closely with our allies to advance support for our veterans and families, and learn from one another. We look forward to welcoming participants and observers alike to this landmark event.”
Rob Owen OBE, CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation, said: “The launch of the Invictus Australia Sports Festival marks an exciting step forward in the evolution of the global Invictus Movement. The Invictus Games will always be at the heart of what we do, but our ambition is to create more opportunities, in more places and in more ways, for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans to experience the healing power of sport and community. This Festival is an important part of that growing portfolio of activity, bringing the Invictus Spirit to more people across Australia and the wider Indo-Pacific region. We are deeply grateful to ATCO and Invictus Australia for their partnership in bringing this vision to life, and to Invictus Germany for helping to pave the way.”
ATCO has a longstanding connection with military communities and the Invictus Movement internationally through its support for Vancouver Whistler 2025 and Birmingham 2027 as well as global partner for the Invictus Games Foundation. As Presenting Partner of the Invictus Australia Sports Festival 2026, ATCO continues that support with this event focused on recovery, resilience and connection through sport.
Lisa Cooke, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of ATCO, said: “ATCO has a deep commitment to the military community and to those whose lives have been impacted by service. We are honoured to help create opportunities for recovery, connection and personal growth through our evolving support of the Invictus Games and Invictus Games Foundation. The Invictus Australia Sports Festival is an important addition to the Invictus Movement, bringing the Invictus spirit to more veterans, families and communities across the region. Our ATCO Australia team is thrilled to be part of the volunteer squad for this important and uplifting event.”
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