Invictus Games kick off with star-studded opening ceremony in Vancouver

VANCOUVER - The 2025 Invictus Games for injured military and service personnel has kicked off in Vancouver with a star-studded opening ceremony featuring artists Katy Perry, Roxane Bruneau, Noah Kahan, Nelly Furtado and Coldplay's Chris Martin.

Event producer Patrick Roberge said it is the most "headliner stars" the sporting event has ever seen, adding there are about 800 people who will perform for a crowd of about 40,000 at BC Place.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, founded the Games in 2014 for wounded, injured or sick service personnel and veterans. He and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, were in attendance on Saturday and were seen clapping and singing along to the performances.

Up to 550 athletes from 23 nations are taking part in 11 adaptive sports in Whistler and Vancouver, and several of the events will take place in the same venues that hosted the 2010 Olympic Games. 

Four host nation chiefs entered the stadium to the beat of drums Saturday afternoon, holding raised paddles — a traditional sign of welcome for strangers arriving on the shores of Coast Salish Indigenous communities.

The athletes parade began with Germany, who hosted the games in 2023 in Duesseldorf, and ended with Team Canada whose members wore matching blue and black flannel shirts. 

The stadium transformed into what organizers called a "sea of blue," which represented the Pacific coastline, with blue banners and flags waving along the floor as audience members held up blue pompoms. A balloon humpback whale and silver dolphins flew over the crowd.

Each country was led by a Canadian Armed Forces cadet, who were each holding a paddle placard that displayed each country's name.

Dignitaries in attendance included Mary Simon, the Governor General of Canada, and B.C. Premier David Eby, who took a moment to mention the current political climate between Canada and the United States, where U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened tariffs on Canadian products and said he wants Canada to become the 51st state. 

Eby addressed Team USA directly, noting that Canadian soldiers "have fought and died and cried and celebrated beside Americans for generations," and he said that Canadians will always be there for the U.S.

"And you know what, if we ever need you, and it came down to it, I know you'd be there in a second. God bless USA. God bless Canada," Eby told the crowd.

This year is the first time the Games will feature winter sports, including the skeleton, skiing events and wheelchair curling, alongside indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball events as it has previously.

Roberge said organizers are excited to host the first hybrid Games, adding that four First Nations are co-hosts, representing the "shared healing journey of Indigenous Peoples in Canada."

"The general theme of the ceremonies will be 'Paddle Together.' It is also symbolic of our community coming together and hosting these Games," Roberge told a media briefing on Thursday. "It's (an) unbelievable response that we've been getting, not only from artists, but from the local community."

Gabrille Hack was among the attendees who filed into BC Place ahead of the opening ceremony. She said her mother was volunteering at the event and got her tickets. 

"Seeing people in their military outfits and everything — I think it's just such a unique atmosphere," Hack said in an interview before the ceremony, adding that watching the music artists live is another major draw.

That sentiment was shared by fellow ceremony-goer Gina Behnke. The Germany-native said Kahan was the main reason she wanted to attend. 

"Noah Kahan is my favourite artist and tickets for his concerts are really expensive, so this was a chance to see him, even if it's just for one song," Behnke said outside the stadium. 

Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado was the first headliner to take the stage, performing a medley of "Spirit Indestructible," "Promiscuous," "I'm Like a Bird," "Turn Off the Light" and "Powerless." She was joined by guests music producer Mattmac and dance group Ill Abilities. 

Francophone singer Roxane Bruneau performed songs "J'pas stressée" and "À ma manière," performing alongside the 80-person Invictus Games Dance Corp., which has been practising together since November 2024.

Chris Martin of Coldplay performed the Invictus Anthem live for the first time. The song, which he penned for the first Games in London in 2014, has formed the basis of medal ceremonies for all Invictus Games. He completed his set by playing Coldplay hits "Higher Power" and "Viva La Vida."

As the final chorus of "Viva La Vida" rang out, the video panned to the singing crowd, pausing briefly on Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, who could be seen taking part.

Kahan, meanwhile, performed his hit songs "Northern Attitude" and "Stick Season."

This year marks the seventh Games and the second time they have been held in Canada. Toronto previously acted as host in 2017.

Roberge also produced the opening and closing ceremonies in Ontario.

Prince Harry and Meghan are expected to be in attendance throughout the event.

Last year, the pair attended training camp in B.C., where the prince tried out sit-skiing and skeleton in Whistler before heading to Vancouver to try wheelchair curling alongside Canadian singer Michael Bublé.

The Games run until Feb. 16, and will conclude with a closing ceremony at Vancouver's Rogers Arena that will feature artists including country singer Jelly Roll and Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies.

Governor General Mary Simon, who spoke immediately after the singing of "O Canada," welcomed each team to the country. 

"Over the next few days, let us celebrate not only the victories but also everything these Games represent: resilience, health and healing, collaboration and respect among nations," she said.

"That's what Canadian strive for: building a more inclusive, supportive world."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 8, 2025.