Prince Harry's Invictus Games are facing a crisis as sponsors reportedly pull out, with the future of the event being questioned. The Duke of Sussex visited the UK earlier this month to mark one year until the next iteration of the games, which are scheduled to be held in Birmingham in 2027.
Mark Dolan raises concerns
Speaking on The Daily Expresso podcast, Mark Dolan suggested the games could "all go up in smoke." He said: "He's lost his way. You mentioned that maybe the idea is Meghan's going to be making the money while he's a global influencer... well that's not going well because he's lost control of Sentebale. And then of course our mutual friend Paula Froelich has revealed that not only are Invictus losing sponsors, including the headline sponsor Boeing, this could be the last Invictus next year, and it could all go up in smoke."
Prince Harry's speech at the one-year-to-go event
At the Invictus Games One Year To Go event on July 10, Prince Harry said: "What we've seen today shows us that, if anything, this is just the beginning." He added: "One year from today, the world will come to the great city of Birmingham, for the Invictus Games 2027. To bring the Games back to the UK – 13 years after London 2014 – feels incredibly special for all of us. Not just because this is where the Invictus journey first began, but because Britain has always understood the importance of service, resilience, and standing together when it matters most."
Boeing's previous commitment
In February 2024, Boeing announced a multi-year commitment to the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 and the Invictus Games Foundation "through 2026." Cheri Carter, vice president of Boeing Global Engagement, said at the time: "Current and former servicemen and women play a vital role in communities around the world and are an integral part of Boeing's identity. We are deeply committed to empowering servicemembers and their families in their recovery journeys so they can achieve success in their next mission. We are honored to continue our partnership with the Invictus Games Foundation to celebrate the unconquerable spirit of all of the Games competitors and the families who support them."
