Fifteen Years Strong: The 2025 DoD Warrior Games Celebrate Resilience Through Sport

DOD Warrior Games Images

The Department of Defense Warrior Games mark a milestone in 2025: fifteen years of honoring the resilience and competitive spirit of wounded, ill, and injured service members through adaptive sports. Set to take place from July 18 to 26 at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the games will feature nearly 200 athletes from across the military branches, including the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Special Operations Command. Originally launched in 2010, the Warrior Games were designed not only to showcase elite-level athleticism but also to support recovery through structured competition. The event is part of the broader DoD Warrior Care program, which promotes recovery and reintegration by using adaptive sports to enhance physical and emotional healing. According to the Department of Defense, the games “engage military service members outside of traditional therapy settings” and encourage “new opportunities for growth and achievement”.

DOD Warrior Games Images

The 2025 edition includes 11 adaptive sports, such as sitting volleyball, archery, wheelchair rugby, and powerlifting, and will take place over nine days of high-intensity action. Although most events are open to the public, swimming and field competitions have attendance limitations due to venue capacity. The games will also be broadcast live through a dedicated livestream, allowing friends, families, and fans around the world to witness the strength and determination of these extraordinary athletes. Notably, there will be no international participation this year, with the focus remaining on U.S. service members and veterans. Looking ahead, the 2026 and 2028 Warrior Games will be hosted in San Antonio, Texas, while plans for the 2027 location are still underway. As the Warrior Games continue to evolve, their mission remains unchanged: to foster a culture of perseverance, inspire healing through sport, and honor the sacrifice and service of America's wounded warriors. The 2025 games are not just a competition—they are a living testament to recovery in real time.