History of Warrior Games in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 16, 2025

The Warrior Games, organized by the United States Department of Defense, is a multi-sport event designed for wounded, injured, and ill active duty service members and veterans. It provides a platform for these athletes to showcase their resilience and athletic abilities through competitive sports. The Games aim to enhance recovery and rehabilitation, promote camaraderie, and demonstrate the unwavering spirit of service members. It features various adaptive sports, fostering both physical and mental well-being while highlighting the sacrifices and achievements of these warriors.

2009: Creation of Warrior Games

In 2009, John Wordin, along with Gen. Gary Cheek, conceived the idea for the Warrior Games while participating in the Ride 2 Recovery 2009 Texas Challenge. A meeting was subsequently held at the Pentagon to discuss the Games.

2010: First Annual Warrior Games

The Warrior Games have taken place annually since 2010. The inaugural event was hosted at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Teams from various military branches competed in adaptive sports events.

2012: Warrior Games Family Program Support Begins

In 2012, the Warrior Games Family Program, led by the Fisher House Foundation, began supporting the athletes and their families.

2013: British Armed Forces Join Warrior Games

In 2013, the British Armed Forces joined the Warrior Games as the first allied nation. Britain's Prince Harry opened the Games that year, and his experience inspired him to create the Invictus Games.

2014: U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center Hosts Last Event

In 2014, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, hosted the Warrior Games for the last time after hosting the event since its creation.

2015: Department of Defense Organizes First Warrior Games

In 2015, the Department of Defense organized the Warrior Games for the first time. The event was held from June 19 to 28 at the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, with teams competing in eight adaptive sports.

2015: Sports included in the 2015 Warrior Games

In 2015, the Warrior Games included eight sports.

2015: Wheelchair Rugby as Exhibition Sport

In 2015, wheelchair rugby was held as an exhibition sport at the Warrior Games.

2016: Sports included in the 2016 Warrior Games

In 2016, the Warrior Games included eight sports.

2016: Warrior Games at West Point Hosted by the Army

In 2016, the Warrior Games took place at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, from June 15–21. The United States Army hosted the event as the first on a rotational basis. Jon Stewart emceed the ceremonies.

2017: Warrior Games Held in Chicago

In 2017, the Warrior Games took place in Chicago and was hosted by the United States Navy. This marked the first time the games were held off a military base or U.S. Olympic training facility. Sponsors included Boeing, Fisher House, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, United Airlines, and the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

June 2018: Air Force Hosts 2018 Warrior Games

In June 2018, the Air Force hosted the Warrior Games at the United States Air Force Academy. Sponsors included Green Beans Coffee, Fisher House, Amazon, Under Armour, and Dove.

2019: Sports featured in the 2019 Warrior Games

In 2019, the Warrior Games featured 14 sports: archery, cycling, time-trial cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track, field, wheelchair basketball, indoor rowing, powerlifting, golf, wheelchair tennis, and wheelchair rugby.

2019: 2019 Warrior Games Hosted in Tampa, Florida

In 2019, the Warrior Games, organized by the U.S. Special Operations Command and hosted in Tampa, Florida, broke records in attendance and the number of featured sports.

2022: 2022 Warrior Games held at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida

In 2022, The Warrior Games was held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida .

2022: Sports Featured in the 2022 Warrior Games

In 2022, athletes competed in 12 sports at the Warrior Games: archery, cycling, field, golf, indoor rowing, powerlifting, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair rugby.

2022: Army Hosts Warrior Games after COVID-19 Interruption

In 2022, the Army hosted the Warrior Games for the second time after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Walt Disney World, Florida. The Canadian Armed Forces participated for the second time, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine participated for the first time, winning a number of medals.

2024: Department of Defense Warrior Games Hosted by U.S. Army Training & Doctrine Command

For the 2024 Department of Defense Warrior Games, the U.S. Army Training & Doctrine Command hosted the event at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Over 200 athletes participated in adaptive sports to aid in their recovery.