Downtown drivers should expect delays due to Invictus Games

The 2025 Invictus Games for injured military and service personnel kicks off Saturday, and drivers in downtown Vancouver should prepare for delays throughout the event’s run.

The event will feature 550 athletes from 23 nations taking part in 11 adaptive sports in Whistler and Vancouver. Many of the events will take place in the same venues that hosted the 2010 Olympic Games.

The two-hour opening ceremony for the event starts at 1 p.m. Saturday at BC Place. More than 100,000 spectators are expected to attend the event, which is headlined by Katy Perry and Chris Martin and will feature Nelly Furtado and others.

From 10:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Pacific Boulevard east of Smithe eastbound is being reduced to two lanes. Expo Boulevard from Griffiths Way to Smithe westbound is also reduced to two lanes.

Throughout the games, the City of Vancouver has implemented the following road changes starting Saturday and running until Feb. 16:

• Burrard Street from Helmcken Street to Nelson Street northbound has been reduced to two lanes; and
• Burrard Street from Dunsmuir Street to Georgia Street southbound has also been reduced to two lanes.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, founded the Games in 2014 for wounded, injured, or sick service personnel and veterans. Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, are expected to be in attendance throughout the event. Organizers did not confirm whether they will take the stage at the opening ceremonies.

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

With files from The Canadian Press.

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