General | July 10, 2026 | 11:15

The Detroit Sports Commission (DSC) today announced the 2026 National Veterans Wheelchair Games (NVWG), taking place in Detroit July 9–14, 2026. The six-day event will bring together hundreds of veterans from across the country to compete, connect, and grow through the power of adaptive sports.

Co-presented by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), the National Veterans Wheelchair Games is the world's largest annual wheelchair rehabilitation sporting event designed exclusively for military veterans with disabilities.

"Detroit is honored to host the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and welcome these extraordinary athletes to our city," said Marty Dobek, Executive Director of the Detroit Sports Commission. "The Games go far beyond competition, empowering veterans to live healthy, independent lives. We are proud to bring an event to Detroit that inspires and unites both their community and ours."

The National Veterans Wheelchair Games empower veterans with spinal cord injuries, amputations, multiple sclerosis, and other physical disabilities to rediscover independence and improve their quality of life through sport.

Athletes will compete in more than 20 sports throughout the week, including basketball, bowling, pickleball, and 9-ball. Many of these activities are intentionally designed to be accessible beyond the Games, allowing veterans to stay active and engaged in their own communities long after the event concludes.

"As a veteran living with paralysis for over 30 years, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games means everything – the event helps us develop and refine core wheelchair skills, build confidence, expand support systems, relearn everyday tasks, and so much more, said U.S. Army veteran and PVA National President Robert Thomas. "PVA is honored to work alongside the VA to put on the Wheelchair Games, and we are committed to improving and expanding this life-changing event for years to come."

In addition to competition, the Games create a powerful sense of community. Newly injured veterans are provided opportunities to connect with peers who share similar experiences, while veterans and their caregivers build lasting relationships and support networks that extend well beyond the event.

Each year, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games inspire more than 500 veterans to persevere through daily challenges, using sport as a pathway to healing, confidence, and connection. The experience often sparks continued involvement in athletics at the local, regional, and national levels, with past participants going on to become national champions, world-class athletes, and Paralympians.

The Department of Veterans Affairs launched the Wheelchair Games in 1981 with seven events and 77 athletes. PVA joined forces with the VA in 1985 to help expand the event's mission and reach.