General | July 28, 2026 | 12:28

The National Veterans Wheelchair Games wrapped up its six-day event in Detroit, bringing hundreds of athletes from across the country to compete, connect, and grow through the power of adaptive sports.

The 45^th annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games brought more than 500 athletes to the Motor City, with participants traveling from as far away as California and Puerto Rico and from as near as five minutes down the road.

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.

The event opened on July 9 at Huntington Place, where veterans attended the National Veterans Wheelchair Games Expo, participated in clinics, and took part in the opening ceremony. At the expo, veterans received Made in Michigan-themed souvenirs featuring local items such as Better Made chips, Sanders chocolate, Faygo, Detroit stickers, a deck of cards with a euchre how-to manual, and a custom keychain made by a local Detroit veteran.

From July 10-14, athletes competed in more than 20 sports, including basketball, boccia, softball, and esports. Participants represented a wide range of experience levels, from first-time National Veterans Wheelchair Games competitors to athletes returning for their 30^th year and beyond.

Throughout the week, veterans also met local Detroit mascots, including Wayne State's W, Detroit City FC's Friendly, Motor City Cruise's Nitro, as well as Detroit sports figures such as Tigers alumnus Dave Rozema, Red Wing Luke Witkowski, Lions player Hogan Hatten, Pistons alumnus Lindsey Hunter, and the Pistons Extreme Team.

When athletes were not competing, they and their families could take part in a variety of activities, including meditation and massages with W Buchanan Group, a silent disco, Kids Day celebrations, and the 2027 NCAA^® Men's Final Four^® Fan Jam.

For some athletes, the Games marked a homecoming and a return to Detroit for the first time since moving away. For others, it was their first opportunity to experience the city.

Year after year, the Games foster a powerful sense of community, helping veterans and caregivers build lasting relationships and support networks that extend beyond the event. 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.