San Antonio, August 19, 2025
News Summary
San Antonio has officially received the Department of Defense Warrior Games flag, marking the transition of responsibilities as the upcoming host city for the 2026 Warrior Games. This adaptive sports competition aims to support the recovery of wounded, ill, and injured service members. The city, known for its military population, emphasizes its commitment to hosting the event, which will feature multiple adaptive sports and encourage community participation.
San Antonio
San Antonio officially received the Department of Defense Warrior Games flag from Colorado Springs, marking the transition of host city responsibilities for the 2026 Warrior Games. The handover ceremony signals San Antonio’s role as the upcoming host for a multi-branch adaptive sports competition designed to support the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded, ill, and injured service members.
Key details
The flag transfer ceremony took place during an event in Colorado Springs where local officials passed the flag to a San Antonio delegate, accompanied by a public message reading See You in San Antonio. San Antonio’s municipal leadership emphasized the city’s commitment to supporting warrior athletes and their families, pointing to the city’s long-standing status as Military City USA and one of the largest active and retired military populations in the nation.
The Warrior Games are organized by the Department of Defense and have been held annually since 2015. The competition brings together athletes representing multiple military services, with confirmed representation from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Special Operations Command. Typical annual participation includes at least 200 competitors, with organizers expressing intent to increase that number in coming years.
Purpose and activities
The Warrior Games focus on enhanced recovery and rehabilitation by exposing wounded, ill, and injured service members to adaptive sports. The event is intended to support service member resiliency and determination while also increasing public awareness of DoD Warrior Care programs and the resources available to military personnel and families.
Adaptive sports scheduled for the competition include archery, cycling, field events, indoor rowing, powerlifting, precision air, sitting volleyball, swimming, track events, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair rugby. Events are open to the public, providing an opportunity for local communities to attend and support participating athletes.
Local leadership and planning
San Antonio’s Director of Military and Veteran Affairs highlighted the event’s emphasis on service member resiliency and determination as central to the city’s hosting goals. City officials have framed the 2026 Games as both a competitive sporting event and a platform to draw attention to recovery programs and support services available through the Department of Defense.
Public access and information
The competition will be open to spectators and community members. For official details and updates, individuals are directed to the Department of Defense Warrior Games website at DODWarriorGames.com for schedules, venue information, and any registration or spectator guidance that will be released as planning progresses.
Context
The Warrior Games operate as an adaptive sports competition that complements medical and rehabilitative efforts by offering competitive and social opportunities to recovering service members. Since the program’s launch in 2015, it has provided a recurring platform for cross-branch competition and community-level exposure to Warrior Care resources.
Key features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Host city | San Antonio (2026) |
| Organizing body | Department of Defense (DoD) |
| Typical participants | At least 200 competitors annually (goal to increase) |
| Military branches represented | Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, Special Operations Command |
| Adaptive sports | Archery, cycling, field, indoor rowing, powerlifting, precision air, sitting volleyball, swimming, track, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby |
| Public access | Open to public attendance |
| More information | DODWarriorGames.com |
Timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ceremony date: Not specified | Flag transfer ceremony from Colorado Springs to San Antonio; San Antonio delegate received DoD Warrior Games flag | Completed (handover at Colorado Springs ceremony) |
| 2026 (dates TBD) | San Antonio hosts the Department of Defense Warrior Games | Upcoming (host city responsibilities transferred) |
| 2015 | Inception of the Department of Defense Warrior Games (annual events since) | Historical / Ongoing |
Statistics and visual summary
Simple visual bars summarize key counts and program elements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Warrior Games?
The Warrior Games are a Department of Defense adaptive sports competition intended to support the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded, ill, and injured service members through competitive sport and related activities.
When and where will the 2026 Warrior Games be held?
San Antonio will host the 2026 Warrior Games. Specific event dates, venues, and schedules have not been announced and are to be determined by event organizers.
Who can compete in the Warrior Games?
Competitors represent various military services, including the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Special Operations Command, and are typically wounded, ill, or injured service members participating in adaptive sports.
How many competitors participate each year?
The event typically features at least 200 participants each year, with organizers aiming to grow that number in future competitions.
Are the games open to the public?
Yes. The competition is open to public attendance, enabling community support for participating athletes.
What adaptive sports are included?
Adaptive sports included are archery, cycling, field events, indoor rowing, powerlifting, precision air, sitting volleyball, swimming, track, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair rugby.
Where can I find more information?
Official information and updates are available from the Department of Defense Warrior Games website: DODWarriorGames.com.
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Additional Resources
- Audacy: San Antonio to Host 2026 DoD Warrior Games
- Wikipedia: San Antonio
- Hoodline: San Antonio to Host 2026 Warrior Games
- Google Search: Department of Defense Warrior Games
- NBA: Warriors Gameday Preview
- Google Scholar: Warrior Games
- ESPN: NBA Game Recap
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Warrior Games
- Golden State of Mind: How to Watch Warriors vs. Spurs
- Google News: Warrior Games
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
