BMO has signed on as a sponsor of Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, which will take place from Feb. 8 to 16 next year in Whistler and Vancouver.

The Invictus Games are a competition for injured service members and veterans. “The games inspire recovery, support rehabilitation, and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who have served their country,” according to a release.

Next year’s games will bring together 550 contestants from 25 countries, who will compete in a variety of adaptive sports, including indoor rowing, seated volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair rugby. It will also be the first games to incorporate winter sports such as alpine skiing, biathlon, Nordic skiing, skeleton, snowboarding, and wheelchair curling. This will be Canada’s second time hosting the competition, following the 2017 games in Toronto. Last year’s games were held in Germany.

Gayle Ramsay, head, everyday banking, segments and customer growth, personal banking at BMO, tells MiC that the company will work this year to create activations and tactics that support the athletes and games.

Ramsay says that the sponsorship will allow the bank to reach and support service members, veterans and their families beyond the financial area. “BMO is committed to supporting military families through community events like the Invictus Vancouver Whistler 2025 Invictus Games. At BMO, one of the ways we live our purpose is by partnering with organizations that share our commitment to driving positive change and moving towards an inclusive society.”

Over the past decade, BMO contributed more than $5 million to support veterans’ workforce transition, recovery and rehabilitation programs, partnering with non-profit organizations Last Post Fund and Veteran’s House Canada, as well as the mental health service Wounded Warriors Canada. The bank is also a sponsor of the Canada Army Run, RCAF Run and Navy Bike Ride events.

Next year’s Invictus Games also signed Boeing and Atco as presenting partners. Boeing said in February that it would sponsor the competition and invest in the Invictus Games Foundation, which runs the games. Last month, Atco also announced the extension of its partnership with Invictus – the company has been the presenting sponsor of Team Canada at the games since 2022, in a deal that extends to 2027.