​Detroit is gearing up for a high-stakes, fast-paced week of competition as hundreds of wheelchair users, along with thousands of their friends, family members, and coaches, descend on downtown Detroit for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games at Huntington Place. The world’s largest annual wheelchair sports and rehabilitation event dedicated to military veterans showcases more than 20 adaptive sports, including archery, softball, basketball, and rugby, all taking place at Huntington Place, with additional activities such as fishing, cycling, bowling, and swimming happening at other Metro Detroit venues, including Belle Isle. This marks the NVWG’s first visit to Detroit and the first time Michigan has hosted the event since 1987, when it was held in Ann Arbor.
“We’re expecting a little over 500 veterans and their families to join us,” said Jennifer Purser, co-director of the Wheelchair Games. “We love Detroit and we’re excited to be here.” Purser noted that the games are co-presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America. “The Wheelchair Games feel like a family reunion with a sporting twist,” she said. “Many veterans have competed with us for years, and we’re also welcoming a large group of newcomers—more than 100—creating a big, welcoming family atmosphere.”
Purser emphasized that many athletes have been participating for years, making the competition a robust and inclusive affair that welcomes both men and women across a wide range of ages and skill levels. The National Veterans Wheelchair Games encompass more than 20 adaptive sports, and Purser highlighted that the event includes Paralympians as well as athletes who are just discovering different disciplines. “Overall, it captures everything you’d want to learn about adaptive sports. If you’re a veteran who hasn’t signed up for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and you’d like to learn more, this is an excellent opportunity.”
The event invites anyone in the area to come watch the competitions, and it also offers numerous volunteer opportunities for adults and teens alike. Purser urged the community to participate: “Come out, bring your friends and family. Volunteers are crucial to an event of this complexity, and I guarantee you’ll want to do it again.”
Local advocate Alan Hejl, founder and lead accessibility consultant at Spark Access, has been helping raise awareness and rally support for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games’ Detroit appearance. Hejl, a Metro Detroiter, noted that building a cohesive disability community in Detroit is an ongoing process, and a flagship event like the NVWG can help accelerate it. The event is set to bring Huntington Place to life in downtown Detroit on June 23, 2026, fostering greater connectivity and inclusivity within the city’s disability landscape. Hejl explained that when the NVWG selects a host city, it often looks for places where a unifying event can catalyze stronger social links and cultivate a more inclusive culture around mobility and accessibility, ultimately benefiting the broader community.