Prince Harry announced Wednesday that Toronto will be the host city for the 2017 Invictus Games.

The Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded, ill and injured servicemen and women, was founded by Prince Harry after he visited the U.S.-based Warrior Games in 2013.

The first Invictus Games was held in London in 2014 and this year's event will be held in Orlando from May 8 to 12.

In a video released Wednesday, Prince Harry said Toronto will host the games in September 2017.

“The Invictus Games in Toronto will have more competitors, more participating nations and more sports than ever before,” he said in the video.

“It will even involve competing on ice, because this is Canada after all.”

He added that he plans to visit Toronto in May, his first visit to the city in 25 years.

“From what I’ve seen, the plans for 2017 are already developing well and I’ll be heading to Toronto in May on my way to Orlando for the official launch of the countdown to the 2017 Invictus Games,” he said.

More than 600 military competitors from 16 nations will be competing in 12 sports at the 2017 event.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Mayor John Tory called the news "very exciting."

“We are going to have literally hundreds people who we have reason to honour," Tory said. 

"From what I can gather from listening to people talk about it this morning, people seem as excited about Prince Harry’s visit here both this year and next and so I think it is something that’s great for Toronto. It just adds to a list of things that take place in this community that are international… I’m very happy it is happening.”

The games will be held as Canada celebrates its 150th anniversary of Confederation.

"The Invictus Games will build on the success [of the TORONTO 2015 Games], with remarkable service men and women and veterans from allied nations competing in these exciting and uplifting Games," Premier Kathleen Wynne said in a written statement.

Speaking to CP24 Wednesday afternoon, Coun. Kristyn Wong-Tam said she believes the event is a "great initiative."

"As the chair of the city’s Disabilities, Access and Inclusion advisory committee, we certainly welcome any opportunity or initiative that highlights the person as a whole person regardless or the injuries or the physical abilities or disabilities," she said. 

Coun. Vincent Crisanti said the event should boost tourism in the city.

"We have the infrastructure with Pan Am and Parapan Am Games that we just had last summer that were quite successful and so I think it is another great event for the city that will bring people into our city," he said.