DEF’LAN 2026, the new edition of the inter-armed forces e-sports tournament organized by the Defense Digital Department (CND).
From Saturday, May 9th to Monday, May 11th, 2026, the Defense Digital Department is organizing the new edition of DEF’LAN at the Kremlin-Bicêtre Fort, bringing together the gaming communities of the armed forces, departments, and services of the ministry. For three days, seven teams will compete in a multiplayer strategy game and a first-person shooter game in a spirit of competition, cohesion, and collective achievement.
The event will be broadcast live on dedicated Twitch and YouTube channels.
Objective of the Event
Cohesion: Create bonds between the different armed forces, departments, and services (military and civilian) around common values such as teamwork and self-improvement.
Digital culture: Highlight cognitive skills (reflexes, strategy, analysis) useful in modern combat.
Attractiveness: Modernize the image of the armed forces to strengthen the link between the Military and the Nation.
Visibility: Identify the best internal talents to represent the ministry at international competitions.
Central Idea: Transforming video game practice into a strategic lever to bring together youth, defense, and digital technology.
New features of this second edition
The competition will feature a new type of game, a First Person Shooter (FPS).
All three armed forces will participate! The French Navy will field a competitive team for the first time to compete in the MOBA tournament. They will compete against the Air and Space Force, the Army, the Arkhê team, and the CND. Who will win the GameGend trophy?
There will be a live broadcast of the event with commentary on the matches and other surprises.
There will also be demonstrations of other e-sports applications, such as simulation, to showcase our professions and skills.
The seven teams are:
- AAEEG – Air and Space Force E-sport & Gaming
- HexaForce Esport – Army E-sport & Gaming
- GAME GEND – National Gendarmerie
- MNES – Navy E-sport
- Arkhê – Official team of the Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans
- CND Nyx – Defense Digital Department (Team 1)
- CND Nyx Academy – Defense Digital Department (Team 2)
Provisional Schedule
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E-sports tournaments day – Saturday, May 9, 2026
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E-sports tournaments day – Sunday, May 10, 2026
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VIP day – Monday, May 11, 2026
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From 2 pm: Welcome at the Kremlin-Bicêtre Fort, 21 Avenue Charles Gide, 94270 Kremlin-Bicêtre
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3 pm: Interview with GCA Rolland, Director of the Defense Digital Department
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3:10 pm: Meeting with the players
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4 pm: Prize distribution
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4:30 pm: End of the press session.
