ESPORT: DEFLAN 2026, the new edition of the inter-service e

DEF’LAN 2026, the new edition of the inter-service e-sports tournament organized by the Directorate of Defense Digital (CND).

From Saturday 9 to Monday 11 May 2026, the Directorate of Defense Digital is organizing the new edition of DEF’LAN at the Fort du Kremlin-Bicêtre, bringing together the gaming communities of the armies, directorates, and services of the ministry. For three days, seven teams will compete in a multiplayer strategy game and a first-person shooter game, embodying competition, cohesion, and collective improvement.

The event will be broadcast live on dedicated Twitch and YouTube channels.

Objective of the event

Cohesion: building bridges between the various military and civilian armies, directorates, and services around common values like team spirit and self-improvement.

Digital culture: highlighting cognitive skills (reflexes, strategy, analysis) relevant to modern combat.

Attractiveness: modernizing the image of the armies to strengthen the Army-Nation bond.

Visibility: identifying the best internal talents to represent the ministry in international competitions.

The central idea: using video gaming as a strategic tool to bring together young people, defense, and digital technology.

The innovations of this second edition

Introducing a new genre of game – a First Person Shooter (FPS).

All three armies are participating! The French Navy will field a competitive team for the first time to compete in the MOBA tournament. They will face off against the Air and Space Army, the Army, the inter-service team Arkhée, and the CND. Who will win the GameGend trophy?

Live broadcast of the event, with commentary on the matches and other surprises.

Demonstration of other e-sports applications, featuring simulation, and showcasing professions and skills.

The seven teams are:

– AAEEG – Air and Space Army E-sport & Gaming – HexaForce Esport – Army E-sport & Gaming – GAME GEND – National Gendarmerie – MNES – Navy E-sport – Arkhée – Official team of the Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans – CND Nyx – Directorate of Defense Digital (Team 1) – CND Nyx Academy – Directorate of Defense Digital (Team 2)

Program schedule

– E-sports tournament day – Saturday 9 May 2026 – E-sports tournament day – Sunday 10 May 2026 – VIP day – Monday 11 May 2026 From 2 p.m.: welcome at the Fort de Kremlin-Bicêtre 3 p.m.: interview with GCA Rolland, Director of the Directorate of Defense Digital 3:10 p.m.: meeting with the players 4 p.m.: award ceremony 4:30 p.m.: end of the press sequence.