The global final of the newly revived Defender Trophy is scheduled to take place in October 2026.
The event schedule spans several phases leading up to the grand finale:
- National Qualifiers (Ongoing): Regional selection rounds began late last year and are rolling out across more than 50 participating countries over a six-month window. Japan and Taiwan have already completed their local trials, while other regions are wrapping up theirs.
- The Big Reveal (August 2026): Land Rover will officially announce the exact host location in Africa and the full roster of global winners.
- The Global Final (October 2026): The selected 34 global finalists will converge in Africa for the ultimate multi-stage adventure, partnering with the Tusk Trust for extreme off-road driving and conservation missions.
The global final of the Defender Trophy is slated for southern Africa, with several countries highly rumored to host, while teams are scored through an intense mix of mental and physical trials.
Official details from Land Rover break down the rumored host locations and the unique scoring system:
Rumored African Host Locations
- South Africa: Highly expected to be the main stage or a core component of the route. The country has a deep-rooted 4×4 culture, highly rugged terrains, and recently hosted intense local selection trials.
- Namibia and Botswana: Heavily rumored due to Land Rover's explicit goal to test teams in authentic, roadless, and "challenging surroundings". These nations also tie directly into the conservation initiatives of Land Rover’s official event partner, the Tusk Trust.
How the Trials are Scored
Competitors participate in pairs but are scored individually. To prevent teams from relying on just one strong member, the lowest-ranked individual gets the first pick of their teammate before each new stage. Points are earned across three core areas:
- Driving Challenges: Demanding tests of navigation, obstacle clearing, and precision driving over tough trails, rocky inclines, and deep drops.
- Ingenuity Challenges: High-pressure cognitive tasks where teams must think fast, solve mechanical or engineering problems, and work smart to bypass roadless obstacles.
- Physical Challenges: Tests of physical strength and endurance, including traversing steep canyons, foot navigation, and crossing rivers.
The exact route maps and the official host country announcement will drop in August 2026.
