2026 Defender Trophy: Apply Now for an Epic Adventure

Global adventure and community have been the fabric of the Defender brand’s DNA for decades, staying true to its roots that can be traced back to the original Land Rover of 1948. Our unique new global adventure challenge will bring nations together, as competitors co‑operate to navigate tough terrain, conquer extreme physical challenges and solve tactical tests — all united by a greater purpose.

Working with Tusk, our conservation partner of more than 20 years, we will bring epic adventure to a new generation of enthusiasts, watching online, while leaving a legacy we can be proud of. If you embrace the impossible and share our unstoppable spirit of adventure, this is the challenge for you.

— Mark Cameron, Managing Director, Defender

Defender Trophy North American Competition

If you are selected based on your application (more on that in a minute), the first stop will be the Defender Trophy North American Competition at Stave Lake in Mission, British Columbia, Canada, sometime between April 15 and May 5, 2026, for two consecutive days.

And, this isn’t a free ride. You’ll have to pay your own way to get to and from the competition. However, Land Rover will provide accommodations, food, beverages, and uniforms once there.

In the spirit of the previous Trophy events, the 2026 Defender Trophy North American Competition will be composed of various “challenge” activities, 16 in this case. The idea is to accumulate the maximum number of points possible in each challenge and have the most at the end of the 2 days of competition.

Land Rover also says that “Brand Fit is an essential ingredient to a participant’s complement of skills. As an attribute, it cannot be measured by time or distance, but it can be highly evident in an individual’s attitude, approach, demeanor, confidence, positivity, and openness.”

Bonus points are up for grabs for an “individual’s attitudes and brand fit.” And, “a Brand Fit score of up to an additional 20% of their final score can be added to their score to provide additional points to uplift the exceptional candidates that demonstrated excellent Brand Fit.”

So, in order to win the 2026 Defender Trophy North American Competition, you not only have to excel at the various “challenges,” but you also have a great attitude while doing so, one that Land Rover deems a good brand fit.

Defender Trophy Global

Only two Canadians and two Americans will move on from the North American selections in spring 2026 to the Global Trophy Competition. There, they will join 50 other teams from countries around the world, somewhere in Africa, during the month of October.

The approximate retail value of competing in the Global Trophy Competition is about $35,000. This means that travel, accommodations, and the like are covered if you make it to this stage of the competition.

The Global Trophy Competition will be an “off-road driving competition/adventure” that will span “up to 21 days” in “potentially harsh environments.” You’ll be living outdoors in close proximity to other competitors and “will face obstacles and a selection of mental and physical challenges in a unique test of wit, willpower, and teamwork.”

While scoring will be on an individual basis, competitors will compete in pairs. There will be stages to the competition, and the lowest‑ranked competitor from each stage will be given the first pick of potential teammates ahead of each stage.

A variety of driving challenges, ingenuity challenges, and physical challenges will make up each stage. Competitors will need to be able to drive and navigate off-road, think fast while keeping their cool in tough situations, and be physically fit enough to “traverse canyons and cross rivers.”

In Africa, competitors will be hosted by Defender conservation partner Tusk. As part of the event, which will be filmed for the DEFENDER YouTube channel, competitors will also “[complete] a unique Tusk conservation mission.”

Defender 110 Trophy Edition

During these competitions, the vehicles being used will be special Trophy Edition Defender 110s. They will be in either Deep Sandglow Yellow or Keswick Green and feature a Gloss Black hood, lower bodyside, brake calipers, and rear recovery eyes. They will also have Gloss Black 20-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires.

Of course, they will also be fully logoed up. The Trophy graphic will be prominently displayed on the hood, C-pillar, and rear of the truck. Inside, you’ll be greeted by Trophy illuminated treadplates and Ebony Windsor leather seats. The Cross Car Beam inside is color-matched to the exterior paint color and has laser‑etched endcaps with Trophy logos.

The accessory parts catalog has also been thrown at these Trophy Edition Defenders. These parts include the Expedition Roof Rack, Deployable Roof Ladder, Side-Mounted Gear Carrier, a Raised Air Intake, and Front and Rear Classic Mud Flaps.

Get In on the Action: 2026 Defender Trophy

More in line with the Camel Trophy and early TReK events, the 2026 Defender Trophy does not require the purchase of anything, but instead is entered through an application process and selection event. The Trophy events of the past few years in the U.S. have all required the purchase of limited-edition Land Rover Defender Trophy models.

As a three-time Land Rover TReK (media wave) winner, Land Rover enthusiast, and someone who enjoys type-two fun in far-off lands, I of course applied, and you should too.

There are up to 44 Canadian and 190 American entry slots up for grabs for the North American Trophy Competition in Canada. Only two Canadians and two Americans will move on to the Global Trophy Competition in Africa.

Eligibility

Eligibility for the Defender Trophy competition is relatively basic, but also specific. You need to be over 23 years old, speak fluent English, have a valid driver’s license with at least 3 years of driving experience without any recent offenses, and have a valid passport. Also, you must be able to swim a minimum of 50 m unassisted and unaided.

You also must be a resident of one of the 50 participating countries in the competition — both Canada and the U.S. are participating.

“An unstoppable spirit” is also said to be essential.

Application Process

The application process is pretty simple. Go to the online application, fill out your personal details, and answer some questions. The answers to the questions will be scored on Defender brand fit and the likelihood of success at the competition.

The final step is to upload a 1-minute (or shorter) video. It can be shot with any recording device, but needs to be in landscape orientation. The video is just of you explaining to the camera how you embrace your impossible and why you should be selected.

Video Judging Criteria

• Built to Last: Demonstrates a mindset and actions rooted in long-term impact and resilience.
• Stuff of Stories: Exhibits bold originality and a willingness to challenge the norm in pursuit of meaningful, inspiring outcomes.
• Shared Mission Mindset: Embodies a collaborative spirit, aligning personal drive with collective purpose to elevate the team and mission.
• Individual’s Brand Fit: Shows a natural alignment with the brand’s spirit — living its values, representing its voice, and embodying what it means to be truly Unstoppable.

Each entry will be individually judged and scored. The questionnaire answers will account for 25% of the total score, while the video will account for the remaining 75%.

Get your application in before Nov. 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Winning entrants will be notified by February 28, 2026.

Trophy Retrospective

And, to inspire you to apply for the 2026 Defender Trophy, here’s a short video about the history of the Trophy events.