Defender: Built to Brawl. Styled to Stay. Now It’s Taking You to Africa.

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Land Rover has just thrown down the gauntlet — and it’s not just another social media stunt. It’s a full-blown, boots-on-the-ground, mud-in-your-teeth adventure competition called the Defender Trophy. This isn’t a press junket. It’s a global test of grit, brains, and teamwork, leading to the African wilderness and a mission with real-world impact.

If you’ve ever looked at your Defender and thought, “Yeah, I could take this thing across a canyon”, this is for you. If you’ve got the appetite to drive hard, think fast, sweat plenty — and still care enough to leave the place better than you found it — then buckle up.

Because the prize isn’t just bragging rights. It’s legacy.

A Global Call to the Adventure-Hungry

Inspired by the legendary Trophy and Challenge events of Land Rover’s past, Defender Trophy 2025–26 is a multi-stage global challenge designed to separate the fair-weather travellers from the true expedition souls.

The format? Brutal, brilliant, and beautiful. Entrants from more than 50 countries will battle their way through local selections this year. Regional finals follow next spring. And those who make the cut? They’ll be flown to Africa in 2026 for a global showdown — hosted in collaboration with Tusk, Defender’s long-standing conservation partner.

The final won’t just test driving skills. Expect navigation chaos, physical exhaustion, and problem solving under pressure. Think less luxury safari, more off-road chess with altitude sickness.

Epic Adventure, Greater Purpose

This isn’t just about getting muddy and high-fiving your way through the wild. At its heart, Defender Trophy has a deeper goal. The global final will culminate in a Tusk-led conservation mission, where winners work hands-on to protect wildlife, support local communities, and leave a tangible legacy.

It’s part Dakar, part outdoor bootcamp, part call to action. And all of it broadcast to a global online audience.

This isn’t adventure theatre. This is real terrain, real stakes, and an unforgettable purpose.

Who Can Apply? (Hint: It’s Not for Everyone)

Defender is looking for people who match the brand’s DNA — resilient, practical, ready for the long haul. You need to be:

• Over 23
• Resident in a participating country
• Able to swim 50m
• Legally allowed to drive and travel internationally
• Fluent in English
• And above all: ready to go beyond your comfort zone

If that’s you, you can apply now. But fair warning: this isn’t a Sunday drive with a camera crew. This is a challenge that will stretch you mentally and physically. If you’re soft on effort or allergic to sand, this might not be your scene.

→ Full details here: DEFENDER TROPHY

Meet the Machine: The New Defender 110 Trophy Edition

Every epic needs a proper steed. And Land Rover has delivered.

The Defender 110 Trophy Edition is built for the job — expedition-ready, heritage-inspired, and packing the kind of upgrades that matter when things get messy. It comes in two bold colours that echo the spirit of classic Land Rover challenges:

Deep Sandglow Yellow – A modern take on the colour that once marked Land Rovers in desert Trophy events

Keswick Green – A nod to Britain’s rugged countryside and decades of rural exploration

Each comes with the option of a Matte Protective Film, perfect for keeping the bodywork scratch-free when squeezing past acacia branches or bouncing through rocky passes.

The exterior is finished with black detailing — from 20-inch alloy wheels and undershields to wheel arches and recovery eyes. Inside, you get Ebony Windsor leather, illuminated Defender Trophy treadplates, and an exposed crossbeam colour-matched to the body, complete with laser-etched Trophy branding.

And the optional gear list? Built for the real world:

• Expedition roof rack
• Deployable roof ladder
• Side-mounted gear carrier (for wet, sandy, or smelly kit)
• Classic mud flaps, raised air intake, and more

It’s a limited edition vehicle, but more importantly, it’s a statement: you’re either in the wild, or you’re just talking about it.

The Format: No Passengers Allowed

Once the final teams are selected, they’ll head to Africa — destination undisclosed, for now — for a multi-stage adventure with three key challenge types:

1. Driving Challenges
   Navigation, obstacle handling, and vehicle control over rough and unpredictable terrain. Expect rocky climbs, soft sand, river crossings, and a heavy dose of “did we just go the wrong way?”
2. Ingenuity Challenges
   Think fast, work smart, stay calm. Teams will face timed puzzles, mechanical improvisation, and real-world problem solving — often in adverse conditions.
3. Physical Challenges
   Canyons. Rivers. Boulders. Sandstorms. These will test endurance, strength, coordination, and team cohesion under pressure.

Each competitor is scored individually. But in an interesting twist, the lowest-ranked driver after each stage gets first pick of teammate for the next. It’s tactical, dynamic, designed to keep every competitor in the game — and under pressure.

A New Generation of Defender Heroes

The original Trophy events were gritty, unforgettable affairs. Defender Trophy takes that same raw adventure ethos and plants it firmly in the now. This isn’t just a heritage nod. It’s the start of something new.

By the end of 2026, a new group of modern adventurers will have taken on this challenge and left a mark — not only on each other, but on the communities and landscapes they pass through. With Tusk’s conservation mission at the heart of the final stage, the event becomes more than a test of courage. It becomes a force for good.

“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

Are You Made for It?

If the idea of sitting behind a desk for another year fills you with dread… if you’d rather be sweating your way up a mountainside than stuck in traffic… if you think the best travel stories are the ones that start with “well, we nearly didn’t make it” — then Defender Trophy was built for you.

Applications are now open. The countdown has begun. The only question left is:

Are you ready to embrace the impossible?

Find out more and apply here:


DEFENDER TROPHY