2026 Land Rover Defender Trophy Edition: A Truck, and Competition

MISSION, Canada—It looked like a Land Rover playground at first glance. There were Defenders pulling wooden blocks via pulleys with teams guiding them into squares on the ground in one area. In another area, I spied people building bridges for their Defender to drive over. I saw rock crawling and water fording. This looked like fun. – 2026 Land Rover Defender Trophy Edition

2026 Land Rover Defender Trophy Edition

Physical Challenge

Until I saw what came before. This was Day Two of the Defender Trophy Competition, and it was comprised of team challenges using the vehicle to complete tasks and go over obstacles. Typical things you might find in an actual off-road situation.

But Day One? That, in my book, is the true challenge. Before competitors even get behind the wheel, they are put to the test with what I like to call “feats of strength,” testing your physical endurance in addition to your ability to work as a team while under fatigued and stressful conditions. Frankly, again, testing how you might have to use your body in an actual off-road situation to get yourself unstuck.

Defender Trophy Competition

But what exactly is the Defender Trophy, and how did people come to Canada to compete? Let’s back up a bit.

If you have ever heard of the Camel Trophy, which ran from 1980 to 2000, you’ll have an idea of what the Defender Trophy is because this two-day competition was inspired by that 12-day event. The idea is to test competitors in the areas of leadership, teamwork, endurance, and attitude. So, on Day One of the Trophy, competitors were tested for strength and endurance, which included stints in a pool and time on a ropes course. Then after being physically and mentally exhausted, Day Two throws you behind the wheel of a Defender in a series of team challenges that test your ability to lead and be part of a team as well as think critically to get yourself through and around obstacles—like building bridges and finding your way through an obstacle course with a poorly drawn map.

From what I witnessed, it was straight forward—until they threw you a curveball. For example, officials told competitors that they had to be able to run 2 to 3 miles, but what they didn’t say was that you’d have to do it while carrying a 20-pound jug of water. At the end of the day. When you’re already tired and physically maxed out.

Participation

The competition was open to anyone who wanted to enter, you just had to know about it. Some of the competitors were Land Rover owners and heard about it through their dealerships. Others saw it advertised on Instagram or heard about it through word of mouth. In order to enter, competitors had to fill out a questionnaire as well as submit a video application. The Defender Trophy competition I witnessed in Canada was part of the North American trials, and 120 competitors were selected to attend, only 12 people were selected as finalists, and from that only six will move on to the global event, which takes place in October in Africa.

What do you mean by feats of strength?

We followed one team through a couple of their stations, and it looked both fun and daunting at the same time. The first station we visited was a ropes course, where competitors had to climb up what looked like a telephone pole, then shimmy across a net that was at least 20-feet long before walking a tight rope with an above-head line to help you balance, swing across 10 tires to another telephone pole and another tight rope. And, you had to do it all in less than 5 minutes. Of the eight participants we watched, only two made it through the whole course.

“Le Pencilo”

Another exercise we watched was called “Le Pencilo,” and it consisted of a pole with eight ropes attached. Each teammate had to grab a rope and help pull the large pole upright, then guide it through a maze on the ground for 45 minutes. It was an exercise in strength and teamwork because when one person had to pull, another had to give just enough slack so that the pole would move without falling over. You racked up points by how many times you could get the pole through the maze in the time allotted.

There were a couple more exercises, including a swim, that we didn’t get to see. But after watching just two of the exercises, I knew it took a special — and perhaps crazy — kind of person to compete. I say that while having at least four friends who were participants, and while wishing (even after witnessing the mayhem) that I was among them.

The Defender Trophy Edition Competition vehicle

The vehicles used during the competition are the Land Rover Defender Trophy Edition models, which come tricked out from the factory with all the goodies you’d want if you were going off the grid to have some off-road fun for a few days. In addition to Trophy Edition badging, these models are built off the 110 and are standardly equipped with a roof rack and ladder, 20-inch gloss black wheels, all-terrain tires, raised air intake, extra underbody protection, and two heritage paint options: Keswick Green or Deep Sandglow Yellow. Under the hood, these models get a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine that delivers 395 horsepower.

Prices

The starting price for this limited edition model is $89,350, which puts it in the middle of the Defender 110 pack in terms of pricing.

Will the Defender Trophy Competition return for 2027?

Land Rover hasn’t confirmed that this will become an annual event, but they have said this first Defender Trophy Competition has been very successful. So, if you’re looking to compete next year, I’d start following Land Rover on all its socials, and maybe get in touch with your local dealership to express interest. We found that competitors who were in cahoots with, or sponsored by, a local dealer had a better chance of gaining entry to the competition.

While the competition itself doesn’t cost anything to enter, you do have to pay your own way to get there (think airfare, meals and hotel rooms). While you are competing, your meals and accommodations (think camping) are covered.

Our take on the Defender Trophy

My very first press trip as a journalist was with Land Rover. They took us to Moab, Utah, and we did some relatively extreme off-roading in a Range Rover Sport. That was my first introduction to the “Land Rover Guys.” These were our instructors, guides, emergency medical team, and general get-us-out-of-sticky-situation guys. They were just so damn prepared for everything. I left that event loving the Land Rover capability—and wanting to be a Land Rover Guy (or Gal as the case may be). Several of these guys and gals were former Camel Trophy competitors, and after watching the Defender Trophy, I now fully understand why they were so prepared for everything.

These guys and gals are what ultimately led me personally down the off-road path and the desire to compete in the Rebelle Rally. And now that I know Defender Trophy exists, I kinda want to do it. Even knowing that it’s not going to be easy. Maybe because I know it’s not going to be easy. And it will be another step on the path to becoming a “Land Rover Guy.”

So, I personally hope they make this an annual event, and you might just see me out there next year.

But first I need to go to the gym. A lot.