Defender Trophy is a global adventure challenge programme with a purposeful mission at its core. Epic Adventure with Greater Purpose.

The programme consists of a series of competitive selection events in select countries around the world from 2025 to 2026, refer to the list of participating countries, culminating in an epic global final in October 2026.

The objective is to build a global community of inspired Defender advocates who love a challenge and who support conservation causes.

The competition comprises a series of team-based challenges. Participants will navigate some of the world’s most brutal and unforgiving terrain, along the way facing engineering, and physical challenges that may seem impossible to overcome. It will test wit, willpower and teamwork. Every decision will count.

To win the Defender Trophy, competitors will need to prove the superior collective value of their character, personality, skills, sociability, inventiveness and collaboration.

The reward for the winners is to take part in the final mission. This will be an exhilarating expedition where they will use everything they have learned and unleash their skills to make a real impact on conservation efforts and purposeful causes.

No, this is a competition but not a race, there may be timed elements within the competition, but these will have strict controls. Competitors must ensure they always drive responsibly.

Individuals with an adventurous mindset – people who prefer to ‘do more’ than ‘have more’.

They are not age or gender defined, but are courageous and ambitious, liberated pioneers who have a desire to give back. To make a difference. These are not professional athletes; they are from all walks of life and have an insatiable thirst for adventure. They are fit, positive, collaborative and competitive. Defender Trophy is personal to them – they thrive in being part of its success.

In summary, we are looking for people who reflect true Defender values and are excited by a challenge.

The initial selection rounds for the competitors in the countries under the Asia-Pacific region as defined by the following participating countries; Singapore, New Zealand, Philippines, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Brunei will be managed through an invitation-only, closed-door process.

Qualified candidates emerging from this initial phase will be invited to an in-person selection competition event (“Regional Final”) in 2026, from which the region’s representative for the Global Finals will be chosen.

The Defender Trophy team are aiming to broadcast the competition across Defender owned channels/platforms including YouTube and social media channels.

All global winners will be announced in August 2026. The global final is anticipated to take place in October 2026. Confirmed dates will be announced during the competition process.

The first Defender Trophy global final is currently under development with the aim to take place in southern Africa in authentic and challenging surroundings where Defender is already contributing to local causes reflecting JLR’S 20-year association with TUSK org.

Precise locations will be announced later in the competition process.

For more than 70years Defender models have explored the world’s extremes. This unique legacy inspires a new breed of challenge for a new generation of adventurers and pioneers.

In the first season of the programme, we are welcoming applicants and selecting winners from the residents of the USA, Canada, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Africa, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland and other European countries as well as countries in the Asia Pacific and the Gulf Region.

Asia-Pacific region as defined by the following participating countries; Singapore, New Zealand, Philippines, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Brunei.

Only residents in the participating countries will be eligible to take part.