UK Launches Military Esports Competiton Scheduled for 2026
The United Kingdom will host the first international military esports competition next year. The competition will serve as a “collaborative arena for allied nations to sharpen the cyber skills that are critical for modern warfare.”
The military esports event, titled the International Defence Esports Games (IDEG), will be hosted in Sunderland, England. The U.K. Will collaborate with 40 other countries, including Canada and Poland.
Potential Benefits of Military Esports
U.K.’s Ministry of Defence’s press release says that competitive gaming helps those in the military develop critical battlefield skills – simultaneously tracking multiple threats, directing soldiers on the ground, performing under intense pressure and changing tactics based on live intelligence.
The Ministry of Defence recognized Esports as an official military sport in March of 2024, which gives it the same formal status as traditional sports such as rugby and shooting. Rob Thubron writes, “The MoD sees embracing gamer culture as a way of attracting and retaining young people, particularly for roles in cyber defence and technology-focused positions.”
More Information about the IDEG
According to Thubron, a writer for TechSpot, entries for the competition will open in January 2026. After a series of online qualifiers, the finals will take place from October 9 to October 11, 2026.
According to the website for the IDEG, the Games were created to “inspire, connect, and prepare the next generation of defence and digital talent.” The site’s footer states that the IDEG “builds a bridge between defence readiness and the fast-paced world of competitive gaming.”
Ukraine’s Role in Military Esports
Louise Sandher-Jones said, “Lessons from Ukraine have shown how gaming technology can train drone operators and develop the rapid decision-making skills essential for modern warfare.” Sandler-Jones is the Minister for Veterans and People.
In Ukraine’s military, there is a popular “esports-style drone-attack rewards system,” which extends to other parts of the military. The system, which began over a year ago, rewards military units that score successful drone strikes with points to exchange for additional weapons. Also, Ukraine’s military also trains using virtual drone simulators. By September 2025, over 18,000 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded by Ukrainian forces. The Ukrainian army also reportedly used the Steam Deck as a remote controller for a machine turret.
