Sunderland host city for first-of-its-kind International Defence Esports Games

Sunderland has been announced as the host city for the inaugural International Defence Esports Games (IDEG), a first-of-its-kind gaming and esports tournament for military personnel. 

After qualifying online, the top eight countries in each of the gaming titles, which includes Call of Duty, will compete over the course of a whole weekend in 2026. 

The first finals will take place at the National Gaming and Esports Arena in Sunderland from 9-11 October, the MOD appointing British Esports to deliver the tournament through UK Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (CSOC).

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Lieutenant General Tom Copinger-Symes, Deputy Commander of CSOC, has been at the heart of the effort to bring the tournament to fruition. He spoke to BFBS Forces News about the collision of the gaming and defence worlds.

"So I don't see it as a direct recruitment play, but I see it as an engagement thing," he said.

"We know that a lot of people don't join defence because they don't have a family member in defence, they don't see a place for them in defence.

"I think gaming is an amazing way to engage, reach out, explain the reality of defence and national security in the modern age."

In London, MOD, esports and senior military representatives from more than 40 countries got together to stress the relevance of gaming to the mental agility demanded by the battlespace of tomorrow.

"What we're talking about is: teamwork over long distances, the ability to work through what I call the 'physical-virtual interface' – so if you're a pilot these days you're working from a head up display as well as the real world. If you're a tank gunner you're working from a screen and the real world," added Lt Gen Copinger-Symes.

Drone piloting, coding and strategy were also addressed.

Chester King, president of the British Esports Federation, said the UK and US are among the more advanced gaming militaries.

"Today's about showcasing that and getting other countries to come on the journey with us because we want healthy competition," he said.

Louise Sandher-Jones, Veterans and People Minister, said: "Lessons from Ukraine have shown how gaming technology can train drone operators and develop the rapid decision-making skills essential for modern warfare.

"The International Defence Esports Games (IDEG) positions Britain at the forefront of this transformation, ensuring our armed forces are prepared for the conflicts of tomorrow."