Divisional
If the 2026 NXL European Championships proved anything, it was that the depth of European paintball is getting harder to ignore. Across Division 2, Division 3, and Division 4, 84 teams arrived in Dreux chasing a championship, creating a weekend where every level delivered its own compelling story. Despite the impact of the teams that crossed the Atlantic for this event, all eyes were on the Polish programs, many of which earned the respect of the European league all season, and drew newfound attention around the world at-large from this event.
In Division 2, Freedom and Independence arrived from the United States and promptly ran the table. Four wins in prelims were followed by 4 – 0 playoff victories over Alien and Wikingowie Black before a 6 – 2 championship win over Poland’ s ALA Lime.
ALA Lime’ s silver medal, however, was more than a single-event success. The Polish team had already finished fifth at the Czech Cup and ultimately took second in the 2026 European D2 season standings, behind only NR Factory. Poland’ s depth was evident further down the table, with Rage Warsaw fourth and NexXTeaM fifth.
Division 3 provided the clearest demonstration of American strength. Stars and Stripes and Hydra Kidz— both American teams making the trip to France for this event alone— finished first and second. Stars and Stripes went unbeaten and defeated Hydra Kidz 6 – 2 in the final after Hydra had also gone undefeated through prelims.
Yet their presence did not erase the European story. The season championship went to the Netherlands’ Outlaw Kings, who combined second at the Czech Cup with third in France. Toulouse Phoenix and Palm Beach Royals completed the season podium.
Division 4 belonged to Switzerland’ s Fast’ n Deadly Bern, who improved from third at the Czech Cup to first in France, securing the overall European title. Cyprus Paintball Factory Team 2 finished second in both the event and the season.
The message from France was therefore twofold. The age-old tale about American teams can still arrive and dominate remains the same. But Europe has built the depth to make that dominance meaningful. And with Poland celebrating ALA Lime’ s breakthrough alongside the continued rise of Warsaw teams, the European competitive landscape looks deeper than ever.
064 paintball. media magazine