ZLAN 2026: Dates, Format and Everything You Need to Know
It's official: ZeratoR just announced the return of ZLAN for 2026.
In this complete guide, we'll recap everything we know about ZLAN 2026, look back at this legendary competition's history, and most importantly, explain how to not miss a single minute of the show.
What exactly is ZLAN?
If you're new to French Twitch, here's a quick catch-up.
ZLAN (pronounced "Z-LAN") is a multigaming esports competition created by ZeratoR in 2019. The concept? Bringing together around 200 players — half famous streamers, half amateur players drawn at random — to compete in about ten video games over an entire weekend.
What makes ZLAN unique
- The game selection. No Counter-Strike or League of Legends here. ZLAN bets on unusual games, often never played competitively: Worms, Trackmania, Farming Simulator, spelling or mental math challenges... and always a "mystery game" revealed at the last moment.
- The streamer + amateur mix. Anyone can participate through a random draw (and since 2023, through qualifications). Imagine ending up on the same team as your favorite streamer!
- The atmosphere. It's a physical LAN. 200 people in a room, sweat, screams, legendary moments. Not a sterile online tournament.
- The prize pool. Over €52,000 to win in 2025. Not bad for a gaming weekend.
History: 7 editions of organized chaos
Since 2019, ZLAN has built its legend. Here's a recap of each edition:
ZLAN 2019 — The birth
- Location: Arles
- Format: Duo
- Winners: Wingobear & Nykho
- Iconic moment: The spelling test that traumatized everyone
ZLAN 2020 — The Covid edition
- Location: Lyon (delayed to August due to lockdown)
- Format: Duo
- Winners: Skyyart & Slide
- Audience: Peak at 205,000 concurrent viewers
ZLAN 2021 — Switch to trio
- Location: Lyon
- Format: Trio (first time)
- Winners: Team KEK (Khalen, Etoiles, KennyStream)
- Audience: Peak at 250,000 viewers
ZLAN 2022 — Elden Ring in competition
- Location: Lyon
- Format: Trio
- Winners: Team Gools (Leaf, Shuh, Oslo)
- Iconic moment: Zutom (Wordle adaptation) and the surprise carnival game
- Audience: Peak at 325,000 viewers
ZLAN 2023 — First solo edition
- Location: Lyon (Studio 24)
- Format: Solo
- Winner: Lockness06
- Innovation: Introduction of qualifications
ZLAN 2024 — Montpellier enters the game
- Location: Montpellier (Zénith Sud)
- Format: Solo
- Winner: Lockness06 (historic double)
- Surprise game: Fort Boyard challenges
ZLAN 2025 — Return of duo
- Location: Montpellier (Zénith Sud)
- Format: Duo
- Winners: Nykho & Cyqop
- Final: 4-3 against Fumi & SkieS
- Note: Nykho becomes the 2nd two-time winner in history
ZLAN legends
Lockness06 dominated the solo era (2023, 2024). Nykho proved he's just as strong in teams (2019, 2025). If ZLAN 2026 is solo, the rematch is inevitable.
ZLAN 2026: What we know (and don't know)
The certainties
- Official announcement: ZeratoR confirmed ZLAN 2026 via Instagram story
- Probable dates: Mid-May 2026 (ZLAN traditionally takes place in spring)
- Probable location: Zénith Sud in Montpellier (like 2024 and 2025)
- More info: Announced in April 2026
The mysteries
The games. No leaks yet. But we can bet on Trackmania's return (present almost every year), an unlikely surprise game, and an unusual challenge like spelling or mental math.
The prize pool. Probably around €52,000 (stable amount for several years).
How to participate?
If you want to try your luck as an amateur player:
- Follow announcements from ZeratoR on Twitter and Twitch
- Qualifications usually a few weeks before the event
- Random draw for remaining spots
How to follow ZLAN 2026 without missing anything
A whole weekend of competition, dozens of streamers, multiple points of view... That's a lot to follow. Here's how to organize.
Official streams
- ZeratoR: The main stream with official casting
- ZQSD Productions: Sometimes a multi-cam or behind the scenes
Participant POVs
Many participating streamers broadcast their own point of view. If your favorite creator participates, you can experience ZLAN through their eyes.
The problem: not missing anything
ZLAN is 3 intense days. It starts early, ends late. And between main streams, replays, iconic moments... hard to catch everything if you're not in front of your screen 24/7.
With Notilive, you configure personalized alerts:
- Notification as soon as ZeratoR starts the ZLAN stream
- Alert when your favorite streamer goes live during the event
- No more checking Twitch every 5 minutes
Native Twitch notifications are known for their delays (or no-shows). With Notilive, you get the alert right when it starts. You can literally put down your phone and live your life — you'll be notified.
FAQ — ZLAN 2026
Exact dates haven't been announced yet. Historically, ZLAN takes place mid-May. Clues suggest May 14-16, 2026, but it's to be confirmed in April.
Most likely at Zénith Sud in Montpellier, venue for the 2024 and 2025 editions. No change announced yet.
Total mystery. ZeratoR explicitly said the format (solo, duo, or other) remains secret. Bets are open.
On Twitch, mainly on ZeratoR's channel. Many participants will also stream their point of view. To not miss the start, set up a notification with Notilive.
Half of participants are invited streamers. The other half are amateur players, selected through qualifications or random draw. Registrations usually open a few weeks before the event.
Registration is free for randomly selected players. However, accommodation and transport are on you.
Conclusion: ZLAN 2026 is going to be huge
With 7 editions under its belt and audience records broken every year, ZLAN has become the unmissable French esports event. ZeratoR created something unique: a competition where amateurs can challenge pros, on games nobody expected.
ZLAN 2026 promises its share of surprises. Mysterious format, unpredictable games, and inevitably iconic moments we'll rewatch for months.
Take back control of your Twitch notifications. Never miss a stream again. Promise.
About Notilive
Notilive is the ultimate app for Twitch fans. No more late or missed Twitch notifications. Create your own custom alerts, based on your favorite streamers or games.
