French esports organisation Team Vitality has temporarily closed its flagship facility, V.Hive, in central Paris after the premises were looted during public demonstrations on 17 October 2026.
While the club confirmed that no staff members or fans were injured during the incident, the break-in resulted in extensive property damage, the destruction of glass vitrines, and the theft of historical competition trophies and IT hardware.
According to an official statement released by the organisation, the V.Hive facility sustained severe property damage as individuals breached the venue during broader street mobilisations. The intruders shattered glass cabinets housing trophies from Team Vitality’s competitive history across multiple game titles while looting computer hardware and gaming peripherals from the venue. Team Vitality confirmed that the facility will remain closed to the public indefinitely while management and local authorities complete a full damage assessment.
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The unrest occurred as nationwide protests over rising living costs and public education underfunding turned violent in central Paris, leading to widespread property damage and looting across commercial districts.
The Esports Radar has reached out to Team Vitality to confirm operational details regarding how the break-in unfolded, updated financial loss estimates, and the anticipated timeline for physical restoration. While the organisation will not give interviews on the matter, it confirmed that it is still assessing the damage and determining the next steps toward reopening its living and working space.
Among the stolen property, community members identified the trophy from the StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026 Counter-Strike 2 tournament, which Team Vitality had won just less than a month earlier.
Addressing the incident from Shanghai where he followed the team competing at VALORANT Champions, Team Vitality Co-founder and President Fabien “Neo” Devide expressed profound personal grief over the vandalism. Devide highlighted that V.Hive was established aiming to be a manifestation of traditional cybercafé culture, designed to foster human connection and grassroots gaming.
Devide said that. since opening, the venue maintained accessible hourly gaming rates of €3.50 despite inflation to ensure young people and modest-income supporters could gather. While affirming the fundamental right to public protest, Devide condemned the looting and destruction of community spaces.
Beyond the immediate financial blow of stolen hardware and property restoration, the abduction of irreplaceable physical trophies represents a symbolic loss for the whole esports culture.
Editor’s Note: Everyone at The Esports Radar is saddened by the incident at V.Hive. Having visited and experienced the venue firsthand, we understand how much of a staple it is for both Team Vitality and the broader esports community. Our platform remains open whenever the organisation wishes to share further updates or commentary.
