Rouen win their 11th title.

This 2026 edition will also be marked by the incredible journey of the Boucaniers de La Rochelle. For the first time in their history at the highest level, the Rochelais were playing a Challenge de France final. A major achievement for a club that continues to grow season after season.

In this final, offensive power played a key role. La Rochelle hit two home runs, Rouen one, but the latter hit will have weighed heavily. The walks of Rochelais pitcher Paredes will also have marked the match. At this level of competition, seeing a pitcher throw three walks, including one that will be decisive, remains a rare and costly occurrence.

The choices of the managers will also have strongly influenced the outcome of the match. On the Boucaniers side, Briones took the gamble of not allowing any runs to score throughout the game.

Intentional pitches to dangerous Japanese hitter Ryosuke Nishikawa at the end of the game. A decision immediately followed by a decisive home run. On the other hand, Becquey from Rouen maintained his confidence in his Japanese batter throughout the final, despite the fatigue accumulated by the pitchers used the day before.

Of course, the Buccaneers will leave this final with regrets, especially around these concentration errors that will have weighed heavily. But this adventure could well open up new perspectives. If Rouen were to win the French championship, this finalist place could offer La Rochelle a European ticket for 2027.

The tournament also reserved other major surprises. The elimination in the group stages of the defending champion, Savigny, marked the minds. As for Béziers, semi-finalist this year after its 2025 final, the club confirms that it has a real culture ….

The Challenge de France.

Finally, a big hat tip to Toulouse and Bon-Encontre for organizing this 2026 edition, as well as to the volunteers and officials whose commitment largely contributed to the success of the tournament. And already, the appointment is made for 2027: the Challenge will retain its southern accent with a next edition organized between Montpellier and Béziers.