Vitality HQ Vandalized in Paris, CS2 Trophy May Have Been Stolen

Team Vitality's headquarters in Paris was broken into and looted on Saturday, October 17, amid widespread protests across France. V.Hive, which houses the organization's Counter-Strike 2 operations and other esports divisions, as well as a space open to the public, suffered smashed windows, damaged equipment, and stolen merchandise.

The incident happened on the same day that Vitality's VALORANT roster secured a place in the VALORANT Champions 2026 Grand Final in Shanghai. Fabien "Neo" Devide, the French organization's co-founder and CEO, expressed his distress in a social media post.

What Happened at Team Vitality's V.Hive?

Videos shared on X show shattered windows and gaming chairs being thrown onto a fire outside V.Hive. Reports also describe damage to the store and looting of merchandise, including jerseys and gaming peripherals.

There is also speculation surrounding the StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026 trophy, which Vitality won on September 20 after defeating Aurora in the final. Footage circulating on social media appears to show people holding up one of the organization's trophies, raising concerns that it may have been taken during the break-in. Vitality has not officially confirmed that the StarSeries trophy was stolen.

Located on Boulevard de Sébastopol, V.Hive covers approximately 400 square meters and includes Vitality's offices, a gaming area, a café, a store, and a training space. A venue manager said on social media that the site was closed to both staff and visitors when the incident occurred. No injuries were reported.

"For those asking, no one was injured. The venue was closed to both the public and staff.

Thank you all for your messages, support, and love.

V.Hive will rise from the ashes, just as Vita always has.

Thank you all, and take care of yourselves. ❤️"

Vitality CEO Reacts to V.Hive Vandalism

In his statement, Fabien "Neo" Devide recalled that V.Hive grew out of his own experience with gaming cafés. He said the goal had always been to create an accessible meeting place for esports fans, with gaming sessions priced at €3.50 per hour, a rate he said had remained unchanged since the venue opened.

Devide said he had just experienced a dreamlike moment watching Vitality's performance in Shanghai, only to see "a part of myself go up in smoke" thousands of kilometers away in Paris. He also defended the right to protest while condemning vandalism and looting.

"It's worth remembering that V.Hive was born from the dream of a child who grew up discovering and falling in love with esports in internet cafés, back when having internet at home was still too expensive.

Since we opened, gaming sessions have cost €3.50 per hour. That's no coincidence. We've always wanted teenagers and people with limited incomes to have an affordable place to play, meet up, and share their passion. Despite inflation, we've never raised our prices.

V.Hive is also a symbol of how far we've come. It represents our desire to show that esports isn't just something that happens behind a screen. It brings people together, creates opportunities to connect, builds memories, and strengthens human bonds.

I've just lived what felt like a waking dream with our performance in Shanghai, and today, thousands of kilometers away, I'm watching a part of me go up in smoke.

The right to protest is a fundamental freedom that I will defend for the rest of my life. I'm grateful to everyone who stands up for what they believe in. But looting and destruction should never have a place in those struggles.

Tonight, I'm simply heartbroken."

Why Are People Protesting in France?

The demonstrations gained momentum after students protested teacher shortages and conditions in public schools. The movement expanded to include trade unions and people concerned about the rising cost of living, wages, and the state of public services.

According to the Associated Press, hundreds of thousands of people took part in demonstrations across France on Saturday. Most protests were peaceful, but clashes with police, fires, and looting were reported in Paris and other French cities.

Authorities have not publicly identified those responsible for the V.Hive break-in, and no official estimate of the damage has been released.

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Featured image credit: @Ozzny_CS2/X

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