# Florent Code League

> Florent Code League (FCL) is a free Python bot programming competition. Write a bot, put it on a live ladder and see where you rank. FCL 2026 had a €20,000 prize pool and live finals in Stockholm; FCL 2027 is in development.

Florent Code League (FCL) is run by Florent Venture Partners (https://florent.vc).
Players write a Python bot that controls a whole team on a grid map: a Core, the
builder bots it spawns, and the turrets and machines they build. Submitted bots
play rated matches against each other automatically on a live ladder. Destroy the
enemy Core to win.

## Key facts

- Language: Python 3.12 or 3.13
- Teams: solo or up to 4 people
- Eligibility: anyone aged 16 or over, from any country (under 18 needs a parent or guardian's consent)
- Cost: free
- Prizes: €20,000 prize pool in FCL 2026, which ended with live finals in Stockholm in August 2026. Prizes for FCL 2027 have not been announced.
- Status: the ladder is open now; FCL 2027 is in development, with new game mechanics tested in prize sprints first

## Getting started

1. Create a free account: https://code.florent.vc/register
2. Install the CLI: `pip install fcode` (https://pypi.org/project/fcode/)
3. `fcode login`, then `fcode starter` for a starter bot and maps
4. `fcode run starter starter` plays a local match; `fcode watch` opens the replay
5. `fcode submit bots/starter` puts the bot on the ladder

Full docs and tutorials are on the platform after signing in.

## Links

- [Home](https://code.florent.vc/)
- [Sign up](https://code.florent.vc/register)
- [Discord](https://discord.gg/Fe2psrZQ98): announcements, strategy discussion and votes on 2027 ideas
- [fcode on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/fcode/)
- [Terms](https://code.florent.vc/terms)
- [Privacy](https://code.florent.vc/privacy)

## FAQ

### Can I join right now?

Yes. FCL 2026 is over, but the ladder never closed. Create an account, submit a bot, and it starts playing rated matches straight away.

### Who can compete?

Anyone aged 16 or over, from any country. If you are under 18 you need a parent or guardian's consent. FCL is built with university students in mind, but you do not need to be one.

### Is it only for the Nordics?

No. Every team gets two labels based on the majority of its members: Nordic or non-Nordic, and student or non-student. Categories and prizes are built on those labels, so everyone competes on the same ladder.

### What language do I write in?

Python, version 3.12 or 3.13. The starter bot, the tutorials and the fcode CLI are all Python.

### Do I need a team?

No. You can play solo or in a team of up to 4 people.

### Does it cost anything?

No. Entry is free.

### When does FCL 2027 start?

Dates, format and prizes for the 2027 season have not been announced yet. They will be posted on Discord and on this page. Until then, the ladder and the sprints are the best way to get ready.

### Will the game change before 2027?

Yes, on purpose. New mechanics ship as one release with the engine, SDK, docs and changelog updated together, and always at least two weeks before any sprint that tests them.