Nova Open Tabletop Wargaming Convention

A huge thank you to our Premium Sponsor, Redgrassgames , for their continued support of the artists and hobby community at the NOVA Open.

Their team recently sent us an incredible collection of swag for our Super NOVA, Dwarf NOVA, and Art First bags, along with several of their painting lights, like the one pictured here being used by the amazing .adept during one of his classes.

Support like this goes a long way toward making the NOVA Open art program possible. From helping us reward attendees to providing painters with high quality tools and resources, Redgrass Games continues to invest in growing the miniature painting community.

If you've never checked them out, they're also the creators of the Painter's Arsenal Card Boosters, a fantastic learning resource filled with painting techniques, color theory, and creative exercises that help painters develop new skills and keep improving.

Thank you again to everyone at Redgrass Games for believing in what we're building at the NOVA Open and for your continued support of the arts. We are proud to have you as part of the NOVA family.

Don't just attend the NOVA Open. Stay where the entire convention comes to life.

The Washington Hilton is more than just the venue. It's the heart of NOVA Open 2026. From early morning hobby classes to late night gaming, you'll be just steps away from everything happening all weekend long.

NOVA Open is proud to be one of the last major tabletop gaming conventions still hosted entirely in a hotel. That means your room isn't across the street or a shuttle ride away. It's an elevator ride from your next tournament, seminar, painting class, or late night game with friends. That unique hotel convention experience is something that's becoming increasingly rare, and it's part of what makes NOVA Open so special.

When you stay on site, you get:
• Walk to your next event in minutes
• Take a break in your room between games and seminars
• Spend more time with friends instead of commuting
• Be part of the after hours gaming, hobby discussions, and unforgettable convention moments
• Access the exclusive NOVA Open hotel rate of just $199 per night plus tax

Every year, our hotel block fills quickly, and once it's sold out, that's it. Don't be the person scrambling to find a room miles away while everyone else is still rolling dice, painting miniatures, and making memories in the lobby.

Reserve your room today through the link in our story and comments, and make the Washington Hilton your home for NOVA Open 2026.

We'll see you this September!

The NOVA Open is proud to welcome Africa Mir - Artist to the NOVA family as the Capital Palette Director for 2026.

Africa is one of the most accomplished and respected artists in the miniature hobby today, and we could not be more excited to have her leading the Capital Palette. Her passion for the hobby, commitment to artistic excellence, and dedication to growing the miniature painting community make her the perfect person to help guide one of the premier miniature art competitions in the world.

Please join us in giving Africa a warm NOVA Open welcome.

Africa Mir is the Lead Sculptor and Art Director at Verko's Vault Museum of Miniatures in Las Vegas, where she leads the museum's artistic direction, oversees production, and directs the development of the museum's original miniature lines.

She studied Fine Arts and began her career as a freelance concept artist and graphic designer, later expanding into both the video game and tabletop gaming industries. Her work spans board games, role-playing games, collectible miniatures, and digital entertainment.

Throughout her career, Africa has worked with internationally recognized companies including Big Child Creatives and CMON Games, and served as Head of Production and Lead Sculptor at Kimera Models and Pegaso Models, where she led sculpting teams and managed the production of high end collectible miniatures.

An internationally respected sculptor, Africa is a regular judge at many of the world's most prestigious miniature competitions. She has earned numerous international awards, including multiple Gold Medals, in recognition of her sculpting excellence and contributions to the miniature art community.

Her work is characterized by a commitment to craftsmanship, storytelling, and artistic innovation. Through her sculptures, commercial work, and leadership at Verko's Vault Museum of Miniatures, she continues to advance and elevate miniature art as a serious artistic discipline around the world.

The sands of the arena await.

Arena Rex returns to the NOVA Open 2026 with three incredible events that let you experience one of the most cinematic and tactical miniature games on the market. Whether you're picking up your very first gladiator or competing for glory, there's an event for you.

Arena Rex: Build, Learn & Play

Brand new to Arena Rex? This is the perfect introduction. Visit the Arena Rex booth, pick up your first gladiators, then join this event to build your models and learn the game with guidance from experienced players. Hobby supplies are provided, and no prior experience is required.

Arena Rex: Bacchanalia 2026

Take to the arena in this exciting four round event featuring Arena Rex 2.0, unique event rules, and wild new scenarios. With three gladiators per roster, every match is packed with cinematic action. New players are welcome, and loaner models will be available if you need them.

Arena Rex: Circus Maximus 2026

Think you have what it takes to become champion? Circus Maximus is Arena Rex's premier competitive tournament. Command your Ludus through four rounds of intense mythical gladiatorial combat, outwit your opponents, and fight your way to the top. Earn the glory, the admiration of the crowds of Rome, and the honor of claiming first place.

Whether you're learning the ropes, battling through chaotic scenarios, or competing for the championship, Arena Rex has something for every hobbyist at NOVA Open 2026.

Register today and enter the arena.

Yesterday evening, we sent part of the team to the hardware store to acquire more wood so we could keep building the mat carts. As you can clearly see, Kyron was having the time of his life.

We’re also proud to report that the team only purchased one item that wasn’t on the approved shopping list.

So… sorry, Jess. 😅

A huge thank you to the Lorton team for coming out today on another hot and humid day to tackle the behind-the-scenes work that keeps this convention running. While attendees only see the finished product, there’s an incredible amount of work that happens months in advance to make NOVA Open possible.

Today’s mission was…

[REDACTED by order of the Holy Ordos of the Inquisition]
Unauthorized disclosure of classified convention preparations is punishable by immediate investigation for heresy.
Please refrain from posting photos of ongoing projects without prior approval or before the official reveal schedule.

Signed,
██████
Imperial Date: 0.526.026.M3
The Emperor Protects.

While we can’t show you exactly what we worked on today, we promise you’ll get to see it at NOVA Open—and we’re incredibly excited to finally unveil it. We think it’s going to be something special, and we can’t wait to share it with all of you when the time is right.

We truly couldn’t do this without the dedication of our volunteers. Every box packed, every project assembled, and every task completed brings us one step closer to welcoming thousands of gamers, artists, hobbyists, and families this September.

Thank you for giving up part of your weekend to help bring NOVA Open to life. We appreciate every one of you, and we’re one step closer to another incredible convention.

The Emperor Protects… and the volunteers make sure the convention opens on time.

Malifaux is back at the NOVA Open, and this year it’s bigger than ever.

We’re teaming up with our friends at Wyrd Games to bring you 7 incredible Malifaux events across the weekend, whether you’re looking to learn the game, jump into a campaign, sharpen your skills, or battle it out in the Tyrant Tournament.

This year’s Malifaux lineup includes:

• Cooperative Malifaux Campaign: An Introduction
• Cooperative Malifaux Campaign: An Artist in the Alleys
• Madcap Match
• Malifaux PvP Campaign: An Introduction
• Malifaux PvP Campaign: Clash Near the Knotwoods
• Cheat Fate – A Malifaux Seminar
• Malifaux NOVA Tyrant Tournament

Whether you’re a longtime Fate deck veteran or Malifaux-curious and looking for the perfect way to jump in, we’ve got something on the schedule for you.

Come throw down in the streets, survive the schemes, and see why Malifaux continues to be one of the most unique and exciting games in tabletop.

Check out the full schedule and grab your tickets before these events fill up.

Meet the Capital Palette Judges.

This year, Head Judge Erik Swinson and Capital Palette Director .mir_sculpture have assembled an incredible team of world class artists to help lead and judge the Capital Palette at NOVA Open 2026.

We are beyond excited to welcome this talented group to the team and to the NOVA family. Each of these artists brings an exceptional level of skill, experience, and a reputation for excellence in the hobby. Their talent, eye for detail, and passion for miniature art will help make this year’s Capital Palette an unforgettable showcase of creativity and craftsmanship.

Stay tuned as we introduce the judges who will help make Capital Palette 2026 something truly special.

The best place to experience the NOVA Open isn’t just at the tables. It’s at the hotel where everything is happening.

The Washington Hilton is the home of NOVA Open 2026, and staying on site means you’re never missing the action. Roll out of bed and head straight to your next game, seminar, hobby class, or event. No rideshares, no DC commute, no missing the late night moments everyone talks about after the convention is over.

Your hotel room becomes your HQ for the weekend:
• Quick access to events all day
• Easy breaks between games and seminars
• More time with friends, gaming, and hanging out in the lobby
• Exclusive NOVA Open rate of $199 per night plus tax

When the event day turns into late night gaming, hobby talk, and “just one more round,” you’ll be glad your room is only an elevator ride away.

Rooms in the NOVA Open hotel block do not last forever, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Book now through the link in our story and comments, and lock in your stay at the center of NOVA Open 2026.

You asked, and we listened.

The NOVA Open team has been working with our Narrative event organizers behind the scenes, and we’re excited to announce that new Narrative event tickets are now live.

First up, we’re bringing back an old favorite: SPEC OPS returns to the NOVA Open for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. If you’ve been waiting for the chance to jump back into one of NOVA’s most beloved Narrative experiences, this is it.
But that’s not all.

Working with the Narrative team, we’ve also expanded event space across the existing Narrative offerings to make room for more players. That means more opportunities to get in on the action, more room for your armies and stories to hit the table, and more chances to be part of the incredible Narrative community that helps make NOVA so special.

Yes, that includes Warlord.

So if an event was full, if you were sitting on the waitlist, or if you were waiting to see what else might be added, now is the time to take another look. The new tickets are live, the additional space is open, and we expect spots to move quickly.
Grab your tickets, muster your forces, and get ready to tell your story at NOVA Open 2026.