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Golden Demon Returns – SPIEL Essen to Host the Legendary Painting Competition Once Again in 2026

Grab your brushes and get your paints ready, because we have fantastic news for all the miniature artists out there: We are thrilled to announce that the European edition of the prestigious Golden Demon will once again take place as part of SPIEL Essen this year! This turns our fair into the central meeting point for the world’s best miniature painters, who will present their artwork in Essen to a top-class jury, an enthusiastic audience, and the entire community.

A Highlight of Our Events

Since 2024, the Golden Demon has been firmly rooted in Essen and has quickly become one of the emotional highlights of the fair. Around 1,000 entries are presented each year and admired by visitors throughout the event. The climax is the award ceremony on our large new stage in Hall 4. In 2025, the response was overwhelming – every seat was taken, and countless spectators followed the ceremony standing up. The atmosphere was simply electric as the artists were wildly cheered for their incredible achievements. It is exactly this sense of community and passion for the hobby that we want to bring back to the stage with you this year.

Fresh Inspiration from AdeptiCon

We caught a glimpse of the current artistic standard just last weekend at the American edition of Golden Demon at AdeptiCon. This year, David Arroba secured the coveted "Slayer Sword Winner" title with a breathtaking piece of work. But the miniatures in all other categories are also absolutely impressive. The fantastic entries from the incredibly talented artists shown there are ramping up the anticipation for what awaits us in the Essen exhibition halls this October.

Your Chance in Essen

Now, the eyes of the hobby world are turning toward Europe and directly to us in Essen. All artists – from rising talents to seasoned professionals – are invited to bring their miniatures to SPIEL in October and enter the competition. It is the perfect opportunity to meet the community, be inspired by the masterpieces displayed in the glass cases, and perhaps even make history yourself.

Further details regarding registration, categories, and the exact submission times for Golden Demon at SPIEL Essen 2026 will be published shortly on our website. Get ready – we can’t wait to see your masterpieces in person!

What is the Golden Demon?

The Golden Demon is the world’s most significant and prestigious competition for painting miniatures from the worlds of Warhammer. For decades, it has been considered the absolute gold standard in the scene. Artists from all over the world often invest hundreds of hours into a single figure to win one of the coveted trophies. The highest honor of the competition is the Slayer Sword, which is awarded to the most outstanding entry of the entire competition and is regarded as one of the most honorable accolades in the miniature world.