Nova Open Tabletop Wargaming Convention

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Nova Open Tabletop Wargaming Convention

The NOVA Open is one of the largest Tabletop Gaming, Hobby, and Arts conventions on the East Coast. The inaugural NOVA Open occurred in August, 2009.

Named for the Northern Virginia area where it is hosted, the NOVA Open is the largest tabletop wargaming convention in the Washington, DC Metropolitan region. The experience was tailored to the needs of the global gaming community based on their feedback. We believe all manner and style of hobbyist can be accommodated and entertained within the same venue and the same events. Whether a hardcore co

mpetitive gamer, or a casual hobbyist simply looking for a few good games, the NOVA Open is designed for you. Numerous Bolt Action, Guild Ball, Malifaux, Warhammer 40,000, X-Wing, Horus Heresy, Lord of the Rings, Warhammer Age of Sigmar, Warmachine/Hordes, X-Wing Armada, Dark Age, Wrath of Kings, Infinity and other wargaming events fill the weekend, along with casual gaming, hobby seminars, the Capital Palette Miniature Art Competition, and a host of evening events ranging from socials to hardcore wargaming! Information on the NOVA Open, tournament rules and the Washington D.C. area can be found on our website. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at [email protected]

05/29/2026

Big shoutout to our friends at Away Games who will be hosting an amazing event this weekend over at Huzzah Hobbies. If you want to get some 40K games in this weekend as you prepare for NOVA make sure to go there and role some dice!

05/28/2026

The pitches are marked. The crowds are roaring. The dice are ready to betray you at the worst possible moment.

NOVA Open 2026 is bringing the mayhem to the gridiron with SEVEN Blood Bowl events across the weekend!

Whether you’re a seasoned coach chasing glory or a fresh recruit ready to risk it all for Nuffle, there’s a place for you on the pitch at NOVA. Expect brutal blocks, impossible plays, legendary touchdowns, and enough chaos to make the referees look the other way.

From competitive showdowns to fan-favorite matchups, this is your chance to lead your team to greatness at one of the biggest tabletop conventions in the country.

Will your players become champions… or end up carried off the field?

Grab your team. Pack your dice. Praise Nuffle!

05/25/2026

Today, on this day of remembrance, we at the NOVA Open ask that you take a moment to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

Their courage, sacrifice, and dedication to something greater than themselves will never be forgotten. Because of them, we are able to gather as communities, share in the hobbies we love, and enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted.

This Memorial Day, we remember those who gave everything.

May we continue to honor their legacy not only today, but every day.

Gone, but never forgotten.

05/24/2026

The starfighters are launching once again at the NOVA Open 2026.

Pilots from across the galaxy will gather this September for the Star Wars: X-Wing NOVA Open Championship — where Rebel aces, Imperial veterans, daring Scum captains, and agents of the New Republic collide in fast-paced dogfights for supremacy among the stars.

Will you trust in the Force?
Or rely on cold Imperial precision?

From tense trench runs to chaotic asteroid field engagements, every maneuver matters as commanders battle through Swiss rounds and fight for their place in the final cut. Expect cinematic moments, legendary rivalries, and the kind of tabletop action that makes X-Wing unforgettable.

Whether you fly for glory, the credits, or the Empire itself, this is your chance to prove you are the best pilot in the galaxy.

Lock S-foils in attack position.
Charge hyperdrives.
And prepare for battle at NOVA Open 2026.

September 2–6, 2026
Washington, DC

Registration link below and in story.

05/23/2026

The war doesn’t stop when the ground battle ends. As the sun sets over the battlefield, the skies above the NOVA Open 2026 erupt into chaos with Aeronautica Imperialis!

Dogfights, bombing runs, ace pilots, and desperate last stands await as squadrons clash high above the war-torn front lines. Whether you fly for the Imperium, Chaos, or Xenos forces, this is your chance to prove who truly owns the skies.

After fighting over the ground all day, continue the war in the evening and take the battle airborne at NOVA OPEN 2026.

Join us September 2–6 at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC.

More event details and registration info below and in story.

05/21/2026

StarCraft comes to the tabletop at NOVA Open 2026.

Step into the Koprulu Sector and command your forces in this StarCraft miniatures event. Whether you fight for the Terran Dominion, the Zerg Swarm, or the Protoss, this is your chance to bring iconic battles to life on the tabletop.

This event is built for both new and experienced players, with a focus on fast paced gameplay, tactical decision making, and cinematic moments that capture the feel of the StarCraft universe.

Seats are limited, so secure your spot and prepare for war.

05/20/2026

Captain Zelnik of Navis Nobelite will be running the Battlefleet Gothic Tournament at the NOVA Open this year, and we wanted to send out a clarification regarding an error in the recent NOVA Open newsletter.

This event will not be using Battlefleet Heresy rules in any form. The tournament will instead use the official Battlefleet Gothic Remastered / 2010 FAQ ruleset alongside the fan-made “Book of the Void” supplements 1, 2, and 3.

Because BFH rules are not being used, all official fleets as well as the fleets presented in Book of the Void 1–3 will be fully legal for play.

If you have any questions regarding rules, fleet legality, or the event itself, please feel free to reach out in the NOVA Open 2026 event channels.

We apologize for the earlier confusion and appreciate everyone’s understanding. For players who were hoping for a BFH-format event, we still hope you’ll join us for a great weekend of Battlefleet Gothic, competitive play, and community support helping keep BFG alive and thriving.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the NOVA Open!

05/18/2026

Kings of War by Mantic Games is Back at the NOVA OPEN!

This two day, five game tournament will challenge players to command their armies through carefully crafted missions and terrain layouts provided each round by the event organizer. Players will battle using 2,300 point armies, with all lists required to be legal through the official companion platform.

Whether you are a seasoned tournament veteran or a rising general looking to prove yourself, Kings of War at the NOVA Open promises a weekend filled with strategy, intense competition, and epic fantasy battles.

05/15/2026

Artist Spotlight: Kaha!

International award-winning artist KAHA Katarzyna Górska is coming to the all the way from Poland to teach an incredible lineup of hobby classes.

Known for her stunning display work, competition-level painting, and unique artistic style, Kaha brings years of experience from the international miniature painting scene, including Golden Demon success and teaching across Europe.

Her classes at NOVA Open 2026 are designed for hobbyists looking to push their painting skills further, covering advanced techniques, artistic approaches, brush control, textures, color work, and creating miniatures that truly stand out on the tabletop and in the display cabinet.

Whether you’re an experienced painter looking to refine your skills or someone wanting to learn from one of the top international artists in the hobby, these are classes you do not want to miss.

Seats are limited and expected to go quickly.

Check out Kaha’s classes and the full NOVA Open 2026 schedule!

05/14/2026

Steel Rift is coming to the NOVA Open 2026 and we have EIGHT events happening over the weekend — from beginner-friendly build & plays to full-blown competitive tournaments!

Whether you’re looking to learn the game, get your first mechs on the table, or prove you’re the top commander in the Rift, there’s something for everyone this September 2–6 in Washington, DC.

🔥 8 events across the weekend
🔥 Build & Play sessions for new players
🔥 Competitive tournaments
🔥 Massive mech combat
🔥 Narrative-driven battles
🔥 An awesome and growing community

Command towering war machines, battle across shattered landscapes, and fight for control in one of the hottest indie mech wargames around.

Grab your tickets and prepare to enter the Rift at the NOVA Open 2026!

Link in comments and story.

Address

NOVA Open 2025/Aug 27th/Aug 31st 2025; Washington Hilton
Washington D.C., DC
20009

Website

http://novaopen.com/

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