Golden Demon - Competition Guide - Golden Demon, Youngbloods and The Open Competition

Oct 7, 2026

Upload by sagouaw

Golden Demon is a Warhammer miniatures painting competition featuring 14 distinct categories with awards for Notable, Commended, and Finalist, and Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Category Gold winners are collectively judged to earn the ultimate prize, the Slayer Sword. Alongside the main event, Youngbloods (ages 12–15) and The Open Competition offer parallel recognition with differing entry scopes. The guide explains judging criteria, entry steps, registration deadlines, desk hours, collection times, and detailed eligibility and handling rules, including production, theme, painting, and submission requirements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLifestyle

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time17 min

AccessFree to download

Competition Overview

Awards and categories

Judges look for

How to Enter

Tickets and registration

Closing date and times

Entry Guidelines

GD2026V1.0 EN Golden Demon is the ultimate Warhammer painting competition. Thousands of entries are received each year from all over the world. Painters ofall levels are invited to submit their best work to claim glory, bragging rights, coveted trophies, and a well-deserved sense of accomplishment in this pinnacle of the miniatures painting hobby. The best-of-the-best at each competition is named the overall winner and presented with the legendary Slayer Sword Whether you’re a veteran Golden Demon painter or it’s your first time at the event, you’ll be sure to see something that blows you away! CONTENTS This guide contains everything you need to know about Golden Demon and its two accompanying contests – Youngbloods and The Open Competition. Over the following pages you will find: • Competition Overview • How to Enter • Entry Guidelines • Category List • Category Descriptions • FAQ COMPETITION OVERVIEW Golden Demon comprises 14 distinct categories, ranging from single miniatures and units, to large dioramas, duels and monsters, vehicles and warmachines. Each of the 14 categories will have awards for: • Notable • Commended • Finalist • Gold, Silver and Bronze Each Gold winning entry in its respective category will then be judged collectively to determine which entry will be awarded the ultimate prize in miniature painting; The Slayer Sword. The winner is then awarded an actual sword. Yes, the winner is awarded with an actual sword. Yes, it’s absolutely epic. Alongside the 14 Golden Demon categories are Youngbloods and The Open Competition. Both of these categories have the same awards structure with Notable, Commended and Finalist pins, and a top three of Gold, Silver and Bronze; but they have some key differences. Youngbloods is specifically aimed towards younger competitors. In fact, you must be 12-15 years old on the day of entry to enter the Youngbloods competition In The Open Competition, anything goes here; single miniatures, busts, larger scale miniatures, Warhammer appropriate custom sculpts and pretty much any other type of entry that doesn’t fit anywhere else. The Open Competition is also where Games Workshop staff are encouraged to enter and compete alongside the public – this is your chance to go head to head with some of the world’s greatest painters and prove your mettle in one of the toughest settings anywhere in the world! What do the judges look for? In all categories the judges look for many different qualities in winning entries. Technical skill, atmosphere, consistency in quality, and narrative are all key components in what makes a winning entry stand out. The painting isn’t just about technical prowess, however, it’s about finding a style and technique that works for you and applying it with care. The judges have no set preference when it comes to style – as long as it looks amazing, there are no rules as to how you go about it. The background and setting is important as well. The judges will be looking at how well the entry fits into Games Workshop’s different worlds and universes – a strong narrative can go a long way towards grabbing the judges’attention. HOW TO ENTER To enter into Golden Demon, Youngbloods orThe Open Competition at Adepticon 2026, you must first purchase your Adepticon Tickets alongside any Golden Demon add-on, which will be available from January 2026 Proof of purchase will be required when entering the competition. To register your entries simply fill out the online entry form. We do recommend completing this form in advance to ensure the smoothest and most efficient entry process, but you will have an opportunity to complete the form at the registration desk if needed. The closing date for registration into all categories for Golden Demon, Youngbloods and The Open Category is 12:00 Local Time, March 28th 2026 REGISTRATION DESK OPENING TIMES March 26th-10:00-18:00 March 27th-10:00-18:00 March 28th

FAQs

What is the ultimate prize in the Golden Demon competition?

Golden Demon Gold winners in their categories are judged collectively to determine the overall winner, who is awarded the Slayer Sword.

How are Youngbloods and The Open Competition different from the main Golden Demon categories?

Youngbloods is for competitors aged 12–15, while The Open Competition allows broader entry types that don’t fit elsewhere, including appropriate custom sculpts and staff participation encouraged.

What are the key entry requirements for miniatures and painting?

Entries must be produced by Games Workshop, be hand painted (not digitally painted or paint printed), be fully built and dry, and be attached to the base/plinth; loose elements are not accepted.

Oct 7, 2026

Upload by sagouaw