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 customerservice@novaopen.com

04/25/2026

3rd Edition Bolt Action Tournament – NOVA Open

We’re excited to welcome Bolt Action back to the NOVA Open. It’s great to have this iconic game returning to the event, and we’re looking forward to an incredible showing from the community.

Join us for a full day of Bolt Action (3rd Edition) competitive play. Whether you’re a seasoned commander or looking to test your skills on a larger stage, this is your chance to be part of one of the premier tabletop events in the country.

Army Requirements:

1100 points maximum
20 Order Dice (OD) maximum
Armies must use 3rd Edition books and Minor Nation PDFs

Event Details:

3 rounds, each lasting 2 hours
Missions will be announced on the day of the event

Bring your best list, face off against top players, and help celebrate the return of Bolt Action at the NOVA Open.

04/24/2026

New event just added.

The Close Combat Open Play Event returns to the NOVA Open for its fourth year, bringing you straight to the front lines with Design Team Ember’s newest miniature war game,

Join designers Jon Chang and Michale Durao as they run live demos of NearPresent and host open play for their acclaimed This is your chance to get hands-on with the system, learn directly from the creators, and see how modern warfare evolves on the tabletop.

Experience a war-torn world shaped by extreme weather, where commandos fight alongside robots and drones to build a fully interlinked kill web across the battlefield. Get an exclusive first look at new models and mechanics before they hit wider release.

Stop by, roll some dice, and see what’s next in tabletop wargaming.

04/22/2026

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.

04/21/2026

izzy_painting_studio

“I am incredibly honored to have the chance to teach again at NOVA open. I love this convention and I want to be part of a discourse of hope and understanding. This hobby saved my life and gave me purpose many years ago.

In the current times we live in, we need to be more united and help each other, create community and support.
I really hope to see you this year in one of my classes and have the honor to teach you something valuable.
Thank you so much see you soon.
Link in bio”

04/20/2026

We’re excited to have Jason “Llama” Colbeck () bringing a lineup of beginner → intermediate classes designed to sharpen your skills and push your creativity.

Class Highlights:
• Do More With Less – Master skin tones with a limited palette
• Connect the Dots – Create stunning material effects from leather to NMM

Multiple sessions across the weekend

Whether you’re just getting started or refining your technique, these sessions are packed with practical skills you can take straight to your next project.

Seats will go fast—lock yours in and paint with one of the best!

04/19/2026

Jay Mooers is an illustrator and writer based in Massachusetts, having worked with companies like DC, Universal, Warner Brothers, Dynamite Entertainment, Bethesdia, Cherry Comics, 5finity and Bombidos Productions. He’s worked on franchises such as Star Wars, Super Girl, Green Arrow, Lady Death, Vampirella, Fallout, Daredevil, Hellwitch, Bettie Page, and Chaos. He’s done exclusive artwork for King Kong of Skull Island. He started his own publishing company, Eden Park Tales, with his flagship comic series, Autumn Grey, as well as other novels, children’s books, and comics. He has turned the world he created in his comic series into a new table top RPG called Fae and a miniature skirmish game called Fae Courts, where you are the monster.

Over the weekend of NOVA he will be teaching several classes to include, Character Design and Painting, we study the lights and darks and shapes that make a character take form. Combining this with details and unique features for each character, the students will paint portraits of their unique characters, either created by them, or based on something. At the end of the class, each student will have a completed painting of their character.

Link Below:

04/18/2026

Big thank you to team over at Target Acquired Gaming - TAG for putting in the hard work getting everything ready for the Con!!!!!!

04/17/2026

Battletech is coming in force to the NOVA Open 2026.

We’re talking 56 Battletech events spanning the entire convention. From competitive tournaments to narrative experiences, casual grinder games, and learn-to-play sessions, there is something for every level of player.

Whether you’re a veteran MechWarrior looking to test your skills or brand new and ready to step into the cockpit, NOVA has you covered. Expect large-scale tournaments, unique narrative scenarios, and nonstop action across multiple days of gaming.

The NOVA Open continues to be one of the largest tabletop conventions on the East Coast, bringing together thousands of players for a full weekend of hobby, competition, and community.

Tickets are live now. Secure your spot, plan your schedule, and get ready to drop onto the battlefield.

04/15/2026

We Have Trench Crusade at the NOVA Open

You asked for it, and the universe answered. Trench Crusade is officially coming to the NOVA Open as a narrative event. Step into a story-driven campaign where your games help shape the unfolding conflict, and every battle adds to the larger war effort.

Prepare to march into the mud, steel, and fire as this brutal setting comes to life on the tabletop. Whether you are a veteran of the trenches or stepping into the conflict for the first time, this is your chance to be part of an immersive, evolving story alongside a passionate community.

Expect thematic missions, rich storytelling, incredible hobby displays, and players ready to bring the front lines to life. This is more than just a game, it is an experience you will not want to miss.

Secure your spot and join us in the trenches

Link Below!

04/14/2026

Tickets are now live for our Necromunda events at NOVA Open 2026.

Enter the Underhive. Build your gang. Fight for survival.

Step into the brutal world of Necromunda, where rival gangs clash in the depths of a dystopian hive city, battling for territory, credits, and glory. Every fighter matters. Every decision has consequences. Win or lose, your gang evolves with each game.

Whether you're a seasoned Warhammer veteran or new to the underhive, this is your chance to dive into narrative-driven skirmish combat and carve out your legend.

Gather your gang. Claim your turf. Survive the underhive.

Secure your spot below:

04/13/2026

Join us for our second annual cosplay competition at the NOVA Open 2026

Show off your most creative, detailed, or bold cosplay and take the stage in front of a growing community of hobbyists and fans. Compete for prizes, connect with fellow cosplayers, and have your work captured by professional photographers throughout the event.

Whether you are a seasoned cosplayer or stepping into the spotlight for the first time, this is your chance to be part of one of the East Coast’s largest tabletop conventions, bringing together thousands of attendees for a full weekend of gaming, hobbying, and community.

We cannot wait to see what you bring to the stage

Check out some of the incredible costumes from last year and start planning your next look

Link below!

04/12/2026

After the amazing, successful launch of ticket sales on TTE (link in the comments)

A dozen of our volunteers gathered together for a Lorton Day to start preparing for 2026. We sorted the sets of Monument Pro Acryl paints that will be placed in every classroom, making sure everything is ready for an incredible learning experience.

While one team worked on that, another group broke off to sort and check the various banners that will be spread throughout the convention, helping guide attendees and showcase our sponsors. It’s a lot of behind the scenes work, but it all comes together to make the event run smoothly.

We also spent some time reviewing logistics, organizing materials, and making sure we’re set up to hit the ground running as we get closer to the event. Every small step now makes a huge difference later.

Afterward, we took a well-earned break for some really good Costco pizza and called it a day.

This is just the beginning, there’s a lot more to come, and we’re excited to keep building toward an even bigger and better 2026.

Thank you to all of our volunteers who showed up to help us get started, we truly appreciate it. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue gearing up.

Address

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

Website

http://novaopen.com/

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