Warhammer Community opens nominations for Warhammer Heroes 2026 recognising grassroots volunteers

Warhammer Community has opened the submission window for Warhammer Heroes 2026, a programme that spotlights grassroots volunteers who keep the hobby running at club level. Nominations opened on January 26, 2026 and are currently being accepted through the published submission period via Warhammer Community's submissions form.

The awards recognise organisers, club leaders, volunteers, fundraisers, and anyone who helps make the hobby welcoming. Nominations are built around personal stories: organisers are asked to explain specific contributions, the impact on their local scene, and why an individual stands out. Past winners have been used as examples to show the range of eligible contributions from running club nights to coordinating charity events and mentoring new players.

Winners receive a Warhammer Heroes medal, placement on the Roll of Honour, and an invitation to attend awards events. Those rewards combine ceremonial recognition with practical benefits for nominees and their communities. A medal and Roll of Honour entry can raise the profile of a club or fundraiser, help attract new players, and serve as a tangible thank-you for often unseen volunteer labour.

For those considering nominations, take a practical approach. Identify the specific problem the nominee addressed - whether it was building a stable weekly group, running inclusive new-player sessions, organising tournaments, or leading a successful fundraiser - and describe measurable or observable outcomes. Include dates, numbers where available, and examples such as attendance growth, funds raised for charity, or the creation of new club infrastructure. Personal anecdotes about mentorship and how someone made the hobby welcoming for newcomers are particularly useful because the programme explicitly invites those stories.

Community organisers can use the awards process as a focal point to consolidate documentation and testimonies. Collect event photos, social posts, and brief statements from players who benefited from the nominee's work. If your club relies on volunteers, consider coordinating nominations so multiple contributors receive recognition rather than a single representative.

Warhammer Heroes 2026 is a reminder that the hobby depends on local effort as much as new box releases. Recognition programmes like this shift attention back to the people running leagues, painting nights, and charity drives. Expect a steady stream of nominations while the window remains open, and prepare submissions that show concrete results and human impact.

What this means for readers is straightforward: if someone in your scene has quietly kept things going, now is the moment to put them forward. A well-documented nomination can turn grassroots labour into community recognition, a medal to hang above a display cabinet, and a place on the Roll of Honour that acknowledges the work that keeps our tables populated and our hobby thriving.