Squidmar Open 2025 opens entries with major prizes and judges

The Squidmar Open — 2025 has opened its online entry window, giving painters across skill levels a chance to submit work for multiple-category judging and a haul of hobby-grade prizes. Registration and image uploads began December 1, 2025, and the event page lists the final deadline as January 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM Europe/Stockholm, with entries accepted through the end of January.

This year’s structure intentionally covers every common competition pathway: Youngbloods for painters up to 16 years old, Standard for first-time competitors or social entrants, Masters for competition-level entries, Unit/open for squads and warbands, Single for human-sized figures (28/32/54mm with vignettes allowed), Large for anything larger than 54mm scale and over 81mm total height, and Diorama for narrative multi-figure scenes. Squidmar retains a multiple-gold style of judging by level, so several top-tier awards will be handed out within each level and category.

Prizes have tangible value for both new and seasoned painters. Best In Show is listed as a Phrozen Sonic Mighty Revo 16K 3D printer; Best Of Sona, Best Atmosphere and other special awards include Squidmar airbrushes and additional hobby gear. Category prizes span Squidmar airbrushes, Kolinsky brush sets and Strakh kits, among others. Those gear prizes make this event useful for painters looking to upgrade equipment or reward a breakthrough technique.

The judging panel includes established names and educators in the painting community: Roman Lappat, Eons of Battle, Erkka Marttio, Louise Sugden (Rogue Hobbies), Borja Calvo Bertrán de Lis and others, with bios and roles available on the competition page. The panel and prize mix signal that the Open aims to balance teaching-forward feedback with competitive recognition.

Practical entry notes: register via the Entry/Compendium link and upload images of your entries within the stated window. The rules explicitly allow non-GW miniatures, 3D-printed models and historical subjects, so you can enter across modern hobby formats without genre restriction. Pay attention to category sizing rules—Large has specific height and scale thresholds, and Single and Unit entries have different expectations.

For painters ready to polish a showpiece or try competition for the first time, the Squidmar Open 2025 is a clear chance to test skills, earn equipment that reduces GAS, and get visibility judged by respected artists. Finalize your photos, confirm category choices, and register before the January deadline to get your work into the running.