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1. Warhammer 40K
2. Age of Sigmar
3. Kill Team
4. Horus Heresy & Legions Imperialis
5. The Old World
6. Necromunda
7. Blood Bowl
I know it's hard to believe considering how focused Games Workshop has been on 11th edition, but today's Big Summer Warhammer Preview 2026 proves that there is life beyond Armageddon. Indeed, the company is now offering even more Warhammer 40K on a platter, the promise of a new Age of Sigmar army, a brand-new Kill Team box set (with space elves riding dinosaurs, for goodness' sake!), Old World goodies, Horus Heresy action, and plenty of other reveals besides all that. Phew - take a deep breath. There's a lot to go over.
To save you time, I'm rounding up the all of the announcements from Big Summer Warhammer Preview 2026 right here. These have been divided into quick summaries across individual sections, all so you can easily skip ahead to the system you're interested in (be that Warhammer 40K, Age of Sigmar, or something else).
Personally speaking, the thing that's seized me by the throat is the return of the Exodites. Longtime Warhammer players, you're not misreading that; the dinosaur-riding Aeldari are back, and they're absolutely badass.
Warhammer 40K
Despite 40K being the talk of the town right now thanks to the arrival of Armageddon (which was very much Christmas come early for fans), the grim darkness of the far future wasn't left behind in the Big Summer Warhammer Preview. Here's a full roundown of what we got.
New starter sets
As expected, a slate of beginner boxes are on the way for Warhammer 40K. However, these don't follow the previous structure – instead, there's one massive Starter Set with what look to be two Combat Patrols (Orks and Space Marines, both drawn from the Armageddon box set) alongside a wealth of unpainted terrain. However, if that's not your jam (you just want one of the factions or already have terrain), you can get individual Ork or Space Marine starter kits with a Combat Patrol alongside some paints. Finally, there's a smaller, more affordable Introductory Set which includes a handful of Space Marines and Orks – all with new poses, by the way – in addition to paints.
New Ork Codex and models
The greenskins get the first Codex for 40K 11th Edition, and it feels like it's going to be the definitive version of the book. All the rules here are useable in every type of game, and there are 15 Detachments to try as well. Alongside this tome, a brand-new Mek and Trukk were shown off. More miniatures will apparently drop in the not-so-distant future, so keep an eye out.
New terrain (both painted and unpainted)
What's a new edition without some scenery to fight over? An all-new set of ruins and sci-fi machinery is on the way, available separately or together (all unpainted). Don't fancy painting all that? A mega-sized, pre-painted box set called "Battlefield" is on the way too.
Age of Sigmar
It seems that the legends were true! After months of rumors, the Ogor Mawtribes have finally been revamped for Age of Sigmar. This update has been a long time coming; it remakes and revitalizes models that are, in some cases, decades old. Here's what's on the way.
- Army Set: Our first chance to try these gluttonous brutes out will be via the boxed set, much like the one we saw from the Helsmiths of Hashut last year. It features the Battletome rules book, data cards for use in-game, Glutton footsoldiers, Ironguts elites, Maulfiend cavalry, and a Tyrant to lead them.
- New heroes: Following the launch of the Army Set, we can look forward to a host of hero characters for the faction. These include the Cleavers (who seem to do exactly what they say), the shamanic Gutseers, and a remade Butcher who's more or less a wizard chef. These are all led by Redd the Maw, High Slaughtermaster. He's basically an Ogor priest who rides to war on top of a massive, body-filled cauldron.
Kill Team
OK, who had "dinosaur-riding space elves" on their bingo list for the Big Summer Warhammer Preview? I certainly didn't.
Yep, the Aeldari Exodites are back in a big way with the latest Kill Team box set. Warhammer old-timers like myself may remember these guys fondly, but if they aren't ringing a bell, they're basically an offshoot faction with a penchant for riding space dinos that exist in pockets of idyllic nature... and really don't like when anyone comes knocking.
I was expecting an all new season of Kill Team with a fresh Kill Zone plus terrain (surely we're due one soon?), but this box set is more of a one-off. Actually, it's very similar to Kill Team: Terror on Devlan because we'll be facing off against non-player foes in a solo or co-op campaign.
The enemies the Exodites are crossing swords with are Ork Beastsnaggas - in essence, a group of hunters who landed on an Exodite world and decided to set up shop hunting down all the animals that live there. These greenskins seem even more ragtag than usual, wearing animal skins or furs and riding raving squigs.
Horus Heresy & Legions Imperialis
We're going back to the Custodes in the Age of Darkness, because a handful of old kits are getting multi-part plastic models for Horus Heresy. To be precise, the Gyrefalcon Jetbike Sodality is gliding into war alongside the absurdly filigreed (but really rather imposing) Telemon Dreadnought. Because Custodes are a truly elite group that can't be fielded en-mass due to their prowess, the Pallas Grav-Attack tank is being added to the lineup. This should keep your golden warriors safe as they march slowly but surely across the battlefield.
As for Legions Imperialis, it was all about Titans... which are now resplendent in plastic. First up is the ridiculously massive Warlord Titan, followed by the smaller, nimbler Reaver Titan. These can be armed with a devastating variety of weapons like a Volkite Destructor or Graviton Obliterator.
Speaking of Legions, I wonder if we're far off a new box set? We must be getting close to an update for the core game; the original Legions Imperialis starter set dropped back in 2023, so we're right on track for a three-yearly update that Games Workshop typically sticks to.
The Old World
If you've wanted to try Warhammer The Old World but felt put off by its scale (there's usually a lot of infantry to paint after all), publisher Games Workshop hears you – it just announced a new core set.
This new Warhammer The Old World Core Set features everything you need to play; besides a revised rule book, dice, range rulers, and a battlemat, two armies are included; a totally revamped Warriors of Chaos force with all-new models alongside models from the recent Cathay range, which did a lot to convince us to get into The Old World this time last year. A lot of attention is gonna be paid to those new Chaos models, however, and rightly so; they are beyond imposing.
These will be joined before long by a new, massive Lord on Chaos Dragon that you can also make as a Sorcerer on double-headed monster. It's a pretty jaw-dropping model.
Necromunda
If you had a suspicion Necromunda was due a new core set (it's been a while since Necromunda Hive Secundus dropped, after all), give yourself a gold star; a fresh entry-point for the game was shown off during the Big Summer Warhammer preview. Besides kickstarting a new edition, "Necromunda Skirmish" is being pitched as a beginner-friendly way into the game with the core rules, an underhive battlefield, and two new gangs to take control of – the Escher Blades of the Matriarch and the Goliath Forge Smelters. These guys feel like the '80s vomited all over Mad Max, and I love it.
A box set of terrain will also drop alongside Necromunda Skirmish, providing you with more underhive scenery if you want to make your table feel properly grungy.
Blood Bowl
Seeing as we only just got a new edition of the game, it was pretty light on updates for this fantasy football extravaganza. To be precise, we received a new pitch board to go with some beefy players to bolster Chaos teams – Skaven Rat Ogres and Minotaurs. Also making his appearance for the first time in plastic is the most iconic Blood Bowl player of them all, Morg ‘n’ Thorg. He'll play for almost any team, so you can outfit the model with pieces to reflect that shifting allegiance.
Live updates
Ready for some reveals, gang? The Big Summer Warhammer Preview Show 2026 is about to begin. GamesRadar+ Tabletop Editor and lifelong Warhammer nerd Benj here, ready to chat about everything the stream has in store for us.
What are you hoping for?
What are you looking forward to? Is there anything in particular that you're excited about? Personally speaking, I can't wait to see what Kill Team's next instalment has in store. It's roughly time for a new Kill Zone, and I'm crossing my fingers that we get a jungle theme. The game could do with more wild terrain pieces, and an alien forest would do the job nicely. Plus, it'd be a great excuse to redo those old, old Catachan Jungle Fighter models...
Will we get new Orks or Space Marines? A Codex for one is guaranteed
It's not entirely clear yet whether we'll see reinforcements for the new Ork or Space Marine factions yet, or whether they'll be reserved for the aftermath of the Death Mire campaign (this is a worldwide event where you submit the results of your battles for Warhammer 40K 11th Edition). We were promised that the victors would get to see new goodies for their faction, after all...
New 40K Starter Sets, inbound!
OK, the live show is go! First up, Warhammer 40K. Things are kicking off with a brand-new Starter Set for the 11th Edition of the game, featuring Combat Patrols for both Orks and Space Marines (e.g. a good chunk of the Armageddon box set) alongside terrain and everything you need to play.
Look out, there are smaller 40K starter sets too
We're not done with Warhammer 40K beginner boxes quite yet! If you just want the Orks or Space Marines and don't fancy grabbing both (or the terrain), you can get a box set for either one with the Combat Patrol, some paints, and tools included.
There's also a smaller Introductory Set with a smaller selection of models and some paints. These feature new Space Marine Intercessor sculpts and Ork Boyz, also with new poses.
Terrain, as far as the eye can see
Hey, did you spot the terrain in that Starter Set? Well, you can either pick those pieces up separately and unpainted in individual sets (with the ruined buildings or sci-fi equipment sold separately), or as part a fancy-pants, pre-painted terrain box set. This is called "Battlefields" and features all of the above for an Incursion-sized match, but ready-painted. These come on sprues and must still be assembled, but at least you don't need to slave away painting it all.
It's time for some WAAAAGH, because a new Ork Codex and models are on the way
The first Codex isn't Space Marines, as I'd expected! No, Orks have that honor instead. This will be accompanied by a host of miniatures, the first of which is a fresh Mek (the greenskins' engineer, basically) and an incredible new Trukk. This thing is so, so full of character; it feels like Mad Max crossed with something from Wacky Racers.
That's not it, though; more is apparently on the way, following the worldwide Death Mire campaign I mentioned earlier.
A new way into Warhammer
Looks like there's a new way into the Warhammer hobby! Welcome to the Warhammer Academy, a beginner-friendly site to learn everything you need to know about Warhammer. This will launch alongside the aforementioned Warhammer 40K starter sets.
Chaos falls upon the Old World with a new core set
We're now diving headlong into fantasy with The Old World - the mass-battle system that sees you fielding enormous hordes on the battlefield. First up is an all-new core box with everything you need to play: the core rules and two armies to battle with. Those forces are Cathay vs. an all-new range for Warriors of Chaos. We've already seen Cathay's lineup, but Chaos? Those are new. These heavily-armored behemoths are incredibly imposing, and my goodness, are they good-looking. We've come a long, long way from those mono-pause dark knights from the '80s.
This will be followed by a Lord on Chaos Dragon, which is simply enormous. This thing towers over the field and can be built as a Sorcerer on two-headed Chaos dragon if you'd prefer. No matter which version you choose, you can have either the Lord or Sorcerer on foot as an extra.
Time for kickoff
It's time for a brief break in the world of Blood Bowl now. Alongside a new Sevens pitch, some individual big-hitters you can add to your Chaos-themed teams - Minotaurs and Rat Ogres - are inbound.
For the Emperor, Custodes are inbound
We're on a whistle-stop tour to the Age of Darkness, and it's time for the Custodes to shine in this year's Big Summer Warhammer Preview. Previous resin models have been remade as multi-part plastic miniatures, namely the Gyrefalcon Jetbike Sodality and the very impressive, very filigreed Telemon Dreadnought. These are backed up by the Pallas Grav-Attack, which should be able to keep your rather expensive, veteran troops safe.
The Ogor Mawtribes are stomping their way to Age of Sigmar
Well, it looks like the rumors were true! A revised, refreshed version of the Ogor Mawtribes are on the way to Age of Sigmar, and it's a much-needed revamp for some models that are a couple of decades old. Because the old ones were designed for Fantasy, they were a bit limited in posing because they had to rank up - but not now. The result is some very dynamic posing.
We'll get our first crack at these guys with the Ogor Mawtribes Battleforce, a bit like the box the Helsmiths of Hashut got last year; it contains many of the new miniatures for the range, not to mention stat cards and the Battletome. In terms of models, the lineup includes my personal favorite, the Maulbeast riders (Raiders or Cavalry). They look like something from Star Wars, and I really wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of those massive jaws.
This box will be followed by a variety of hero units like the Cleavers, Gutseers, and a remade Butcher that is basically a cross between chefs and wizards. These will be led by Redd the Maw, High Slaughtermaster; this Ogor priest rides into battle atop a huge, gore-filled cauldron.
A fresh entry-point to Necromunda
Ready for some post-apocalyptic gang-action? Necromunda is getting a facelift with an all-new core box called "Necromunda Skirmish." This feels like Cyberpunk meets Mad Max meets Fallout in the best way, with two new rag-tag gang alongside the core rules, some terrain, a board, and accessories. You'll choose between the Escher Blades of the Matriarch group that look as though they've walked out of the '90s and the more robotic Goliath Forge Smelters.
Aeldari riding dinosaurs for Kill Team? Um, yes please!
Oh my goodness, it's happening! The new Kill Team box set brings us the long-awaited return of Aeldari Exodites. These are basically space elves riding dinosaurs, and lemme tell you, I'm in love. These are an absolutely elite group; there are only three of them, accompanied by a few dino pets that come along for the ride.
These will be going up against Orks Beastsnaggas, a group trying to take advantage of a world of monsters they're very keen to hunt. These are non-player operatives that can be used within a larger campaign you can play solo or with a friend.
And that's it!
And that's it - we're at time! The show has come to a close, and phew, it was crammed with goodies this time around.
Now that the dust has settled, what was your favorite announcement? Personally, I was all about the Kill Team: Exodite box set. Aeldari riding dinosaurs? Damn, I'm so in. I'm already looking forward to painting these guys up.
Now, I can hear you already: where were the Ork bikes and all the other new 40K miniatures we know are on the way? These are presumably going to be shown off in full following the worldwide Death Mire campaign, which pits Orks vs. Space Marines and will be decided by the outcome of the community's weekly matches. Whichever side is victorious will get a whole bunch of miniatures shown off, so we just need a little patience on that front.
Ok, I'm calling it there! Thanks for following along with me - I hope you've had fun, because I'm feeling pretty jazzed about all these new releases.
I've just gone back through the announcements and made sure the summaries are all up to date, so now you've got bite-size breakdowns of everything shown off for the Warhammer Big Summer Preview. Got a favorite announcement? Vote for it below!
