Golden Demon 2026 Reveals First SPIEL Essen Finalists, Featuring Warhammer 40,000, Necromunda and Duel
Games Workshop's Warhammer Community published the first group of finalists from the European leg of Golden Demon 2026 at SPIEL Essen on November 3. The first installment covers Warhammer 40,000 single miniatures, units or Kill Teams, large miniatures or vehicles, as well as Necromunda and Duel. The company said hundreds of miniatures entered the competition, with artists receiving Gold, Silver and Bronze trophies as well as finalist pins. This is a showcase of the first group of finalists, not a new winners announcement: the main European awards were presented on October 25.
The official post divides the first group into five categories: Warhammer 40,000 – Single Miniature; Warhammer 40,000 – Unit or Kill Team; Warhammer 40,000 – Large Miniature or Vehicle; Necromunda; and Duel. Each section presents images of entries that earned finalist pins. The article does not provide a text list of every artist's name or assign a new ranking to the finalists.
Games Workshop describes a finalist pin as recognition that an entry has reached the finalist stage. It should not be confused with a Gold, Silver or Bronze award. The company also said that a second installment of finalist coverage would follow, featuring categories including Warhammer Age of Sigmar, Diorama and the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game.
The European Golden Demon event took place at SPIEL Essen in Germany from October 22 to 25. Games Workshop's earlier winners announcement covered Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar, The Horus Heresy, The Old World, Middle-earth, Blood Bowl, Necromunda, Epic Scale, Diorama and Duel. It also included the Youngbloods and Open Competition special categories.
French miniature painter Maxime Penaud won the Slayer Sword with his Marneus Calgar entry. The model first took Gold in the Warhammer 40,000 Single Miniature category before being selected from the category winners for the overall prize. Games Workshop said this was Penaud's third Slayer Sword, following earlier wins at Games Day France in 2010 and Warhammer Fest in 2019. That result comes from the October winners announcement and is separate from the finalist gallery released on November 3.
Golden Demon is Warhammer's miniature-painting competition. Games Workshop's explanation of the judging process highlights technical skill, atmosphere, consistency and narrative. The way a model fits into the Warhammer setting, along with the quality of its base and surrounding scene, can help make an entry stand out. The competition does not prescribe one preferred painting style; it looks for strong execution and a clear artistic approach.
SPIEL Essen's event information says the 2026 European competition had 14 main award categories, plus Youngbloods and the Open Competition. Gold-winning entries from the main categories are considered for the Slayer Sword. The Open Competition winner is not eligible for that overall award.
Warhammer Community said the November 3 post is only the first installment. The next group is expected to include Age of Sigmar, Diorama and Middle-earth entries. The company did not give a precise publication date for the next gallery or announce additional award results in the November 3 post. For painters and collectors, the update primarily offers a closer look at selected finalist models and the range of approaches represented in the competition.