A new year is coming, and the stores are going full hype mode. So, they are asking the big hobby question first.
What army are you starting in 2026? However, the article quickly pivots to two global challenges. One pushes your painting output, and the other grows the community.
Challenge One: The Million Miniatures Challenge
The first challenge is called the Million Miniatures Challenge. Additionally, the goal is exactly what it sounds like. They want to see one million painted Warhammer miniatures during the event window. So, you join by going to your local Warhammer store starting January 17th. Then, you pledge to paint 25+, 50+, or 100+ miniatures by May 9th.
The article is very open about what counts. Faction does not matter, and game system does not matter. Additionally, the size of the miniatures does not matter either. So, it is purely about quantity painted. However, it jokes that the count is “extra impressive” if you include massive centerpieces. It name drops Fulgrim, Stompas, and Archaon as the kind of big flex models.
Tracking, Store Posters, and the Prize Ladder
Each pledge gets recorded on a store hub poster. Additionally, you receive a bespoke activity card. So, you write down your commitment and track progress as you go. Then, once you hit milestones, you earn gifts at the Million Miniatures celebration event. That celebration event is on Saturday, May 9th.
The rewards scale with the pledge level. At 25+ miniatures you get a One Million Miniatures pin badge. Additionally, at 50+ you get a purity seal water pot stand. At 100+ you get a paint brush tin. The article also notes the awards are cumulative. Additionally, they are available while stocks last.
Challenge Two: Call to Arms, Bring Someone New Into the Hobby
The article then admits one million minis is a massive number. So, it introduces the second challenge called Call to Arms. This one is about bringing new people into Warhammer. Additionally, it is framed as giving everyone more help to reach the painting goal.
To take part, customers can ask for a double sided tracking card. Then, you earn stickers for bringing a friend or family member to the store. Additionally, you earn more stickers when those referrals buy in. Specifically, if they pick up starter sets for Warhammer 40,000 or Warhammer Age of Sigmar, that helps. Also, if they buy a Combat Patrol or a Spearhead box, that also boosts your sticker count.
Dates, Rewards, and How the Two Challenges Link Up
Call to Arms starts on January 3rd, 2026. So, it runs early enough for new recruits to join the painting pledge later. The article also gives a separate celebration day for Call to Arms. That celebration day is May 30th.
The sticker tiers come with rewards. If you introduce one new person, you earn a Bronze sticker and a pin badge. Additionally, if you help three people start, you earn a Silver sticker and a gaming dashboard. If you introduce five people, you earn a Gold sticker and a brush holder for your desk. The article again notes rewards are cumulative and while stocks last.
Store Anniversaries and the Community Math Behind the Goal
The article adds one more store based hook. If your local Warhammer store anniversary lands in the first five months of 2026, you can stack activities. So, you could bring friends, make your painting pledge, and also grab next year’s Commemorative Series anniversary miniature. They say those anniversary minis will be revealed soon.
Finally, it does some rough math to show the scale. It estimates that 10,000 people painting 100 minis each would hit a million. Alternatively, it suggests 40,000 people painting 25 each could also do it. So, the tone is confident that the community can crush the target.
Summary
This article is basically a two pronged hobby push for early 2026. So, the Million Miniatures Challenge asks you to pledge 25+, 50+, or 100+ painted minis between January 17th and May 9th. Additionally, it rewards you with cumulative store goodies tied to each milestone. Meanwhile, Call to Arms starts January 3rd and rewards you for bringing new people into the hobby. If you love painting marathons or you love recruiting your gaming group, this is built to hit both.
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
