NOVA OPEN 2026 Ticket Sales
Go Live April 10 at 7:00 pm EST
September 2-6, 2026
NOVA Open is the premiere gaming and hobby convention focused on high-quality organized play, charity, informative seminars, and a welcoming, family-friendly social experience for gamers and hobbyists worldwide.
Join us for four full days of gaming, seminars, activities, and adventure for you and your family.
Watch this site, our Newsletter, and our Facebook page for the latest announcements and info. Stay tuned as we get the 2026 schedule ready.
If you are interested in helping out or have any questions drop us an email at customerservice@novaopen.com.
Latest News
NOVA Badge Types
This year we have all the awesome badge types you know and love from previous years, including the popular One-Click GT bundles this year for 40k and AOS players. Unlike last year, the badge will automatically asign your GT ticket right away.
NEW this year is that the Super NOVA, Dwarf NOVA, and GT Bundles will all come with exclusive early access to hotel room booking. General room block reservations go live on Friday, May 1st, at 8pm EST.
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Access to the entire convention! Must have a badge to purchase event tickets and merch.
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The Premier NOVA Open Pass!The base SuperNOVA comes with the same great KR Backpack or Kaiser2 case as in past years at no additional cost. Additionally, we have partnered with KR Multicase and A-Case to offer addition bag options at NOVA Open exclusive discounted pricing. These are incredible deals you won't find anywhere else.
Regardless of which bag you choose, your SuperNOVA comes full of amazing perks:Early Hotel Access (April 10-30)
NOVA Open swag! Including: 2026 Beer Mug, Exclusive edition of our convention shirt, NOVA Open dice set, and more branded merch!
Awesome miniatures, paints, coupons, and more from our Sponsors. Over $300 in value!
Full Convention Access Pass for NOVA Open 2026
SuperNOVA Concierge - Don't want to carry your armies or your bag back to your room? Drop it at the SuperNOVA Concierge and we will hold it securely for you
Includes this year's NOVA Open Beer Mug and dice set.
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The premium NOVA Open swag bag. Comes with special edition of this year's T-shirt, Beer Mug, NOVA Open backpack, and NOVA swag. Grants Early Hotel Access.
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The Art First pass is for artists and hobbyists and comes with one free Capital Palette entry and a NOVA Open full-length Capital Palette painting apron. Guarantees access to one of the limited art-related swag bags. Grants Early Hotel Access.
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For Ages 15 and under, get a discounted entry to the whole weekend of the convention. Also includes one free entry into the Capital Palette Painting competition. Must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or more.
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Can only make it for a day? Grab a discounted one-day badge good for a specific day of the convention. Can be upgraded to a weekend badge.
Event tickets purchased separately unless noted above.
The Venue
Located in the heart of downtown Washington, DC, the Washington Hilton has hosted presidents, notable figures and prestigious events since 1965. Stay on-site at the event venue with special NOVA Open block pricing. Conveniently located near the Washington Zoo, metro, and the restaurants and nightlife of Dupont Circle and Adam's Morgan.
The Staff
Meet the hosts of your favorite tabletop games! NOVA Open has an incredible team of vibrant, dedicated volunteer event leads, year-round staff, and convention volunteers. Many are well-known leaders in their hobby and gaming communities. What they all have in common is a genuine love of and commitment to NOVA Open, always putting attendees and fun first!
The East Coast’s Largest Tabletop Gaming Convention
What We’re About
“The NOVA Open is a Washington, DC–area tabletop gaming convention with a strong focus on organized play, charity, hobby education, and community. In 2025, NOVA reached a new milestone with over 4,200 attendees, marking our largest event to date and continuing a trend of incredible growth.
Now entering its 15th year, the NOVA Open traces its origins back to a 32-person outdoor charity BBQ tournament in 2009 in Springfield, VA. From those humble beginnings, it has grown into one of the premier tabletop conventions in the country.
Its legacy events include a massive Warhammer 40,000 Grand Tournament, along with 100+ player events across systems like X-Wing, Infinity, Warmachine, Malifaux, and many more—offering a wide range of competitive and casual experiences for gamers of all kinds.
