Whenever I begin drafting this particular article, I get genuinely excited. After all, who in our hobby doesn’t love news about new and upcoming titles? I find myself checking my pre-orders, browsing the latest newsletters from my favorite publishers, and looking ahead – trying to anticipate what great wargames the future will bring.

At the same time, it is always a challenging piece to finish. There are simply so many new releases, announcements, designers, and even publishers to keep track of. How do you narrow it down to a short list of games you are truly looking forward to in 2026, without giving in to the temptation of making it far too long?

Still, I think I managed to strike a good balance by limiting my wish list to ten titles (although, as usual, the number keeps creeping up every year – I just couldn’t resist). It is a broad mix, featuring solitaire, two-player, and multiplayer games, covering both modern conflicts and ancient history. You will find the full list below – enjoy and feel free to add your own ideas in comments section!

Summary of 2025 and look into the 2026:
The Boardgames Chronicle most often played games of 2025
The Boardgames Chronicle in 2025 – analysis
New to me in 2025

1) Coast Watchers: Allied Field Intelligence in the South Pacific, 1942-1943 from GMT Games

Coast Watchers takes you into the World War II South Pacific’s struggle between Allied intelligence teams and Japanese security forces. Standup blocks hide coastwatching stations, guerrillas, refugees, and stranded Allied crew. Facedown counters hide the buildup of Japanese forces, which the coastwatchers seek to observe and report to headquarters. Other counters show where Japanese patrols are searching for coastwatchers or go into and get drawn from cups to run Japanese searches and Allied delivery missions.

Each side has Mission cards. Allied Missions assign side tasks to the coastwatchers. Japanese Missions lay out secret military objectives for victory points, including air and sea operations against which the coastwatchers are to warn Allied forces. By hunting coastwatchers while building up military readiness and guiding operations, the Japanese player seeks to slip through the enemy intelligence net. Players also draw Asset cards: special abilities to augment actions and perhaps add victory points.

GMT Page

This is by far my top anticipated Wargame of 2026. We have here something completely new, innovative and – knowing Volko – which can turn into another game series! Just look what happened with COunter INsurgency or Levy & Campaign systems and how they flourished.

It will be exciting to explore this asymmetric game, especially with the option to play it as standalone scenarios or linked mini-campaigns. I am also very curious to see how well the solo mode works. And, as with any good historical title, I appreciate the chance to learn more about events and an era I previously knew very little about. I truly can’t wait to get it to the table!

More about game:

2) Infernal Machine: Dawn of Submarine Warfare from GMT Games 

Infernal Machine: Dawn of Submarine Warfare is a solitaire game in which you play an inventor and entrepreneur in mid-19th century America during the Civil War. Your goal is to design, build, and deploy a submarine through standalone scenarios or a longer campaign. In campaign mode, you choose your base, recruit investors for funding, and hire skilled personnel to turn your plans into a functioning vessel. You shape the submarine’s capabilities through key design decisions, while dealing with fluctuating costs and disruptive wartime events.

Once the Fishboat is ready, you can undertake missions for either the Union or the Confederacy, ranging from basic training runs to dangerous attacks against enemy targets. Crew management is essential, as morale and technical expertise directly affect performance, and malfunctions or navigation errors can quickly turn a mission into a disaster. Each monthly turn combines recruitment, construction, and random “fortunes of war” that vary depending on the side you play. Missions are influenced by weather and visibility, and success depends on balancing secrecy, preparation, and risk. If you reach the target, the game shifts into a tense tactical phase where earlier choices determine the outcome.

GMT page

Jeremy White and his naval, solitaire games is not something I can pass on. They are so well designed, with great introductory scenarios / campaigns, beautiful components and usually so much content that you can play it for tens of hours.

The game description is a bit bizarre – you are entrepreneur during American Civil War, developing completely new, yet unknown military technology – submarines – and offering your service to the highest bidder, regardless whether this is Union or Confederacy (clever trick, not to be blamed about supporting either side).

I am really looking forward to playing this game – and we should get it already in first quarter of 2026!

More about game:

3) Twilight Struggle: 20th Anniversary Hall of Fame Edition from GMT Games

We cannot think of a better way to commemorate the Cold War, this vital piece of world history, than with our freshest and richest version of Twilight Struggle to date. We invite you to relive an era with the words uttered by one of its most iconic statesmen: “Now the trumpet summons us again, not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are – but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle” – John F. Kennedy

Twilight Struggle 20th Anniversary Hall of Fame Edition adds even more beauty and play options to the original game. Here are some of the additions you’ll see in this new Edition: A brand new game box by the incomparable Terry Leeds; A double sided map with a new Terry Leeds map on the front and the familiar Deluxe Edition Mark Simonitch map on the back; The Turn Zero and Alternative Space Race variants included; A new alt-history scenario, “Red Sun Rising” with new cards; A collection of promotional cards including the Kickstarter Promo Packs #1 and #2 and a selection of promo cards from foreign editions of Twilight Struggle; A background booklet including retrospective essays from the designers.

GMT Page

I simply could not pass on this. My old, sturdy and used-up copy of Twilight Struggle – played umpteen times – definitely justifies purchase of this new edition. And we are getting so many new elements – from graphical representation, to add-ons and optional rules – that this it will be a great, refreshing comeback to fantastic classic!

More about game:

4) Cuius Regio: The Thirty Years War from GMT Games

In May 1618, two imperial regents of the Habsburg Empire, along with their secretary, were thrown from the window of the council room in Prague Castle for violating an agreement that protected Protestant religious rights. The act, known as the Defenestration of Prague, marked the beginning of 30 bloody years of warfare—the Thirty Years War. Cuius Regio explores the operational military aspects of this pivotal period in European history and focuses on the maneuvers and battles that shook Europe for three decades.

The game includes scenarios covering the Bohemian Revolt, the Danish intervention, the Swedish intervention, the French intervention, and a Thirty Years War campaign of 31 turns lasting from 1618 to 1648. Each scenario has a unique character, and the game can be played in as little as an hour and a half (for a short scenario) or can be a multi-session game for the full campaign.

GMT page

Quite honestly, number of my games taking place in XVII century is pretty minimal (only Berestechko 1651), and ones about Thirty Years War equals to zero (thankfully, Kuba has Wallenstein, which is however pretty abstract although funny to play).

That is why when I heard that Paco Gradaille is designing game about this period, I was immediately intrigued. His take on Levy & Campaign system was excellent (see Plantagenet) and I will be looking for that spark of designer genius also in this title. Should be fun!

More about game:

5) Army of the Potomac: Campaigns of 1862 and 1864 from GMT Games

Army of the Potomac: Campaigns of 1862 and 1864 is the second volume in the Civil War Heritage series and the follow-up game to the innovative and acclaimed Rebel Fury. Army of the Potomac uses the same core rules as Rebel Fury, so players familiar with Rebel Fury will be able to jump right into the action. Each battle in Army of the Potomac is quick-set-up, quick-playing, and deeply interactive. The density of counters in each scenario is low, allowing you to see and experience the big picture of the battle.

Army of the Potomac covers the battles of Spotsylvania II, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, and the entire Seven Days battle (McClellan vs Lee), including the prelude Seven Pines (McClellan vs Johnston) when Johnston’s wounding brought Lee into the command of the Army of Northern Virginia. Each battle places you, the player, in the role of the Army Commander (Grant, McClellan, Lee, Johnston). You maneuver your army to find the enemy’s flanks, concentrate your forces for an attack, and determine where to commit your artillery assets.

GMT Page

I am not expecting any surprises here. I expect same excellency as in Volume 1! Having so much fun while playing Rebel Fury, it was a no-brainer. Even more interesting battles of American Civil War, some new mechanics and system rules, beautiful maps, separate set of counters for each and every scenario – that is exactly what I hope to get. And of course Mark Herman, one of my favorite wargames designers!

More about game:

6) Purgatorio from GMT Games

The struggle between monarchs in Europe, particularly between the Holy Roman Emperor and the Pope, would spawn well over a hundred years of conflict in Italy. The Investiture Controversy caused a split between the Italian city states and even the people within the city states. Guelph was the name given to those who supported the Papacy – while the Ghibellines were the supporters of the Holy Roman Empire. Guelph cities tended to be farther away from the Papal States and closer to the Holy Roman Empire, and Ghibelline cities tended to be farther away from the Holy Roman Empire and closer to the Pope’s temporal power.

Battles raged across Italy from the mid-1100s to the mid-1300s with both sides ending up on top at one time or another. This sixth Men of Iron game covers some of those battles: beginning with Frederick Barbarossa trying to recapture rebelling provinces in Italy in the late 12th century, taking a spin through the 13th century with a few battles that spelled the end of direct Hohenstaufen rule of Italy, and ending with a war that myth says was fought over the theft of a bucket from one city by another!

GMT Games Page

I really enjoyed Lev & Campaign Inferno, which depicted the struggles between Guelphi and Ghibelline on strategic level. When I saw that Men of Iron series will cover this topic in volume called Purgatorio, I really jumped to it. I like to see particular conflicts from various angels, dimensions and perspectives. One learns a lot thanks to it. This is the title which we should get pretty early in 2026, so I hope to soon bring it to the table.

More about game:

7) Neither King Nor God from Sound of Drums

A 4-player strategy game set in Renaissance Europe, focused on the era’s shifting loyalties and the mercenary mindset: faith, borders, and rulers mattered less than payment and opportunity. This “pilot” version is a streamlined introduction to a larger, epic 5-player game planned for 2026. Each player leads one of four major powers shaping Central Europe: England, France, the Papacy and nearby Italian City States, or the Holy Roman Empire.

Victory requires controlling enough regions and shaping the religious map by maintaining or converting key Centers, with each faction pursuing different objectives – sometimes helping rivals along the way. Each turn starts with income from “Barrels,” followed by recruitment and planning, then a Courtiers phase where players place them face-down in Centers and resolve them top-to-bottom. Courtiers enable actions like movement, battles, sieges, trade influence, conversions, and exploration. If a player meets their conditions at turn’s end, they reveal their Victory Card and win.

Publisher page

This was one of my top priorities to try at Essen Spiel 2025, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations. It’s a highly engaging take on Renaissance-era conflicts, featuring an excellent activation system based on chits placed in specific areas and then resolved in reverse order, starting with the last one played.

Just as importantly, Neither King Nor God is “only” the smaller, four-player pilot version—and it was already a fantastic experience. The full, epic edition is planned for 2026, and I genuinely can’t wait to see it. Uwe Walentin and Sound of Drums have created a game that feels both intense and refreshingly quick to play.

More about game:

8) Battle Commander: Volume I from Sound of Drums

Battle Commander is a new wargame system whose intent is to replay historical 18th-19th century battles. It features a fresh framework focused on providing two key play aspects: command decisions and playability. Eventually, the system is planned to expand into other similar eras, such as the American Civil War.

It uses a granular cube-pull activation system for all game phases (player movement, combat, rally, card draws, etc.) and in interactive Combat system using Event cards. No Dice! There will be six Battles per volume, more or less in chronological order, that’ll cover the Napoleonic wars from start to finish. A series about the American Civil War is also in the works.

Campaign Page

That game intrigued me from the start – an esteemed designer – Carl Paradis, a Napoleonic theme, a completely new system and gorgeous components from Sound of Drums. Could not wish for more!

And when I learned more about mechanics – you can too from the interview with the designer – I was sure I would like to give it a try. If successful and well-received, that could be a first installment in what seems to be a very promising series!

More about game:

9) Defiance: 2nd Russo-Ukrainian War 2022-? from GMT Games

Defiance: 2nd Russo-Ukrainian War 2022-? Volume 1: Miracle on the Dnipro 2022 covers the opening phase of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, focusing on the Kyiv and Chernihiv campaigns from February 24 to roughly April 1, 2022. It builds on Flashpoint Golan (1991), adds a strategic political layer inspired by Triumph of Chaos (2019), and updates the system for modern multi-domain warfare. As a “first draft of history,” it aims to model an ongoing conflict despite the inherent design challenges.

At its core, players buy formation chits using logistics points, draw them from a “cup of chaos,” and activate formations to move and fight while managing detection and enemy response. HQs play a major role by supplying operational points, calling in assets (air, missiles, drones, helicopters), and enhancing formation performance through special capabilities. The game has no traditional victory points: Russia seeks to displace the Ukrainian government from Kyiv, while Ukraine’s goal is to prevent it.

GMT Games page

As a Pole, this is not a simple wargame for me. This is piece highlighting – and commemorating – how my neighbors, Ukrainians, bravely repelled unprovoked aggression of Russia in 2022. It is great to see that topic is handled by great game designers, like Mike Herman, so not only we shall get great product but also this ensures there will be no bias in design.

I am curious how the asymmetry and victory conditions will be depicted here. That game definitely arises my interest high – also due to fact that it covers very fresh events, which are still continuing…

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10) Guadalcanal: The Battle for Henderson Field, Oct 23-26 1942 from Dan Verssen Games (DVG)

Guadalcanal: The Battle for Henderson Field is Game #5 in the Valliant Defense Series! It is based heavily on the popular Pavlov’s House model. The game puts the player in command of the 1st Marine Division and the Cactus Air Force in the decisive land battle in the Pacific War that ended the Imperial Japanese expansion.

Kickstarter page

I could not pass on another installment in Valiant Defense system. Especially one which for the first time takes us to the Pacific! Vincent Cooper did a tremendous job of using the great David Thompson system mechanics into completely new theater of operations. He explained the details and changes in the interview I had a pleasure to run with him.

And when you combine this with astonishing graphics of Nils Johansson, you are getting and incredibly looking, engrossing and brutal solitaire experience. I am really looking forward to this game – hoped to have possibility to bring this to the table in 2025, but unpredicted circumstances seems delayed this game a bit.

More about game:

Conclusion

Honestly, those ten games only scratched the surface of what will be coming in 2026. While wargaming is still far from the boardgaming mainstream, the industry has clearly been gaining momentum in recent years. The sheer number of new releases is so large that it is virtually impossible to play them all – or even keep up with every announcement. Hopefully, this shortlist will serve as a bit of inspiration for Dear Readers looking for their next great title.

And what are yours most anticipated games of the current year?