The BWC Zone 2026 – board, war- and card games all in one place!

2 June 2026

Unique guests of the Zone

If you’ve always wanted to embark on a fantastic journey—this year holds something special. At the tables with “Talisman” you’ll be able to do more than just snatch the Crown of Command: you can meet Bob Harris (the game’s creator) himself, and even play a game with him. Yes, you’ve read that right. You can win (or lose) against the author.

While we’re on the topic of absolute legends, the BWC Zone will also be visited by Paul Bonner, an illustrator, well known by the fans of classic fantasy, as well as wargames, card games, and tabletop roleplaying games. His characteristic works full of intense colours were on and in “Dungeons & Dragons”, “Magic: The Gathering”, and projects created for Games Workshop or Rackham. It’s his illustrations you’ve seen in the “Mutant Chronicles” game, or the cult gamebook series “Lone Wolf”, including “Grey Star the Wizard” and “War of the Wizards”.

You can read more about them here: Robert J. Harris and Paul Bonner – Creators of the worlds we play in

The prototypes zone: it’s where future obsessions are born

Some people watch game premieres. Others play them before they get popular.

In the prototype zone, you’ll be able to test out as many as 10 different games and chat with their creators. It’s a place brimming with fresh ideas, experiments, and mechanics that could become absolute hits in the board game world in a few years. In other words: it’s the perfect opportunity to say, “I played this before it even launched.”

Duels, tournaments, and how-to-play for everyone

In the BWC Zone you don’t need to know every rulebook by heart, or to have a dice collection bigger than your fridge. Many of the events have been prepared for those who just want to start their journey with board, war and card games.

‘Drugi Pojedynek’ section of the Druga Era fan club invites you to step into the worlds of Unmatched and Neuroshima Hex. You can learn the rules, test your skills at the tournament, and see how quickly “one game” turns into a sudden urge to buy your own set.

The Go On Board team has prepared something for the fans of dynamic duels and spectacular clashes. You are all invited to a Tekken the board game championship, or you can just learn the rules if you wish to enter the world of fighting tournaments.

Fans of history and magical atmosphere are sure to be satisfied as well. Students and lecturers from Fantastyczny Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu are preparing their historical games and wizard chess inspired by the world of Harry Potter!

Of course, we have to mention Archon Studio, who will bring its new board game set in the world of Quake. Can you capture the atmosphere of the hellish FPS in a box with a board and some figurines? The answer is: you sure can! And you can see it for yourself.

Phew, this part got a bit long, so let’s move on to the next topic!

Card games, card games everywhere

If the tell-tale sound of cards being shuffled gives you an immediate serotonin boost, the BWC Zone will again become your natural habitat.

During the course of the convention, you can learn how to play, see presentations or join tournaments of many popular trading card games. Waiting for you at the tables will be:

• Magic: The Gathering

• Dragon Ball Super Card Game Masters

• Pokémon Trading Card Game

• Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game

• Grand Archive

• One Piece Card Game

• GUNDAM CARD GAME

• …and more!

Paints, minis, and the splendour of Złota Pyra

Right here, you can learn how to play different wargame systems, how to build an army, and how to properly paint your miniatures. All of that surrounded by the smell of paints, plastic runners, and ambition bigger than the space in your display cabinet.

Once again, the Zone will be home to the Minifigure Painting and Modeling Contest “Złota Pyra”. Registration opens on June 5, 2026, and all the details will be on the Pyrkon website. If you’ve ever looked at a figurine you painted thinking “this is my magnum opus”—it’s very likely that this contest is right up your alley.

Board game library—the most dangerous place at Pyrkon

You know how this goes. “Let’s just sit down for one game”.

Four hours later you’re explaining to your friends the rules of a game (of which existence you’ve learned three hours earlier), and someone’s just brought in another box “because this one takes just 40 minutes”.

The library will once again be the heart of the board game part of the Zone. You’ll be able to rent a title, sit down with friends, and immerse yourself in a world of strategy, bluffing, cooperation, and betrayal at the table. And if the rules prove too complicated, don’t worry. There will be people ready to teach you how to play. Or you can try another game—there are hundreds to choose from.

Because that’s what the BWC Zone is all about—common interests, excitement, and stories that start with one question: “Wanna play?” ✨