Games Workshop has officially announced another price increase for 2026 and this one hits on September 21, 2026. If you are a Warhammer 40K, Age of Sigmar, Horus Heresy, or Old World player in North Carolina, you have a short window to stock up at current prices before the new rates kick in. Here is everything you need to know: what is going up, by how much, when to order, and where to buy in NC before the deadline.
What Is Changing and When
Games Workshop officially announced: from September 21 some Warhammer products will change in price, and orders can be processed before the change becomes effective until the end of day Thursday September 17. That means September 17 is the last day to place orders at current prices through official GW channels and participating retailers.
How Much Are Prices Going Up?
According to analysis of the US, UK, and German price change spreadsheets, the 2026 increase is approximately 4% overall with an average dollar increase of $2.57 per product and a median of $2.00. The increase is spread evenly across the whole product range rather than hammering a handful of kits while leaving everything else untouched.
In real dollars: a $55 kit becomes roughly $57, a $75 box goes to about $78, and a $120 Combat Patrol goes to around $125. Not catastrophic per item, but across a full army purchase it adds up fast.
Why Is GW Raising Prices Again?
Games Workshop cited additional costs of around $8 million as a direct consequence of US tariff changes, offset by efficiencies and price rises on miniatures and books. The 2026 increase continues a pattern that has seen GW raise prices at least once a year since 2022, citing materials, production, and shipping costs each time.
What Should You Buy Before September 17?
Big ticket items first. The increase is percentage-based so the more expensive the kit, the more you save by buying now. Imperial Knights, Titans, large vehicle kits, and army-scale bundles are where the dollar savings are biggest. A $200 kit going up 4% costs you $8 more after September 21. A $400 bundle costs you $16 more.
Paints and hobby supplies. Citadel paints, washes, contrast paints, and technical paints are all going up. If you paint regularly, stocking up on your most-used colors now is a no-brainer. Buy a month or two of supplies at current prices.
Combat Patrols and starter sets. These mid-range boxes are great value at current prices and are the kind of purchase that is easy to delay until suddenly you wish you had bought them sooner.
Warhammer+ subscription. Monthly subscriptions are increasing from $6.99 to $8.49 per month and annual subscriptions from $59.99 to $74.99. In return, subscribers now automatically receive both the Warhammer 40K and Age of Sigmar exclusive miniatures each year plus a new Warhammer Yearbook coffee table book. If you have been considering subscribing, locking in an annual now makes sense.
Key Dates
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Now through September 17 | Order at current prices |
| September 17, 2026 | Last day to order at old prices |
| September 21, 2026 | New prices take effect |
Best Warhammer Products to Buy Before the Price Increase
Available through your local NC game store or on Amazon:
Warhammer 40K:
- Warhammer 40K Starter Set
- Space Marines Combat Patrol
- Citadel Contrast Paint Set
- Citadel Base Paint Set
Age of Sigmar:
Hobby Supplies:
Where to Buy Warhammer in North Carolina Before September 17
Charlotte Area:
Adventurers Guild Charlotte – 7808 Fairview Rd
Games Workshop Charlotte – Official GW retail store
Trailside Games and Hobbies – Matthews
Gamers Alley – Gastonia
Raleigh and the Triangle:
Atomic Empire – Durham
HobbyTown Raleigh
HobbyTown Durham
The Gamers Armory – Cary
Games Workshop Carrboro – Official GW store
Greensboro and the Triad:
Tabletop Kingdom – Greensboro
Lemax Hobby and Games – Greensboro
Asheville and Western NC:
The Nerd Dungeon – Asheville
HobbyTown Hickory – Hickory
Wilmington:
Scale Models and More
Quest Games and Comics
Fayetteville:
Showcase Hobbies
Roll for Initiative
Official GW Stores:
Warhammer Morrisville
Warhammer Winston-Salem
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