Crisis Wargames Show, Belgium

Crisis is a wargaming convention organised by two Belgian gaming clubs. Tin Soldiers of Antwerp is a games club based in Ekeren, a district of Antwerp, with its own clubhouse full of painting tables and terrain. Miniature games are its core, across historical, fantasy and sci-fi periods, alongside board games, roleplaying and card games. HQ Gaming is a games club with a clubhouse in the centre of Sint-Niklaas, and Crisis appears in its list of yearly activities.

For Tin Soldiers of Antwerp, Crisis is the biggest club event of the year, and it comes back annually. The organisers call it the largest wargaming convention in Belgium and say it attracts hundreds of visitors each year. That is their description, not a figure we've counted, but it gives a fair idea of the feel: a busy hall run by hobbyists for hobbyists, rather than a corporate expo.

The show is now held at 't Bauhuis in Sint-Niklaas, no longer in Antwerp city itself. If you went in the past, or you're following an old blog post or forum thread, double-check the address before you set off.

A show with a club behind it

Because Crisis is run by volunteers from the clubs, the people on the door, behind the games and clearing up at the end are mostly members giving up their weekend. Shows like this are how clubs raise funds, meet other clubs and bring new people into the hobby, so a ticket does a bit of good as well as getting you in.

Crisis 2026 is on Saturday 7 November 2026, open 10:00 to 17:00. It is a one-day show, so everything happens in those hours: the trade hall, the demonstration games and the participation games all run side by side.

The organising club also mentions a tournament day on the Sunday this year, with details still to be published on the official site.

The show has been held in November in recent years, and historically in late October or November, so if you're planning a year ahead, autumn is the season to keep free. The organisers confirm each year's date on their website.

The organising club sums Crisis up as a trade hall where you can look, buy, play, eat and drink. In practice that means three things going on at once: traders, demonstration games and participation games, with food and drink in the hall so you don't have to leave.

The trade hall

The organiser's trader list for this year's show runs to around 37 stands. They cover a broad mix: miniature makers, online and high street shops, distributors, terrain makers, painting and commission services, and suppliers of tools and lighting. The club describes the traders as the place to find hard-to-get figures, rulebooks, accessories, terrain and background books, the sort of thing you rarely see on a shop shelf.

If you've a project in mind, it's a good chance to see commission painters' work up close and talk through what you want. And if terrain is on your list, you can see it, pick it up and judge it properly before you buy.

Demonstration games

Demonstration games are for watching. At Crisis these are large battle reconstructions with hundreds of miniatures on the table, put on by clubs to show off a period, a rules set or simply a lot of beautifully painted models. They are a good place to pick up ideas for terrain and basing, and the people running them are usually happy to explain what's going on.

Participation games

Participation games are the opposite: you sit down and play. Clubs run short games that visitors can join, with someone on hand to teach the rules. They're the easiest way to try a new game without buying anything first.

This year the organising club's own participation game is set at Rorke's Drift in 1879, takes about 30 minutes and is pitched at everyone, and there's a large demonstration game set on the Coromandel Coast in 1693.

Board games and RPGs

Crisis isn't only about miniatures. The organisers say that whether you're into tabletop wargaming, board games or roleplaying games, you'll find something to enjoy, which suits a mixed group or a family where not everyone paints.

The organising club's answer is simple: everyone. Its own site says that whether you're a seasoned wargamer or new to the hobby, there's something for you at Crisis.

Bringing children

The club says the show is for everyone, and short participation games are a friendly way for younger players to join in. The organisers haven't published separate children's prices, so check entry for under-16s on the official site. As at any busy hall, keep little ones close near tables of painted models.

If your local club fancies a trip together, a one-day show like this makes a good outing. Our club guide has tips on finding or starting one.

The venue is 't Bauhuis, Slachthuisstraat 60, 9100 Sint-Niklaas, Belgium. The organisers describe it as a venue with plenty of space for the convention, and it's easy to reach whether you come by train, bus or car.

Travelling from the UK

Sint-Niklaas sits between Antwerp and Ghent in northern Belgium, so it works as a long day trip from the south of England or as part of a weekend away. Book crossings and somewhere to stay early, make sure your passport is in date, and check what your car needs for driving in Belgium if you're taking it. If you're going by rail, plan your connection to Sint-Niklaas station, then it's a short walk.

Bringing home a box of terrain? Our storage and transport guide has ideas for keeping new models safe on the way back.

A few simple things make a show day easier, especially when it involves a trip abroad. Most of these aren't special to Crisis, they're just what works at busy hobby shows.

Paid entry. Check the official site for this year's price. When we checked, there was no online ticket shop linked and the organising club's page gave no price, so confirm the price and how to pay before you travel.

The organisers haven't published concessions or children's prices, so if you're bringing a family or a group, it's worth checking ahead.

Details checked against the organiser's website in October 2026. Always check the official site before you travel.

Looking for more shows? Our miniature events around the world guide lists shows by country and month, with a page for each.

Related events