World Model Expo 2028, Madrid

World Model Expo, usually shortened to WME, is an international gathering for figure painters and modellers that takes place once every three years. The previous edition was 2025, in Versailles, France. The organiser's own news page puts it simply: Versailles is now history, and Madrid takes over for 2028.

Who runs it

The 2028 expo is organised by the La Posada del Friki Cultural Association and held as part of Freak Wars, Madrid's international miniatures, games and cosplay show. The organiser's pages also credit La Nave, part of Madrid City Council, as a collaborator. For now, WME news lives on the Freak Wars website, and the organiser says a dedicated World Model Expo website will follow.

Why painters care

The organiser describes WME as the most prestigious international event in miniature painting and modelling. Because it only comes round every three years, it draws painters and modellers from many countries at once, and the work on show tends to be the kind people plan for a long time. The official languages are Spanish and English, which helps if you're travelling from the UK.

Freak Wars, the host show

Freak Wars is the show that WME sits inside. On its own site it describes itself as an international miniatures, games and cosplay expo, with wargame tournaments in games such as Infinity, Warhammer 40,000 and Blood Bowl, painting and art contests, and cosplay. It has been growing fast: the organiser gives more than 10,000 square metres for its 2026 edition and more than 16,000 for 2027, and reports a record 1,100 entries in its 2026 art contest.

World Model Expo 2028 is planned for July 2028. The status above reads Planned, exact dates to follow. The organiser's English page gives July, and its Spanish page talks about the start of summer, so treat the month as a guide until the exact days are announced. We'll update this page when they are.

Opening times

Opening times for the expo: Not yet published for 2028. For a feel of how the host show runs, Freak Wars published public opening hours of 10:00 to 20:30 on the Saturday and 10:00 to 17:00 on the Sunday for its September 2026 edition, with early access and tournaments from 9:00. That's the host show's pattern, not a promise for WME, so check the official times before you book flights.

Key dates on the way

Two things happen before the doors open. Contest and exhibitor registration: Opening date to be announced by the organiser. Trade stand applications open after Freak Wars 2027 ends, with priority for brands that have exhibited before. If you're planning to enter, the registration announcement is the date to watch.

Painting and modelling contests

The heart of the expo. The organiser lists modelling and painting contests alongside international miniature exhibitions. If you've only ever seen top level painting on a screen, seeing it in person, from every angle, is a different thing entirely.

Illustration and speed painting

There's an illustration contest and speed painting too. Speed painting is exactly what it sounds like: painting against the clock. It's a useful reminder that a good result doesn't always need weeks.

Scenery and scratch-building

Scenery building and scratch building are on the list, which is good news if you like making the world your miniatures stand in, or building something from nothing. Our guide to painting terrain and scatter is a good starting point for your own.

Army showcases and gaming tables

Whole armies go on show, and there are gaming tables too. It's a chance to see painted forces as a whole rather than one model at a time. Our batch painting guide covers how painters get a whole army finished.

Workshops and masterclasses

The organiser promises workshops and masterclasses, plus plenty of chances to meet artists, fellow hobbyists and people from the industry. Details of who's teaching what will come with the programme.

The trade side

The organiser expects over 120 international brands, along with exhibitors from comics, gaming and art. That's a big trade presence for a painting event, so leave room in your luggage and your budget.

Freak Wars around it

Because WME sits inside Freak Wars, there's more going on around the contests: Freak Wars areas with tournaments, hobby clubs and family activities, cosplay shows and workshops across the weekend, and the Freak Garden, an outdoor food court with food trucks, drinks and shaded areas.

The organiser says the expo is open to hobbyists of all skill levels. Contest categories, classes, entry fees and judging details for 2028 haven't been published yet. Registration for contestants: Opening date to be announced by the organiser. When it opens, read the rules carefully before you commit to an entry, as an international event like this may well do things differently from the shows you know.

The Pabellón de Cristal sits in the Casa de Campo fairground in Madrid. The organiser's directions give the address as Av. Principal de la Casa de Campo, 16, 28011 Madrid. These directions come from the Freak Wars site and describe the venue, so they should hold for 2028, but check the official page before you travel.

Flying in

The organiser points visitors to Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez airport (MAD). From there, the metro or a taxi will get you across the city.

By train and coach

Madrid has high-speed AVE trains from Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Málaga, Zaragoza and other cities, and the South Bus Station handles coach routes from across Europe. Closer in, there's no Cercanías commuter station next to the venue: take the Cercanías to Príncipe Pío (lines C1, C7 and C10), then change to metro line 6 or 10, or walk for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Metro and bus

The metro is the easy option. Lago on line 10 is about a 5 to 7 minute walk, and Puerta del Ángel on line 6 is about 10 minutes. The organiser also mentions Alto de Extremadura on line 6. EMT city buses 31, 33, 36, 39, 65 and 138 stop on Avenida de Portugal or near the fairground.

By car and parking

From the M-30, take exit 17 (A-5, Badajoz, Avenida de Portugal) and follow signs to Casa de Campo and the Recinto Ferial, entering by the main entrance on Avenida Principal de la Casa de Campo. The organiser says there are public, paid car parks near the pavilions and more parking around Avenida de Portugal, but doesn't list names or prices. It also advises not leaving valuables on show in the car, which goes double for a case of painted entries.

Entry for World Model Expo 2028: Not yet published, see the organiser's website. The organiser hasn't published ticket prices or a ticket page for WME yet, and we won't guess them. When tickets go on sale, the button below will take you to the right place.

Where to stay

The organiser says Madrid has a wide range of hotels, hostels, apartments and guesthouses, and has promised a guide to recommended hotels and areas. We hadn't found it on the site when we checked, so look for it nearer the time.

How Freak Wars sells tickets

For a sense of what to expect, here's how the host show handled its 2026 edition. WME may do things differently, so treat this as a guide only.

Details checked against the organiser's website in October 2026. Always check the official site before you travel. Ticket prices, contest categories and entry rules for 2028 will all come from the organiser, so that's the place to look for anything this page doesn't cover.

Who it's for

Competition painters get three years to plan a serious entry. Modellers and scenery builders have contests of their own. Painters looking for ideas don't need to enter anything: a day spent looking closely at the entries will teach you a lot and send you home itching to paint. If you like large figures and busts, our guide to painting large miniatures and busts is worth a read before you go.

Is it good for beginners?

Yes. The organiser says WME is open to hobbyists of every skill level, and you don't have to enter to enjoy it. Seeing that standard of painting up close is one of the quickest ways to learn what's possible.

Can children go?

The host show describes itself as family-friendly, with family activities and reduced tickets for children aged 6 to 14 at its 2026 edition. Check the 2028 ticket terms when they're published. Pets are only allowed for a justified reason, such as a guide dog.

Can't wait until 2028? Our miniature events around the world page lists the big shows by region and month, including painting shows that run every year.