West Allotment at War 4 — Your Complete Guide to Your First Warhammer 40K GT

Every Wildling who has ever competed in a tournament will tell you the same thing: the weeks before your first event are the worst part. You second-guess your list. You worry about the rules. You imagine sitting across from someone who eats armies like yours for breakfast. You consider pulling out and pretending you never signed up.

Don't. Because the moment you walk into that room, set your army down on the table, shake hands with your first opponent and roll your first dice — every single bit of that anxiety evaporates. And what replaces it is something that keeps people coming back to competitive Warhammer 40K for years.

West Allotment at War 4 is on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May 2026. It's our fourth ITC-certified Grand Tournament, hosted in association with Bay Games Whitley Bay, right here at West Allotment Social Club. If you've been thinking about entering your first competitive event, this is the one. Here's everything you need to know.

What Is West Allotment at War 4?

West Allotment at War is the Wildlings' flagship competitive event — a two-day, ITC-certified Warhammer 40K Grand Tournament hosted in association with Bay Games Whitley Bay. ITC stands for Independent Tournament Circuit, the global rankings system that connects local events to the worldwide competitive 40K scene. Playing in an ITC-certified event means your results count toward your ITC ranking, placing you in a broader community of competitive players across the UK and beyond.

This year's event spans two full days with five rounds of matched play Warhammer 40K at 2,000 points. That's five games, five opponents, and two days of the kind of focused, high-quality wargaming that you simply can't replicate in a casual setting.

The Event at a Glance

Date: Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May 2026

Venue: West Allotment Social Club, 57 Benton Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE27 0EP

Format: 5 rounds, 2,000 points, ITC-certified

Entry Fee: £40 per person, paid via PayPal to w.a.wildlings@gmail.com (include your name and email). Must be paid at least 2 weeks before the event.

Minimum games per player: 3 guaranteed

Questions: Discord at discord.gg/QWzyXKZhRt or email w.a.wildlings@gmail.com

What Does a Tournament Day Actually Look Like?

If you've never done a GT before, the format can feel mysterious from the outside. Here's exactly what to expect.

West Allotment at War uses Swiss format pairing, which means you play all five rounds regardless of your record — this isn't a knockout competition. You will never be eliminated. After each round, the system pairs you against someone with a similar win/loss record to yours, so your games get more evenly matched as the event progresses. By Round 4 and 5, players who have won every game are playing each other, and players who have lost a few are also playing someone at a similar level. Everyone plays five full games.

Each round is a full 2,000 point game of matched play 40K. You'll have a set amount of time per round. The tables will be pre-set with terrain, the missions will be announced or drawn, and a judge will be on hand throughout the event to help with any rules questions.

The Awards — It's Not Just About Winning

This is one of the things that makes West Allotment at War different. Yes, there is a Tournament Champion — the player with the best overall record at the end of five rounds — and they receive an engraved glass trophy. But that's one of five individual awards given out across the weekend.

Best Painted Army goes to the player whose models are judged to have the highest standard of painting and presentation throughout the event. This is judged by our team observing all armies across the weekend — you don't need to be a Golden Demon painter to win, you just need to put the effort in.

Best Sportsman is awarded to the player who makes the day the most enjoyable for their opponents. After each round, you'll have the chance to nominate your opponent for the Most Sporting award. The player with the most nominations takes home this one. Being a good sport is genuinely valued here.

Best Young Player (Under 18s) recognises our younger competitors. We are a club built on inclusivity and that includes making competitive play accessible to younger hobbyists.

Best Player of the Day is judged throughout the event by our team, based on positive impact, sportsmanship, and support for less experienced players. You won't know who's watching — but the players who go out of their way to be helpful, generous and encouraging are exactly who this award is for.

What to Bring

Your army at 2,000 points, fully assembled. Painting is expected — your models should be at minimum Battle Ready standard (based, with at least three colours applied). Don't let painting anxiety put you off entering — if you need help getting your army table-ready before the event, come to one of our Friday night club sessions and someone will help you.

Your army list, which you'll need to submit in advance. Keep an eye on the event pack for the deadline. Dice, measuring tape, tokens, and any other tools you need to play your army. A printed or digital copy of your rules — codex, index, or Wahapedia on your phone. Food and drink for yourself. The venue does not provide food, so bring snacks, lunch, and plenty of water. There will be drinks available to purchase at the venue (adults only). Something to track your score and opponent nominations each round.

How to Conduct Yourself — The Wildlings Way

West Allotment at War is a competitive event but it is first and foremost a Wildlings event, which means the ethos of the club applies throughout. Greet your opponent, shake hands, introduce yourself and go through your army list together before the game starts. This single habit prevents the vast majority of rules disputes before they happen.

Call your shots clearly. Declare your actions out loud. If you're unsure of a rule, look it up calmly — or call a judge without attitude. Don't rush your opponent. Don't dwell on bad dice. The players who enjoy tournaments the most are the ones who stay present, stay positive, and remember that the person across the table from them has also given up their weekend to be there.

Between rounds, step outside, get some air, eat something, and reset. A Warhammer GT is physically and mentally demanding in a way that surprises first-timers. Pace yourself.

The Wildlings' Promise to First-Timers

West Allotment Wildlings was founded as a Community Interest Company with inclusivity at its heart. That doesn't stop at the competitive door. We know that walking into your first GT can feel intimidating. We know the hobby has a reputation for elitism in some corners. That is not what West Allotment at War is.

Our judges will be watching for players who make the day better for everyone around them, not just the ones who run the most optimised lists. Our awards specifically reward sportsmanship and player support. And our community — on Discord and at the venue — will be there to answer questions, help you understand missions, and make you feel welcome from the moment you arrive.

You don't need to win a single game to have an incredible weekend. You just need to show up.

How to Book

Entry is £40 per person. Send your payment via PayPal to w.a.wildlings@gmail.com and include your name and email address in the payment note. Payment must be received at least 2 weeks before the event.

For any questions, join our Discord at discord.gg/QWzyXKZhRt or email w.a.wildlings@gmail.com. You can also sign up on Best Coast Pairings for the event.

West Allotment at War 4. Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May 2026. West Allotment Social Club. Your first tournament is waiting. We'll see you on the battlefield.