Getting ready for the 2026 National Contest, or just looking for inspiration for your entry? The categories and rules are posted and ready to guide you.
The contest will be broken into 208 categories, though some may be split based on the number of entries.
Among the highlights for this year is eight categories for Gunpla and Mecha in addition to youth categories for those models. Remember, too, that in addition to the national categories, the convention has seven special categories: Happy Birthday America; Truck Town USA; Gundam RX-78 - Back to the Beginning; 60th Anniversary of Star Trek; 110th Anniversary of the Battle of Jutland; All American Red, White, and Blue (Presented by Adam-David Stephenson); and Best Use of National Convention Decals. The criteria for the special categories is posted under Welcome to 2026 in the Contest tab.
In addition to thinking about your build and where it will fit, we would like you to also start thinking about judging. Not only is it a chance to get to know some new fellow modelers, it is a chance to learn the keys to winning the national contest. The more judges we have, the quicker the process will go. We will also be looking for some help photographing the winners during the night (more information on that later).
If you are not looking to have your own kit judged (please still come help with judging), there will be plenty of room in the Tiger Meet to show off your work, either by yourself or with your local club or special interest group.
Whatever you plans, we look forward to seeing what you have built.