Lock & Load US 2025 – Event sign-ups are live

Tune your lists and prepare your warjacks — event sign-ups for Lock & Load 2025 are officially open!
This is it. The big one. The wargaming weekend you’ve been waiting for. Whether you're a Warmachine, Guild Ball, or Godtear tournament vet; a narrative diehard with a taste for storytelling; or just keen to throw dice and talk shop with fellow warcasters, your moment has arrived.
Lock & Load US is rolling into St. Louis, Missouri, and it’s bringing a storm of mechanika-fuelled mayhem with it. Running alongside Warfaire Weekend, this three-day celebration of everything Warmachine (and then some) is stacked with tabletop clashes, narrative campaigns, hobby hangouts, painting competitions, and more hobby joy than you can shake a storm glaive at.
And it’s not just Warmachine fans descending on St. Louis. Godtear tacticians and Guild Ball veterans will also have plenty to sink their teeth into — plus there’s a programme of painting, sculpting, RPGs, and seminars running all weekend long.
Whether you’re here to win, learn, paint, or just bask in community vibes, Lock & Load US 2025 is your battlefield, your classroom, and your home base rolled into one.
Still on the fence? Here’s what’s in store once you’ve locked in your badge:
Match ready? The tournaments await

Fancy testing your mettle? Grab your badge and get locked in for:
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Iron Gauntlet US last chance qualifier: Friday’s Last Chance Qualifier offers one final shot at entering the Iron Gauntlet US Finals and allows players to compete for points in the next season. Five rounds with two people qualifying for Iron Gauntlet US 2025.
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Iron Gauntlet US final (Saturday & Sunday): This is it — the pinnacle of Warmachine matched play. Saturday and Sunday bring the main event: back-to-back matched play rounds, ending in a climactic final clash.
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Warmachine team tournament (Friday): Rally your warband. This 3-player team event puts strategy and synergy at the forefront. Whether you're battle-hardened or just looking for fun with friends, it’s all about working together to secure victory.
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Legacy tournament (Saturday): Got a soft spot for the classics? Break out your old-school armies and take them for a spin in the legacy tournament. It’s a love letter to past editions, with a spotlight on models and formats of yesteryear.
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Guild Ball tournaments (Friday, Saturday, Sunday): The biggest events of the weekend for Guild Ball players! Bring your team and battle it out in a new structured tournament each day. Pride (and prizes) are on the line.
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Godtear tournaments (Friday & Saturday): This is your shot to prove yourself on the Godtear battlefield. Play in a new structured event on Friday or Saturday and fight your way to the top of the ladder!
Narrative events & open play
Not every battle’s about the podium. For story-driven warfare:
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Warmachine narrative event (all weekend): Dive into a story-driven Warmachine experience where every battle helps shape the narrative. Themed missions, exciting twists, and community storytelling—perfect for players who love flavour as much as firepower.
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8-person scrambles for Warmachine, Godtear, and Guild Ball (Fri–Sat): Want a quick skirmish with bragging rights? Scrambles are a fast and furious way to get your game on.
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Open play & Iron Arena (All weekend): Grab a table, find an opponent, and just play. Earn points, trade them in for swag, and get social with a room full of folks who just love the game.
Explore the hobby side
Sometimes, you just want to paint. Or sculpt. Or learn. Lock & Load's got that covered too:
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P3 Paint & Take: Paint a model and take it home — free with your badge!
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P3 Grandmaster painting competition: Think your paintjob can bring a tear to a warcaster’s eye? Submit your masterpiece for a shot at grandmaster glory.
Enter the P3 Grandmaster painting competition and showcase your finest work. With multiple categories and prizes to be won, it’s the perfect chance to show off your skills—or admire some truly stunning miniatures.
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P3 Paint seminar with SFG’s Mat Hart (Fri–Sat): Join the P3 Paints seminar with Steamforged's Mat Hart, who's taking the beloved paint range created by maestro Mike McVey to even greater heights. Whether you're a hobbyist or competition painter, you’ll leave with insights to elevate your work.
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Sculpting Warmachine with SFG's Russ Charles: Ever wondered how miniatures are brought to life? Steamforged’s sculpting maestro Russ Charles takes you through his process and answers your questions on just how we bring our amazing models from concept to the miniatures on your table.
Storytellers & strategists
Looking to dive into something a little different?
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Iron Kingdoms RPG Session: Step into the world of high adventure with a guided roleplaying session. Whether you're new to roleplaying or a seasoned dice-slinger, this small-group experience is packed with storytelling, laughs, and unexpected twists. Limited spaces — grab your ticket early!
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State of the Iron Kingdoms with SFG's LoreMaster Sherwin Matthews: Love the worldbuilding of the Iron Kingdoms? Join lore maestro Sherwin Matthews as he unpacks the stories, characters, and secrets behind Warmachine’s ever-evolving setting. Bring your questions and geek out with fellow lore fans.
More than just wargaming
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Friday social: Wrap up the first day of Lock & Load with the Friday social! Chill vibes, good conversation, and a great chance to connect with fellow players and creators after a big day of games. Drinks optional—laughter guaranteed.
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Board game library: All weekend long — Take a break from the battlefield and dive into our board game library. Choose from a curated collection of titles and enjoy casual play all weekend long. It’s a great way to relax, recharge, and discover a new favourite.
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Warmachine playtest experience: Want a sneak peek at what’s next for Warmachine? Join SFG's Warmachine guru Jamie Perkins in this playtest experience and get hands-on with new ideas still in development. Your feedback could help shape the future of the game!
Got questions about Lock & Load?
Hop into the #warmachine-events Discord channel and ask away — the community (and team) are there to help!
Secure your spot
If you've already picked up your Lock & Load 2025 Warfaire Weekend badge, you’re good to go. Head over to the event portal now to sign up for your chosen events.
Spots will go fast — especially for seminars and RPG sessions — so don’t hang about.
We can’t wait to see you there.
Whether you're clashing in tournaments, shaping a campaign, or just coming to hang out and hobby, Lock & Load US 2025 is shaping up to be something special.
See you in St. Louis!