13 2026 Board Games and TCGs We Can’t Wait to Play

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2025 was a fantastic year for games, particularly board games, card games, and trading card games. No matter what you like to play, there was something for everyone. Now that 2026 is here, we’re looking forward to the new releases coming this year, and it’s already looking like another great one. We’ve picked out 13 games that we’re especially excited about.

13. Apex Legends: The Board Game

Two exciting board games are coming soon: Glass Cannon Unplugged and Apex Legends: The Board Game. Apex Legends: The Board Game brings the fast-paced action of the popular video game to the tabletop. It’s a competitive miniatures game where 2 to 6 players choose from six iconic characters – Bangalore, Bloodhound, Gibraltar, Lifeline, Pathfinder, and Wraith – and use their special abilities and quick thinking to win. We’re eager to try it out when it releases on January 9th!

12. The Danes

Following the success of the award-winning game A Feast for Odin, the creators are back with a new Viking-themed worker placement game called The Danes. Designed by Gernot Köpke and Uwe Rosenberg with art by Dennis Lohausen, The Danes puts you in charge of a small Viking community. You’ll need to hunt, raise animals, trade, and gather resources to keep your people fed and ultimately, to win the game. The Danes is scheduled for release later this year.

11. Everdell Emerland

Get ready to return to the delightful world of Everdell with its new expansion, Everdell Emerland! This standalone game takes the popular city-building gameplay into a lush jungle setting, swapping cozy forest landscapes for exciting ancient ruins and lost cities. The ruins are beautifully crafted in 3D, and combined with the charming artwork of Lina Cossette and David Forest, Everdell Emerland promises to be another fantastic addition to the Everdell series. It’s scheduled to be released in June.

10. Magic: The Gathering X Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

This year is shaping up to be packed for Magic: The Gathering, with new sets based both within its own world and crossovers with other universes. One of the most exciting releases is the Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles set. Though we haven’t played it yet, the artwork is beautiful, and the cards seem like they’ll offer a unique Magic and TMNT experience. While the ‘Pizza Lands’ theme might not appeal to everyone, it’s already a favorite, and there are plenty of options available – from full sets to smaller bundles – to please both dedicated Magic players and casual fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles set comes out on March 6th.

9. Winnie the Pooh: Serious Detective

With Winnie the Pooh now in the public domain, we’re seeing fresh takes on the beloved character. As a fan, I’m especially excited about “Winnie the Pooh: Serious Detective,” a new board game where players become detectives in the Hundred Acre Wood – and even Camelot! The game focuses on solving a mystery, and the artwork by Julia Chegodaeva, Ekaterina Mamontova, and Maya Kurkhuli is beautifully done. “Winnie the Pooh: Serious Detective” is scheduled to launch in late January.

8. Pokémon Mega Evolution – Ascended Heroes

Pokémon fans have a lot to look forward to this month with the release of Pokémon Mega Evolution — Ascended Heroes. The new set includes 290 cards, with over 30 featuring unique artwork, and more than 30 Trainer cards. Players can also collect cards featuring Mega Evolutions of popular Pokémon like Charizard and Gengar, along with brand new Mega Evolutions for Pokémon like Dragonite and Hawlucha. Pokémon Mega Evolution – Ascended Heroes will be available starting January 30th.

7. Blood Rage: Valhalla

Since its release in 2015, Blood Rage has been a popular game, currently ranked 61st on BoardGameGeek’s all-time list. Fans were excited about the sequel, Blood Rage: Valhalla, from Tycoon Games, especially with original designer Eric Lang returning to lead the project. After a successful crowdfunding campaign, Valhalla is scheduled to ship to players later this year. This standalone game puts you in command of powerful warriors in Valhalla, battling rival clans and the gods of Asgard. With new monsters and challenges, Blood Rage: Valhalla promises an exciting and unpredictable experience. The game is expected to ship in July.

6. Clash of Clans: The Epic Raid

The popular mobile game Clash of Clans is now becoming a tabletop game called Clash of Clans: The Epic Raid. Successfully funded on Kickstarter last year, the game was designed by Eric M. Lang and Ken Gruhl, and it captures the spirit of the original. Players will develop their villages, train troops, strengthen defenses, and raid opponents to become the ultimate victor. Clash of Clans: The Epic Raid is scheduled to be released in April.

5. Riftbound: Spiritforged

The game Riftbound has become increasingly popular since its release, and its major expansion, Spiritforged, is coming in 2026. Spiritforged will add 221 new cards – including Units, Gear, and Spells – to enhance your decks. It will also introduce 12 new Champions, potentially bringing your favorite League of Legends character into the game. The expansion focuses on weapons and armor, offering fresh ways to play each Domain and includes 30 new Overnumbered cards. Spiritforged looks like a substantial update and will be released on February 13th.

4. Tag Team Expansion

Man, I was totally hooked on Scorpion Masque’s Tag Team last year – such a great game! And during that time, they hinted at some new content coming. Well, W. Eric Martin just dropped the details, and it’s awesome – the next expansion is all about Arthurian legends! They’re adding six new characters to the mix – Morgan, Percival, The Green Knight, Excalibur, The Dragon, and Merlin. The character designs look incredible, and the best part? It’s coming out in June! Plus, they’ve already announced they’re planning a third set for later this year. I can’t wait!

3. Disney Lorcana Wilds Unknown

Disney Lorcana will continue to release new sets throughout 2026, with the next one planned for Winterspell. However, the set generating the most excitement is Wilds Unknown, as it will finally introduce characters from the classic Pixar film, Toy Story, to the game. Initial artwork for Wilds Unknown features Woody and Buzz Lightyear, and fans are hoping to see many more characters from the movie included. With even just these two iconic characters, many players are already eagerly anticipating the set’s release, which is expected in the second quarter of this year.

2. The Two Towers: Trick-Taking Game

The popular card game that blended trick-taking mechanics with the world of Lord of the Rings is getting a sequel! Asmodee and Office Dog are releasing The Two Towers: Trick-Taking Game, a standalone expansion that builds on the original. While it retains the gameplay fans loved, this new version is completely themed around The Two Towers. It’s easy to pick up, but offers plenty of strategic depth, making it a perfect purchase for any Lord of the Rings enthusiast. Look for The Two Towers: Trick-Taking Game on January 16th.

1. Terraria: The Board Game

Several popular video games have been successfully turned into board games, and now Terraria: The Board Game is joining their ranks thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign. Developed by Paper Fort Games, the board game aims to recreate the fun of the original Terraria by combining deck building with resource gathering, base construction, and challenging boss fights. It’s a fully cooperative game for 1 to 4 players and is scheduled to be released in March.

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2026-01-05 07:41