Warhammer frenzy hits Prague: Opening of first Czech store draws huge crowd

Hundreds of fans gathered in central Prague on Saturday morning as the city’s first official Warhammer store opened its doors, marking the Czech debut of the global tabletop gaming brand Games Workshop. Visitors began queuing as early as 6 a.m., well before the planned 9 a.m. opening.

The launch quickly turned into a large-scale fan event in the heart of the city, with crowds stretching from the store's location in the Černá Růže passage toward Na Příkopě and Wenceslas Square. Police were called to the scene as the unexpectedly large turnout drew attention from passersby, though the opening proceeded without incident.

Organizers had expected a few hundred visitors, but turnout significantly exceeded forecasts. By the time the doors opened, the queue had already formed a long line through one of Prague’s busiest commercial areas, with more fans continuing to arrive throughout the day.

The first customer, identified as Marek, said he had been waiting since 6 a.m. and ultimately spent nearly CZK 7,000 during his visit. “I’ve been here since six in the morning,” he told CzechCrunch, which also shared photos of hundreds of fans queued up outside the store.

Despite the large crowd and the presence of fans dressed in costumes inspired by Warhammer’s futuristic warrior universes, police confirmed there were no security issues and the event remained orderly.

Warhammer is a tabletop strategy game system where players collect, paint, and battle miniature figures using dice and rulebooks. The franchise includes science fiction and fantasy universes, most notably Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer: Age of Sigmar.

Behind the brand is Games Workshop, one of the world’s most profitable gaming companies, with annual revenues equivalent to roughly CZK 18 billion. The company is listed on London’s FTSE 100 index and employs thousands of people worldwide, now including a small team in Czechia supporting the new Prague store.

The Prague store offers the full range of Games Workshop products, including figurines, paints, brushes, rulebooks, and accessories used in assembling and painting miniatures. The opening also attracted collectors seeking exclusive items and promotional gifts available only during launch events.

Beyond tabletop gaming, Warhammer has expanded into broader entertainment, including video games such as Space Marine 2 and the Total War: Warhammer series, as well as animated content through its own streaming platform and a planned Amazon series starring noted fan Henry Cavill.

While the Prague store is the first official Games Workshop location in Czechia, Warhammer products have long been available through specialist retailers such as Imago and Xzone, as well as gaming stores and clubs across the country.

The opening reflects the growing popularity of miniature wargaming in Czechia, a niche hobby that has developed into a global entertainment industry.