Understanding Games Workshop Preorders at Wargame PortalUpdated a month ago
We know Games Workshop preorders are some of the most exciting moments in the hobby—and sometimes, the most confusing. Here's a breakdown of how preorders work, when they go live, and what to expect when it comes to allocations.
When Do Preorders Go Live?
Games Workshop preorders at Wargame Portal typically go live during our After Dark launch window at Midnight EST on Saturdays.
When Do Preorders Ship?
Preorders are scheduled to release and begin shipping two weeks after they go live. For example, if a product is available to preorder at Midnight EST on May 3rd, 2025, it will officially release and begin shipping around May 17th, 2025. This two-week gap is standard across all Games Workshop retailers.
How Do Allocations Work?
When a release is announced, we put in a request for fulfillment with Games Workshop. Games Workshop then provides vendors like us with product allocations—essentially, how many units we’re allowed to put up for preorder. Unfortunately, this allocation is not always guaranteed in full, especially for high-demand releases or limited-edition box sets.
Sometimes, for reasons not disclosed to any retailers, we get heavily shorted, meaning we receive fewer units than we requested (or none at all, although this is rare). This is not within our control and can affect how many preorders we are able to fulfill on release day.
We do not oversell our preorder slots. Allocation numbers are finalized Friday afternoon and published to the website shortly after. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. Occasionally, we may find extra supply from secondary vendors and open Second-Wave Preorders later in the day. These are never guaranteed.
High-Demand Items
Certain Games Workshop releases are notorious for being over-requested across the entire supply chain. This includes New Faction Boxes, Warhammer 40,000 Battle Forces/Army Sets, and Christmas Boxes. These products are often so popular that allocations can be cut down to single-digit quantities from Games Workshop itself.
This situation doesn’t just affect Wargame Portal—it affects every retailer in the chain, all the way back to the source. While we do our best to secure as much stock as possible, and our seller tier does usually net us more quantity than most, the demand for these sets often far outpaces the supply available worldwide.
When this happens, we may not be able to fulfill all preorder interest in the first wave. That’s why we also work hard to provide Second-Wave Preorders, which allow you another chance at securing these items if we can obtain additional supply from our other sources. You can click here to learn more about how Second-Wave Preorders work.
Can Preorders Run Out?
Yes. Preorders reserve slots can fill up very quickly, especially for sought-after items like Army Boxes or Limited Releases. Once the allocated quantity is reserved, the item will appear as “Sold Out” on the site.
This is normal and reflects the allocation limits we are given. We recommend acting quickly if you are targeting a high-demand product. For the best chance at securing one, be logged into your account ahead of time and ready when the After Dark window opens.
If additional inventory becomes available later, we may reopen preorders under the Second-Wave listing, but this is never guaranteed and is dependent on supply from our alternative sources.
What About Bot Protection?
Preorders can sometimes be hotly contested, but Wargame Portal uses Shopify’s robust bot protection tools and our own systems to cap orders and we purge out any orders that even seem suspicious and relist the items (such as any orders flagged as potentially fraudulent or repeat buyers). Games Workshop products are not typical bot targets like GPUs or sneakers, and even the most aggressive software like NikeShoeBot does not include Games Workshop products in its targeting options, showing a clear sign of disinterest in major scalper circles.
While Games Workshop products are sometimes referenced in botting discussions, actual mass botting events are uncommon. Our research and data has not shown any evidence of such events occurring on our website, but we understand the frustration involved.
What Happens If We’re Shorted?
As stated, pre-order slot numbers are set before launch. If you see an item available, that means we’ve received that number from our supplier.
If an issue beyond our control arises—such as lost-in-transit packages, shipping damage, or vendor error—we’ll contact you directly and offer alternatives or a full refund. As always, orders are fulfilled in the order they were received.
In Summary:
Preorders go live at Midnight EST on most Saturdays.
Release and shipping occur two weeks later.
Allocations can be heavily limited, and high-demand items can sell out quickly.
Orders are fulfilled in purchase order, and updates are sent if issues arise.
If you ever have questions about a specific preorder, feel free to contact us—we’re here to help you navigate the process and secure the models you love.