Summer of Plunder 2026: Everything You Need to Know About Blood & Plunder’s Global Campaign

The annual Summer of Plunder campaign is back for 2026, bringing nine weeks of global gaming, community challenges, and faction rivalry to players of Blood & Plunder, Oak & Iron, and Port Royal. Organised by the Blood & Pigment community alongside Firelock Games, the event has become one of the largest worldwide campaigns in historical tabletop gaming, allowing players to influence an evolving strategic map while competing for prizes and bragging rights.

Summer Of Plunder Rules And Info // Blood And Pigment

Running from May 30 through August 2, Summer of Plunder 2026 places players in the midst of a campaign inspired by Queen Anne's War and the turbulent years that followed. Every game played contributes to a larger conflict unfolding across the Caribbean and the Americas, with players helping their chosen nation expand, defend territory, and secure victory for their alliance.

How Summer of Plunder Works

Participation is simple. Players play games, submit battle reports online, upload at least one photograph from the game, and choose a location on the campaign map where their battle took place. Each submission acts as a vote that helps determine territorial control across the campaign map.

Games can be played using:

• Blood & Plunder
• Oak & Iron
• Port Royal

Every game entered also earns raffle entries for weekly and end-of-campaign prize draws, with bonus opportunities available through special objectives and community activities.

New for 2026

This year's campaign introduces several significant changes designed to make the strategic layer more engaging than ever before.

The biggest change is the introduction of two fixed Grand Alliances:

Red Alliance

• British
• Dutch
• Pirates

Blue Alliance

• French
• Spanish
• Native Americans

Rather than six independent nations fighting separately, players will now work together within their alliance while still pursuing their chosen nation's goals.

The campaign map has also been redesigned, featuring three land theatres and six sea lanes. Movement and attacks are more restricted than in previous years, creating meaningful strategic choices and encouraging greater coordination between national commanders. Oak & Iron players now play a particularly important role, as control of sea lanes directly affects the movement of forces around the map.

Weekly Objectives and Historical Scenarios

Each week of the campaign includes themed objectives that reward players with bonus points and encourage them to explore different aspects of the game systems.

Examples include:

• Small-scale raids
• Multi-player battles
• Amphibious assaults
• Commander-focused scenarios
• Heavy weapons engagements
• Nation-specific challenges

For 2026, every week is also linked to a dedicated historical scenario included in the Organised Play Kit, giving players the option of recreating famous actions from the period while contributing to the campaign.

Play Anywhere and Earn More Points

One of the most welcoming aspects of Summer of Plunder is its flexibility. Games can be played virtually anywhere, from local game stores and conventions to clubs and home tables. Public games receive additional campaign points, and introducing new players to the hobby earns even more rewards.

These points serve a dual purpose. They increase a player's chances of winning prizes while also strengthening their nation's influence on the campaign map.

Download the Organised Play Kit Here // Firelock Games

Organised Play Support and Exclusive Miniatures

The 2026 Organised Play Kit looks particularly impressive. While still awaiting final approval, Firelock Games plans to include:

• Seven new Blood & Plunder scenarios
• One new Oak & Iron scenario
• One new Port Royal scenario
• Campaign materials and posters
• Twenty-four exclusive miniatures

The miniature selection includes notable historical figures representing each participating nation, including Benjamin Hornigold, Woodes Rogers, René Duguay-Trouin, José de Zúñiga y la Cerda, Pieter Stool, and Chief Gray Lock.

A Global Community Event

Now in its sixth year, Summer of Plunder has evolved into far more than a simple gaming campaign. It combines organised play, hobby showcases, narrative gaming, painting opportunities, and faction competition into a single worldwide event. Players contribute directly to a shared story while connecting with fellow enthusiasts across multiple game systems. There's also a host of prizes from a ton of sponsors across the industry and community which you can check out here.

Whether you're commanding a pirate flotilla in Oak & Iron, leading a landing force in Blood & Plunder, or building a reputation in Port Royal, Summer of Plunder 2026 offers one of the most ambitious community campaigns in tabletop gaming. The only question remaining is which side you'll choose when the battle for the Caribbean begins.