Harry Potter fans are getting a new way to return to Hogwarts—this time around the gaming table.
Harry Potter: Defenders of Hogwarts is an officially licensed tabletop game from MinaLima, the design studio closely associated with the distinctive graphic identity of the Harry Potter films. Instead of simply revisiting familiar locations, the game puts players in the middle of a struggle for control of Hogwarts.
Players can stand with one of the four Hogwarts houses and defend the school or embrace the Dark Forces and work toward Lord Voldemort's victory.
The project has already attracted significant attention. MinaLima's first Kickstarter campaign ended with 10,152 backers and £1,223,849 pledged against a £50,000 target, according to crowdfunding tracker Kicktraq. That works out to roughly 24 times its original funding target.
For backers, estimated fulfillment is scheduled to begin in October 2026, while reports indicate that a limited retail release is planned for fall 2026.
What Is Harry Potter: Defenders of Hogwarts?
Defenders of Hogwarts is a strategy board game set in the Wizarding World.
Its central idea is straightforward: Hogwarts is threatened by the Dark Forces, and players decide which side of the battle they want to join.
Rather than making every player cooperate against a common enemy, the game creates opposing loyalties. You can represent a Hogwarts house and try to protect the school, or align yourself with the Dark Forces.
That choice gives the game an interesting foundation for Harry Potter fans. Your Hogwarts allegiance isn't merely decorative the battle between the school and Voldemort's forces sits at the heart of the experience.
The game supports two to five players. BoardGameGeek currently lists a playing time of approximately 90–180 minutes and a recommended age of 13 and older.
Defenders of Hogwarts Was a Huge Kickstarter Success
The crowdfunding response provides one of the clearest signs of interest surrounding the game.
MinaLima launched the Defenders of Hogwarts Kickstarter campaign on June 30, 2026. The campaign concluded on July 23 after 24 days.
Its original funding target was £50,000.
By the end of the campaign, Kicktraq recorded:
| Kickstarter Detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Funding goal | £50,000 |
| Final pledged amount | £1,223,849 |
| Backers | 10,152 |
| Campaign length | 24 days |
| Funding achieved | About 2,448% |
The campaign therefore exceeded its initial goal by more than £1.17 million.
MinaLima itself described the response to the campaign as overwhelming and highlighted enthusiasm from both Harry Potter fans and the board gaming community.
How Does Defenders of Hogwarts Work?
At its core, Defenders of Hogwarts asks players to prepare for a battle between Hogwarts and the Dark Forces.
Players explore the grounds, develop their magical abilities and prepare themselves for the conflict ahead. The unusual twist is that not everyone necessarily wants Hogwarts to survive.
Choose Hogwarts or the Dark Forces
Players can align themselves with:
- Gryffindor
- Hufflepuff
- Ravenclaw
- Slytherin
- The Dark Forces
That premise immediately separates Defenders of Hogwarts from a straightforward cooperative adventure.
The decision to defend Hogwarts or join its enemies creates the possibility for competing objectives and different approaches depending on which side players choose.
MinaLima's own promotion of the game summarizes the decision simply: choose your house or choose the Dark Side, with the fate of Hogwarts depending on what happens next.
Player Count and Game Length
Defenders of Hogwarts is designed for 2–5 players, making it suitable for smaller tabletop groups as well as a fuller five-player session.
Players should set aside considerably more than an hour, however.
BoardGameGeek lists its expected play time as 90–180 minutes.
That means Defenders of Hogwarts appears better suited to a dedicated game night than a quick casual round between other activities.
MinaLima Brings Its Harry Potter Artistry to the Table
One of the game's biggest attractions is the team behind its visual presentation.
MinaLima was founded by Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, whose work helped establish the graphic language audiences associate with the Harry Potter films.
The studio has spent decades creating designs connected with the Wizarding World. MinaLima describes its relationship with Harry Potter fans as one built over approximately 25 years of designing for the franchise.
For Defenders of Hogwarts, MinaLima partnered with industrial designer David Waterman. MinaLima revealed during the Kickstarter campaign that Waterman approached the studio in early 2024 about helping bring his tabletop game concept to life.
That combination of tabletop design and MinaLima's established visual identity could be particularly important for collectors.
This isn't simply a Harry Potter theme placed onto an unrelated game. Its creators have direct ties to the visual world established by the films.
What Comes With Defenders of Hogwarts?
The game's presentation appears to be a major part of the package.
Reporting surrounding the Kickstarter campaign indicates that the game contains around 200 components, including approximately 100 illustrated cards.
The artwork is especially significant because of MinaLima's involvement.
For fans familiar with the studio's prints, books and Wizarding World graphic designs, Defenders of Hogwarts provides another format in which that design style can be explored.
It also means the game potentially serves two audiences: players primarily interested in its strategy and collectors interested in Harry Potter artwork and physical components.
When Does Defenders of Hogwarts Release?
The release schedule requires an important distinction.
Kickstarter fulfillment is estimated to begin in October 2026. The Kickstarter information reported by Darkstone lists estimated delivery beginning that month.
That does not necessarily mean every retail customer worldwide will be able to walk into a store and purchase the game in October.
Separate reporting indicates a limited fall 2026 retail release through selected retailers, House of MinaLima locations and Harry Potter Shops. A broader multilingual launch is reportedly planned for spring 2027.
For that reason, fans should distinguish between Kickstarter fulfillment, limited retail availability and the wider international release.
Is Defenders of Hogwarts Still Available to Order?
The original Kickstarter campaign has ended.
It ran from June 30 through July 23, 2026 and successfully reached its funding target.
Availability after a crowdfunding campaign can change, so buyers interested in late pledges should check MinaLima's official Kickstarter campaign rather than assuming that a particular pledge tier or price remains available.
The campaign's success also means certain editions or extras offered to Kickstarter supporters should not automatically be assumed to be included in future retail editions.
Fans primarily interested in the standard game may instead want to watch for the planned limited fall release or the wider 2027 launch.
Who Is Defenders of Hogwarts For?
Harry Potter: Defenders of Hogwarts appears designed to appeal to several overlapping audiences.
Harry Potter fans get a new tabletop experience centered directly on Hogwarts and its four houses.
Board gamers get a 2–5-player strategy experience with opposing allegiances rather than a purely decorative licensed product.
MinaLima collectors get a game whose visual identity comes from designers with a long history working on the Wizarding World.
And gaming groups get an experience substantial enough to occupy a large portion of a game night, given its listed 90–180-minute playing time.
Of course, crowdfunding success doesn't establish how good the finished game will be. Players may want to wait for broader independent reviews of final production copies before deciding how Defenders of Hogwarts compares with other Harry Potter tabletop games.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Harry Potter: Defenders of Hogwarts?
Harry Potter: Defenders of Hogwarts is an officially licensed strategy board game created by MinaLima in collaboration with designer David Waterman. Players choose whether to defend Hogwarts or align themselves with the Dark Forces.
When is Defenders of Hogwarts coming out?
Kickstarter fulfillment is estimated to begin in October 2026. A limited retail release is expected in fall 2026, followed by a broader multilingual release reportedly planned for spring 2027.
How many people can play Defenders of Hogwarts?
The game supports 2–5 players.
How long does a game of Defenders of Hogwarts take?
BoardGameGeek lists an estimated playing time of 90–180 minutes.
Can you play as the Dark Forces?
Yes. Players can choose to represent a Hogwarts house or side with the Dark Forces, making allegiance an important part of the game's premise.
Who created Defenders of Hogwarts?
The project comes from MinaLima, the design studio of Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, working with game designer David Waterman. MinaLima is closely associated with the graphic design of the Harry Potter film series.
How successful was the Defenders of Hogwarts Kickstarter?
The campaign raised £1,223,849 from 10,152 backers against a £50,000 goal, according to Kicktraq's final campaign data.
Is Defenders of Hogwarts officially licensed?
Yes. Reporting on the game's announcement identifies it as officially licensed in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products.
The Battle for Hogwarts Is Heading to the Table
Harry Potter: Defenders of Hogwarts has already made a substantial entrance before reaching most players' tables.
Its Kickstarter campaign attracted more than 10,000 backers and exceeded £1.2 million in pledges, while its combination of MinaLima artwork, strategic gameplay and the choice between Hogwarts and the Dark Forces gives it an identity beyond simply being another licensed Harry Potter product.
For Kickstarter supporters, the next major milestone is expected to arrive from October 2026, when estimated fulfillment begins. Other fans can watch for limited fall availability, while a wider multilingual release is expected in 2027.
One thing is already clear: plenty of Harry Potter fans are ready to decide which side they're on.
