Penang is set to host the largest edition of the World Miniature Hobby Show (WMHS) and Malaysia Competition (MALCOM) on 13 and 14 June 2026, with participants, artists, and hobby enthusiasts travelling from 26 countries and regions. The 11th edition of the event takes place at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre and is expected to draw an estimated 30,000 visitors over two days.
The show will feature 100 exhibitors and marks the first time the event has been staged at the upgraded Setia SPICE Convention Centre, offering a larger and more comfortable venue with enhanced facilities. Admission is priced at RM10 for both days.
Participating countries and regions include Australia, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Russia, the Philippines, Venezuela, the United States, Spain, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Vietnam, Myanmar, the Netherlands, Macau, Lebanon, France, Bangladesh, and Brunei.
This year’s edition introduces new competition categories, including Mecha/Maschinen Krieger and Anime and Garage Kit, broadening the event’s appeal to hobbyists and collectors across a wider range of genres and skill levels. The additions reflect growing global interest in anime-inspired model-making and the mecha genre, both of which have large and dedicated followings across Asia and beyond.
Free daily stage demonstrations by world-class artists will be held throughout the event, with no prior registration required. Families with children can also visit the Junior’s Corner, a hands-on activity zone where younger attendees can assemble model kits and engage with miniature hobbies in an interactive setting.
Wong Hon Wai, Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy, highlighted the event’s growing international profile. “WMHS and MALCOM has evolved into an event of international standing, attracting participants and visitors from across continents,” he said. “Its continued growth reflects Penang’s ability to host specialised, high-quality global events that bring together communities of passion and creativity. The 2026 edition at Setia SPICE Convention Centre further strengthens Penang’s position on the world stage as a hub for creative and niche international gatherings.”
The WMHS and MALCOM series has established itself as one of the leading gatherings in the global miniature and scale modelling hobby community. The competition element, MALCOM, pits entrants against one another across a range of categories judged to international standards, with participants having previously come from across Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania.
Penang, a UNESCO World Heritage city, has increasingly positioned itself as a destination for specialist international events and business tourism. The Setia SPICE Convention Centre is one of the island’s primary venues for large-scale conventions and exhibitions, and its upgraded facilities are expected to support the expanded footprint of this year’s show.
With its expanded scale, new competition categories, and strong international participation, WMHS and MALCOM 2026 is set to further raise Penang’s profile as a leading destination for creative industries and global hobby culture. The event is organised in partnership with the Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB).
