Five of the biggest takeaways from this week's LEGO 2026 reveals

Five of the biggest takeaways from this week's LEGO 2026 reveals

This week has been a whirlwind of LEGO reveals ahead of 2026, but these are just some of the new features that have jumped out at us.

Feel like you're drowning in LEGO reveals? No, just us? So many LEGO reveals are a good problem to have, but it can mean that some exciting LEGO developments get missed in the chaos. With dozens of LEGO sets revealed across various themes this week, we've picked out some of the most intriguing and impressive features of the bunch.

Remember you can always keep up to date with what's on the way in 2026 with our up-to-date page of everything confirmed and rumoured for next year.

BrickHeadz Max's hair

LEGO BrickHeadz Stranger Things 40879 Eleven Max Demogorgon and Holly Figures 3 1200x544

LEGO BrickHeadz might not be the most exciting sets in the system, but the detail and depth that's gone into Max's hair in 40879 Eleven, Max, Demogorgon and Holly Figures is a real work of art, especially at such a small piece count. It's a small thing, but no less impressive. An honourable mention also has to go to the use of dark red leaves to mimic the gaping mouth of the Demogorgon, proving that even the unlikeliest of themes like BrickHeadz can be a source of fun building techniques and parts usage.

LEGO City is packed with references

Long-term LEGO fans will have at least a few nostalgic chuckles if you look closely at the January 2026 City wave. Several of the sets feature some great references, such as the Aqua Raiders logo in 60503 Coast Guard Helicopter, a flight boarding to Fabuland in 60502 Airport with Airplane, and references to Bricksburg in several sets, including 60487 Yellow Taxi.

It's little references like these that make the LEGO system, and especially long-running themes like City, feel like a growing ecosystem that ties things together from decades ago. We reckon nods to classic LEGO sub-themes and collections like these could pull in adult fans to the typically child-focused City theme.

First look at LEGO FIFA

LEGO Editions 43020 FIFA World Cup Official Trophy featured

We've got our first look at 43020 FIFA World Cup Official Trophy, the first official set under the new Editions theme, and we can draw some conclusions about what this theme seems to be doing. While this is only one set for now of course, the branding and the display-focused style of it suggest that theme wil be geared towards adults.

While it doesn't have the all-black branding of an 18+ set, it's clearly meant for display, with a price tag for those with more of a LEGO budget than pocket money, retailing at £159.99 / $199.99 / €179.99. That said, the LEGO Group clearly isn't afraid to play around in Editions, incorporating interactive features like a hidey hole for a minifigure in the ball of the trophy.

Meta LEGO elements at a cheaper price

LEGO City 60500 The LEGO Van

Returning to LEGO City, it's well worth noting that the LEGO Group has made the adorably meta tiny LEGO set elements and the LEGO van branding more accessible in the £25 60500 The LEGO Van, previously seen in the larger and more expensive 60440 Yellow Delivery Truck. For those not wanting to fork out £90 for the novelty, we believe 60500 The LEGO Van will quickly become a fan favourite, at an affordable price that can easily slip into a basket to get closer to a GWP minimum spend, for example.

The trajectory of LEGO Star Wars in one set

Last but not least, looking at 75452 BB-8 seems to speak to the current state of LEGO Star Wars, particularly when compared to the now-retired 75187 BB-8. The design feels a lot more simplistic, which is only understandable considering it uses half the pieces. However, it comes in at roughly the same price.

Even adjusting for inflation since 2017, it feels like a steep increase for a seemingly less detailed and aesthetic product. Looking at the other droids on the market, 75452 BB-8 doesn't deliver the same depth or charm as 75379 R2-D2, for example – despite costing almost as much.

These kinds of reactions have been echoing through the LEGO Star Wars community in the last few days, and it speaks to the mood from fans, especially after a year of seemingly overpriced LEGO Star Wars releases.

Thanks for supporting the work that Brick Fanatics does by buying your LEGO sets using our affiliate links!

Comments

Your email won't be published
Be respectful. No spam or profanity.