Gang Wars 2026

Chicago, 1920s. The city is yours to take — if you're ruthless enough.

In this competitive deck-building and area-control game, you lead a criminal gang fighting for dominance over Chicago's neighborhoods during Prohibition. Control the streets, run your Speakeasies, sell alcohol, and outmaneuver your rivals — all while staying one step ahead of the police and the relentless Eliot Ness.

Each of the 4 rounds is divided into five phases. During Disposition, alcohol barrels are placed across the city, police are deployed, an Event card shakes up the situation, and players recruit Associates and draw their hand. During Execution, players take turns choosing between playing cards to perform an Action or drawing extra cards to reorganize. Actions include sending Thugs to neighborhoods, moving units, selling alcohol, running a drive-by shooting, placing vehicles, bribing your way to control, or recovering Thugs from prison. After acting, players may complete a Job from the open market for ongoing bonuses. The Detention phase sees the police and Eliot Ness sweep their adjacent neighborhoods, confiscating barrels and sending Thugs to prison. During Extortion, each player collects income from their Speakeasies. Finally, Progression advances the round tracker and rotates the first player.

After 4 rounds, players count their dollars: cash behind their screen, Job card values, Influence converted to money, Cars on the streets, minus a penalty for Thugs still in prison. The richest gang boss wins.

Can you build the most powerful criminal empire in Chicago — or will Eliot Ness shut you down?

—description from the publisher