Was LEGO’s BrickLink Series 7 Rigged?
LEGO’s BrickLink Designer Program has just announced the 5 winners of series 7. But is this the most disappointing and controversial series so far? Have LEGO rigged what is being chosen? Read on to find out or, if you prefer, watch this video:
You can also check out the longer, uncut version on Rumble which tackles a few of the more controversial topics.
The BrickLink Designer Program Series 7 finalists have been announced, and while some picks were expected, others have raised a few eyebrows. With growing concerns about LEGO’s selection process, it’s time to ask the big question: Was LEGO’s BrickLink Series 7 Rigged?
How Does LEGO Choose BrickLink Finalists?
LEGO’s selection process for the BrickLink Designer Program (BDP) has always been a mystery. While fan support plays a role, it’s clear that other factors—potentially internal business decisions—also influence which sets get approved. Some projects that seemed like surefire hits were left out, while others with less obvious mass appeal made the cut.
Let’s break down the selected sets and examine whether LEGO’s decision-making process is as transparent as it should be.
The BrickLink Series 7 Finalists
1. Sushi Restaurant – An Expected Winner
The Sushi Restaurant was a no-brainer for approval. It had overwhelming fan support, high-quality detailing, and had already gained traction in Series 6 before losing out to the Gold Mine (by the same designer). Given its previous popularity, this win was predictable and well-deserved.
However, LEGO’s history with “Oriental-style” sets is mixed. While themes like Ninjago and Monkie Kid dominate, fan-designed Asian-inspired sets rarely make it through LEGO Ideas. This selection suggests LEGO is finally listening to demand rather than avoiding certain themes.
Expect this to be one of the fastest-selling BDP sets when crowdfunding opens in February 2026.
2. The Antique Collection – A Puzzling Pick
While beautifully designed, The Antique Collection raised questions. It lacks minifigures—unusual for a display set of this style—and differs significantly from previous BrickLink-approved models.
The selection of this set suggests LEGO may be prioritizing variety over predictability, but it also highlights the lack of transparency in how projects are chosen. Fans never get to see actual vote counts, leaving room for speculation about LEGO’s internal motives.
3. Privateer Frigate Fortuna – Why Now?
The Privateer Frigate Fortuna was a long-time fan favorite that had been rejected multiple times in previous rounds. So why approve it now?
One possible reason is that LEGO has finally cleared space in its lineup. With recent ships like The Endurance, The Going Merry, and the upcoming Goonies ship, there was previously no room for another large-scale pirate vessel. Now that these releases are out of the way, LEGO is allowing this long-awaited ship to move forward.
Despite its 4,000-piece count and high price, it’s almost guaranteed to be a top seller.
4. W.A.L.T. the Robot – A Surprise Pick
The selection of WALT the Robot was completely unexpected. With just 663 pieces, it’s the smallest finalist, and it didn’t have as many visible comments or discussions in the community compared to other contenders.
This raises an important question: How is LEGO measuring fan demand? Without public vote counts, we’re left to guess whether LEGO is balancing variety, avoiding competition with existing themes, or simply picking whatever it likes.
Still, it’s a charming, quirky set that will appeal to collectors who enjoy character-based builds.
5. The Alchemist Shop – A Win for Fantasy Fans
The Alchemist Shop was a strong contender from the start, following the success of previous medieval-style builds like The Alchemist Workshop. While it’s not a full-fledged castle, it continues the fantasy aesthetic that many fans love.
Interestingly, Series 7 contains no traditional castle sets. Given the Creator 3-in-1 castle coming in Summer 2026, LEGO may be strategically spacing out medieval releases to avoid saturation.
This might annoy castle enthusiasts, but it could also encourage higher-quality submissions in future BDP rounds rather than an overwhelming flood of castle builds.
Is LEGO Controlling BrickLink Approvals?
One major concern from fans is whether LEGO manipulates the selection process to fit its own business interests rather than purely following votes. Some points to consider:
- Delayed approvals: Sets like the Privateer Frigate Fortuna were previously rejected despite overwhelming support.
- The absence of vote counts: Fans can comment but never see exact voting numbers.
- Potential conflicts with upcoming LEGO releases: If LEGO has similar sets planned, certain BDP submissions seem to get pushed aside.
While LEGO undoubtedly has commercial reasons for its choices, greater transparency would go a long way in keeping fans engaged and ensuring trust in the process.
Conclusion – Was BrickLink Series 7 Rigged?
“Rigged” might be a strong word, but it’s clear that LEGO has a significant hand in guiding what gets approved beyond just fan votes. Some choices—like the Sushi Restaurant—were expected, while others, like the Privateer Frigate, took surprisingly long to make it through.
At the very least, LEGO should release vote counts so fans know how much influence they truly have. Until then, speculation will continue.
What Do You Think?
Do you agree with LEGO’s picks for Series 7? Do you think the selection process is fair, or is LEGO steering it to fit its own agenda? Let me know in the comments!
