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Wizards Play Network
Wizards Play Network
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The Wizards Play Network (WPN) is the official sanctioning body for competitive play in Magic: The Gathering (Magic) and various other games produced by Wizards of the Coast and its subsidiaries, such as Avalon Hill. Originally, it was known as the DCI (formerly Duelists' Convocation International) but was rebranded in 2008.[1][2][3] The WPN provided game rules, tournament operating procedures, and other materials to private tournament organizers and players. It also operated a judge certification program to provide consistent rules enforcement and promote fair play.[4] The DCI's name was still commonly used, however, to refer to the player registration number ("DCI number") until 2020.[5][6][7]

Key Information

History

[edit]
The former DCI logo.

The DCI was formed in late 1993, and developed Magic's first tournament sanctioning and deckbuilding rules.[8] Over the next decades, it filled several roles in Magic's organized play. It maintained policy documents as changes were needed, addressed new questions and supported new product releases.[9][10] It maintained the registration systems for both players and sanctioned tournaments.[11][2] It also developed and operated a certification program for tournament officials, known as Judges.[4]

Over time, the roles of the DCI were gradually absorbed by other organizations, such as Wizards of the Coast itself through its Wizards Play Network (WPN) program,[1] or through the independent Judge Program.[12][13] Part of the 2008 Wizards Play Network rebrand was "in response to feedback from organizers, particularly retailers".[3] This also opened up Magic pre-release tournaments to participating WPN stores.[14] Per the industry trade ICv2, the WPN was designed to include "a wider range of casual formats, including leagues, multi-player, and team play. Current sanctioned programs will remain; the new programs will be in addition to those that already exist"; previously, "the entire array of Magic organized play events was all one-on-one sanctioned tournament play".[3] In May 2009, Wizards of the Coast announced that 138,500 active Magic players were registered in the new organized play program since launching the WPN.[15]

Also in 2009, stores at the WPN Core level or higher were allowed to release Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) products before the official publication date.[16] In 2010, Wizards of the Coast restricted organized play not associated with a participating store; many sanctioned Magic and D&D events were now required to be hosted at a participating store or sponsored by a participating store.[17] Wizards of the Coast began to advertise the D&D Encounters program, a D&D equivalent of Friday Night Magic, under the WPN umbrella in 2010.[18][19] From 2014 to 2016, the D&D Adventurers League could only be run at participating WPN locations.[20][21] Scott Thorne, for ICv2 in 2014, wrote that the WPN organized play is highly structured with stores expected, or at least encouraged, to run OP events, either provided by WotC itself (Friday Night Magic, Magic Game Days, the late Kaijudo Draft program, D&D Encounters and so forth and so on), or set up by the store (Magic, casual Magic, casual Dungeons & Dragons). Stores can either schedule events weeks or months in advance, with promotional materials and support often provided (sometimes hundreds of dollars' worth of support), or set something up on the fly, as a group of players come in and settles down for an evening of Magic or D&D. The company has made the DCI Reporter software integral to its OP program and updates the software on a regular basis. The weekly sales tips sent out from Wizards' Customer Support usually (but not always) focus on how to enhance a store’s OP program as integral to the success of Magic and, to a lesser extent, Dungeons & Dragons.[22]

In March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wizards of the Coast suspended in-store events in North America, Europe, and Latin America.[23][24] In response to the in-person suspension, Wizards of the Coast launched the Friday Night Magic at Home program utilizing the online game Magic: The Gathering Arena.[23] Then in October 2020, Wizards of the Coast announced a new ongoing ticketed series for Dungeons & Dragons called D&D Virtual Play Weekends which are organized by Baldman Games. This monthly event includes the option of either Adventurers League legal games or non-AL games.[25][26][27] In May 2021, the in-store suspension was lifted in the United States, Japan and Africa but not in Latin America or Europe.[28][29]

In 2024, WPN started a pilot program called "Avalon Hill Game Nights" which focuses on "evergreen titles that WotC is increasing availability for to WPN stores via distribution. These titles include the HeroQuest line, Betrayal at House on the Hill, The Yawning Portal, and Risk and Risk Strike".[30] The pilot program is scheduled to begin in July 2024 at "200 WPN stores in the U.S. and Canada".[30]

WPN sanctioned events

[edit]

In order to play in sanctioned events, players must register for membership. Previously, players would receive a DCI number. This number is up to 10 digits long, and uniquely identifies a competitor in a sanctioned tournament. In 2017, players were encouraged to create a Wizards Account which would include a player's DCI number.[5][31] Starting in 2020, there was a transition to sanctioned events requiring a player to have a Wizards Account instead of a DCI number.[32][6]

The WPN previously maintained a global player ratings database[2] (formerly based on a variation of the Elo rating system; then based on "Planeswalker Points", earned for participating in events as well as for each win[33]) and members had access to their entire tournament history online. However, in 2020, both the database and "Planeswalker Points" were retired.[32][6][34][7] Newsweek reported that "your DCI number and the website that lets you track your tournament process back decades will be taken offline [...]. Players have been responding on reddit and Twitter to the removal of the archival with either disdain or acceptance".[34] Epicstream commented that the "move to remove the old Planeswalker Points system is understandable. The Wizards Account and Companion app will simplify everything, and due to privacy laws, local game stores can no longer store local databases so each player will need to type the event into the app or give the organizer their Wizards Account email address".[35]

If a member commits frequent or flagrant rules infractions, their membership can be suspended for variable amounts of time depending on the severity, from one month to lifetime.[36][37][38]

Participating stores

[edit]

The WPN outlines various rules participating stores must follow along with various metrics they must meet in order to stay in the WPN network.[39][40][41] Since January 2018, Wizards of the Coast has required participating stores to pay for background checks (where legal) on employees or others involved in the administering of WPN events. Additionally, Wizards of the Coast made an explicit "requirement that WPN stores not employ staff or engage others whose names appear on a sex offender registry 'and/or have been convicted... for a violent sexual offense or a crime against children'." Milton Griepp, for the industry trade ICv2, commented that this change occurred after recent social media coverage on a Magic judge who "was discovered to be listed on a sex offenders registry. To make things worse, the situation had been reported to an email address maintained by Magic Judges, 'an independent community-run organization that operates and manages the judge community and the Judge Conduct Committee,' way back in July 2017".[42]

Stores were previously divided into levels (Core, Advanced and Advanced Plus) and received different benefits based on their store level.[43][44][40] Since 2019, stores are divided into WPN Stores and WPN Premium Stores ("about 5% of all WPN stores").[45][46] Metrics are measured by what WPN calls Tickets and Engaged Players. Tickets are "the total number of entries across all of a store’s Magic: The Gathering events" and Engaged Players are "players who join six events, in either Standard, Draft, or Sealed, per year".[41] To stay in the WPN Network, stores must reach a minimum of 5 Engaged players and 250 Tickets per year.[41] Stores will also receive player incentives, such as promo packs, based on their exact metrics.[41]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these metrics were suspended. However, Wizards of the Coast began encouraging WPN stores to run events again by resuming metric counts in July 2021. Jeffrey Dohm-Sanchez, for ICv2, highlighted that this metric rollout was limited to the US region with other regions to follow in the future. He wrote that "retailers will have an entire year to build up their metrics for allocations as a grace period, and during this time, allocations will either be based on the Q1 2020 or live metrics. After the grace period ends, the live metrics will determine allocations. It is also to be noted that all formats will now count towards the Engaged Players portion of the metrics. Prior to the pandemic, only Standard, Booster Draft and Sealed events counted towards this metric. Now, any form of Magic played in a retailer's community can contribute to the number of Engaged Players".[47] Also in 2021, Wizards of the Coast required participating stores to transition from the Wizards Event Reporter (WER) to the Wizards EventLink system in order to stay in the WPN network as the WER was being decommissioned.[48][49]

Tournaments

[edit]
See also: Magic: The Gathering formats and Magic: The Gathering § Tournaments

Ranking

[edit]

Until September 2011, the WPN maintained rules and assigned players ratings for three basic categories in Magic: Constructed, Eternal, and Limited. These categories recorded a player's ranking based on their records of wins and losses. A fourth rating category, Composite, was the average of a player's Constructed and Limited ratings. Starting in 2010, the WPN introduced a new rating category, called Total rating. This rating replaced most of the existing individual ratings. While the other ratings were still published, Total replaced the other categories for rating-based invitations and byes.[50]

The rating system was discontinued in 2011 in favor of a points-based system, known as Planeswalker Points, administered by Wizards of the Coast. This system awarded points for participating in a tournament, as well as additional points for each win during the event. This system replaced the rating system for invitations and byes.[51][52] In 2020, Planeswalker Points were retired.[32][34][7]

Judge Program

[edit]
Main article: Magic: The Gathering Judge Program

The WPN was also the home of the Judge Program. Early in Magic's competitive history, the event's organizers needed a system for training and certifying qualified tournament officials. To have a measure of capability of the judges the WPN introduced judge levels.[53] Over time the Judge Program grew and transformed, and is now an independent organization.

Friday Night Magic

[edit]
Main article: Friday Night Magic

"Thousands of games shops" participate in Friday Night Magic (FNM),[54] an event sponsored by the WPN; it is advertised as "the event where new players can approach the game, and start building their community".[55] FNM offers both sanctioned tournament formats and all casual formats.[56][57] In 2018, The New Yorker reported that "even as it has grown in popularity and size, Magic flies low to the ground. It thrives on the people who gather at lunch tables, in apartments, or in one of the six thousand stores worldwide that Wizards has licensed to put on weekly tournaments dubbed Friday Night Magic".[58] FNM tournaments can act as a stepping-stone to more competitive play.[59]

Major tournaments

[edit]
Main article: Magic: The Gathering Organized Play

Other tournaments

[edit]

Pre-release tournaments are held in hundreds of locations around the world several days before each new expansion, or set, is available for sale in stores. The pre-release provides a casual play atmosphere and a preview of new cards and sets. Before 2008, pre-release tournaments were limited to those with Premier Tournament Organizer status; it was then opened up to WPN stores.[60][14][15]

Friday Night Magic (FNM) tournaments and Arena Leagues (currently defunct) are offered in many stores and clubs, allowing players to compete for special foil promo cards and other prizes (rarely involving a cash top prize). These tournaments are mostly for amateurs and first-time players seeking a start in professional play. The WPN will also run other regional tournaments such as the 2021 Store Challenger Series for participating WPN stores in the APAC region.[61]

Many other stores, school clubs, and community groups hold WPN-sanctioned events on a regular basis. Events are also held at almost all gaming conventions, such as Origins and Gen Con. In addition, some companies hold tournament series for Magic: The Gathering at locations across the US outside of WPN regulation.

Hecatomb

[edit]

Hecatomb was supported by the DCI over its short lifetime.[62][63] In August 2006, it was announced that the game would no longer be produced by Wizards of the Coast, and the DCI ceased to support it.[64]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Wizards Play Network

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The Wizards Play Network (WPN) is a global program operated by that supports organized play and community building for its flagship games, including Magic: The Gathering and , through partnerships with retail game stores. Launched in 2009 with approximately 2,000 member stores, the network has grown to encompass nearly 9,000 locations worldwide as of 2025, providing resources to host events, distribute promotional materials, and foster player engagement. The program's structure emphasizes scalability and quality of play, evolving in 2019 from a tiered system (Core, Advanced, Advanced Plus) to a base membership model with an elite WPN Premium designation for top-performing stores. WPN Premium, achieved by fewer than 5% of members based on metrics like event attendance (Tickets) and player retention (Engaged Players, defined as those attending at least six Standard, Draft, or Sealed events per year), grants exclusive benefits such as priority support, custom signage, and enhanced promotional allocations. All members receive core tools, including event kits, marketing assets, and access to Wizards EventLink for scheduling and reporting, enabling stores to run formats like Prereleases, nights, and Dungeons & Dragons one-shot sessions. Key initiatives under WPN focus on accessibility and growth, such as introductory play programs (e.g., Magic Academy and ) and partnerships like the 2025 collaboration with TCGplayer to highlight certified stores on its marketplace. In 2024, the network expanded support with new in-store events and product launches, reflecting its role in sustaining a quadrupled growth in organized Magic: The Gathering play over the prior decade. Through these efforts, WPN serves as the primary sanctioning body for gaming communities, rewarding stores that prioritize inclusive, high-quality experiences.

History

Origins and Establishment

The Duelists' Convocation International (DCI) was established by Wizards of the Coast in September 1993 as the official sanctioning body for competitive Magic: The Gathering play. Its core functions encompassed developing and enforcing tournament rules, managing player registration via unique DCI numbers to track participation and ratings, and administering a judge certification program to promote consistent rules application and fair competition across events. This structure enabled organized play shortly after Magic's debut, fostering a global network of tournaments and ensuring standardized experiences for players. Following Wizards of the Coast's acquisition of in 1998, the DCI broadened its scope in the late to support organized play for additional games beyond Magic: The Gathering. This expansion included sanctioning events for other collectible card games produced by Wizards, such as , which launched in August 2005 and received DCI support until its discontinuation in 2006 due to low sales. The DCI's role in these initiatives helped standardize competitive formats and for Wizards' growing portfolio of titles. In October 2008, the DCI underwent a to become the Wizards Play Network (WPN), evolving from the preceding Gateway program that had focused on in-store organized play since the early 2000s. The WPN aimed to empower local game stores by supplying event-hosting resources, promotional materials, and community-building tools, thereby shifting emphasis toward store-led initiatives while retaining core sanctioning functions. The rebranding spurred rapid initial adoption, with approximately 2,000 stores joining as WPN members by early 2009. By May 2009, announced that over 138,500 active Magic players had registered through the program since its launch, highlighting its success in expanding organized play participation.

Major Developments and Rebranding

In , overhauled the Wizards Play Network (WPN) program to better support growing in-store communities, replacing the tiered store levels with a simplified base membership model featuring an elite WPN Premium designation for qualifying stores. The WPN Premium, initially available to any participant meeting rigorous metrics such as 3,000 event tickets and 60 engaged players annually (subsequently adjusted downward in and 2023 to broaden eligibility), with fewer than 5% of stores qualifying. Benefits for Premium stores included exclusive promotional products, such as packs containing rare or mythic cards, alternate-art basic lands, and season-specific foils, alongside enhanced marketing support and priority placement in the Store and Event Locator tool. The following year, amid ongoing program refinements, Wizards retired the Planeswalker Points system on May 27, 2020, ending eight years of tracking player achievements and removing access to the associated website. Concurrently, the company began phasing out Duplicated Card Identification (DCI) numbers, which had originated in 1993 for player registration, in favor of unified Wizards Accounts to streamline in-store play, , and event participation. This shift required players to create or link Wizards Accounts for future events, with DCI numbers retained only for select esports through 2021 before full discontinuation by late 2022. The prompted rapid adaptations in 2020, including the launch of at Home on March 27 to enable remote play via MTG Arena when in-store gatherings were restricted. This digital version allowed players to compete in weekly formats without physical attendance, earning rewards like in-game cosmetics tied to performance. Wizards also supported through virtual events such as D&D Celebration 2020, a three-day online gathering in September featuring live streams, designer panels, and the largest virtual tabletop roleplaying session ever, hosted on platforms like and to foster community amid lockdowns. In 2021, WPN transitioned to the EventLink platform, a comprehensive tool for event scheduling, player registration, and automated reporting, building on its initial 2020 alpha launch to improve store compliance tracking via integrated metrics. By 2024, this system facilitated expansions like the Game Nights pilot, inviting 200 U.S. and Canadian WPN stores to host demo events for strategy board games such as , complete with promotional materials and dice to broaden engagement beyond games. In November 2025, named TCGplayer the preferred for WPN, integrating certified stores into its platform to boost discoverability and commerce. The program's growth continued, reaching nearly 9,600 participating stores globally by the third quarter of 2025, with a focus on inclusive community events across Wizards' portfolio.

Store Participation

Requirements for Joining

Any physical retail store worldwide with a focus on hobby gaming can apply to join the (WPN), provided it carries products and meets regional approval criteria. Approval is at Wizards' discretion, with applications submitted through the official WPN support site by selecting the applicant's region and providing store details, including agreement to Wizards' terms and conditions; there are no upfront fees associated with the process. Upon submission, applicants must complete the mandatory WPN Orientation Program, which provides training on programs, event management, player engagement, and store operations to ensure readiness for participation. Successful completion of this program, typically within the initial weeks, leads to official membership. To maintain membership, stores must meet annual baseline metrics tracked through Wizards EventLink software: generating at least 250 event tickets (total player entries across all Magic: The Gathering events reported via Wizards EventLink) and 5 Engaged Players annually, where Engaged Players are defined as those with official Wizards Accounts who participate in 6 or more events at the store in a rolling calendar year. Metrics are reviewed annually starting in October, with stores notified of any shortfalls and given 90 days to comply or risk removal from the network. Ongoing obligations include adhering to event guidelines, accurately reporting results via EventLink, maintaining professional conduct, ensuring staff compliance with policies, and upholding player privacy through the Wizards Account system, including data protection under applicable laws. Stores must also avoid counterfeit products, host events at approved physical locations, and report any violations to WPN support. Upon approval, stores gain access to sanctioned event kits, promotional materials such as Buy-a-Box items, and community resources including marketing support and training tools. These benefits support event hosting and player community building, with the 2019 WPN rebranding having simplified participation by eliminating tiered levels in favor of a baseline model with optional premium upgrades.

WPN Premium Benefits

The Wizards Play Network (WPN) Premium program recognizes exemplary game stores that exceed standard participation levels by providing exceptional player experiences and meeting elevated operational standards. Launched in 2019, it rewards top-performing stores with enhanced visibility and resources to foster community growth. To qualify for WPN Premium status, stores must first be active WPN members and apply through a structured that includes submitting a store floorplan, recording a comprehensive video walkthrough, maintaining an online storefront with official marketing materials, and achieving a 90% or higher score on a secret shopper evaluation. Additionally, applicants must satisfy the WPN Premium Quality Checklist, which covers aspects like event space, product display, and inclusivity. Qualification also requires meeting annual metrics tracked via Wizards EventLink: 1,500 total event tickets (entries across all Magic: The Gathering events in a rolling ), 30 engaged players (registered Wizards Account holders attending six or more events annually), and 10 activated players (first-year participants meeting the same attendance threshold). WPN Premium stores receive exclusive perks designed to elevate their operations and attract players. These include priority placement in the official Store & Event Locator for increased discoverability, access to limited-edition products such as the Commander Collection Premium Edition, and dedicated promotional items like unique promo cards unavailable to standard WPN stores. Participants also gain eligibility for special events, including preview events for new releases, and quarterly selections of custom marketing materials, such as branded storage solutions and signage kits. These benefits extend to supported games beyond Magic: The Gathering, including , enabling co-branded event enhancements. Further support for Premium stores involves collaboration with a Retail Development Specialist, who guides the application, provides ongoing assistance, and helps optimize store layouts and event programming. This dedicated guidance helps maintain high standards and maximizes the impact of exclusive resources. The program, by focusing on elite performers, has enabled Premium stores to host distinctive events that drive player engagement and community loyalty since its inception. Status is reviewed annually through metrics verification, with the first check in 2024 for established stores, with new WPN members exempt from the first check if they have less than one year of operation. Failure to meet requirements results in downgrade to standard WPN participation, ensuring the designation remains reserved for consistently outstanding venues.

Sanctioned Events

Local and Casual Events

Local and casual events form the foundation of the Wizards Play Network (WPN), offering accessible, store-based play opportunities designed to foster community engagement and introduce players to games without high-stakes competition. These events emphasize fun, social interaction, and low-barrier entry, typically held at participating game stores on a weekly or monthly basis, and include promotional items such as exclusive cards or tokens as rewards, alongside store-specific prizes to encourage repeat participation. By providing these gatherings, WPN aims to build lasting player loyalty and create welcoming environments for newcomers and veterans alike. Core formats include Prerelease events for new Magic: The Gathering sets, where participants build decks from sealed product shortly before official release, allowing early access and hands-on experience with fresh expansions. Commander Nights feature casual multiplayer games in the popular format, often with themed promos to enhance the social atmosphere. For , Adventurers League sessions provide structured, ongoing campaigns or one-shot adventures that enable character progression across multiple stores, held weekly or monthly to suit varied schedules. These formats prioritize enjoyment over rankings, with rules enforcement at a casual level to keep the focus on storytelling and strategy. Stores schedule and report these events using Wizards EventLink, a digital tool that streamlines planning, registration, and results submission to ensure consistent organization. All events must adhere to WPN's inclusivity guidelines, including a that promotes safe, welcoming spaces for diverse players, such as families, minors, and underrepresented groups. In 2025, notable examples include Standard Showdown events for Magic: The Gathering, running weekly from November 21, 2025, to January 15, 2026, tied to the crossover set, where players compete in the Standard format for promo rewards. Additionally, crossover events like the Commander Party for , scheduled December 5–11, 2025, and January 9–15, 2026, combine casual play with unique promos to attract fans of both Magic and the source material. These local events often serve as a gateway for players interested in progressing to more structured competitive formats.

Competitive and Regional Events

The Competitive and Regional Events in the Wizards Play Network bridge local gameplay to professional pathways through structured, sanctioned tournaments hosted primarily at WPN stores and partner venues. These events emphasize competitive formats and advancement opportunities, serving as qualifiers that build on casual local play to foster skill development and . Regional Championship Qualifiers (RCQs) form a core component, with the second wave scheduled from August 2 to November 9, 2025, accessible at all WPN stores and destination venues to maximize participation across regions. Additional formats include Store Championships, which are store-level competitive events, and the Spotlight Series, featuring themed multi-day events like those highlighting Pioneer format play. These tournaments employ a multi-round Swiss pairing system for initial rounds, followed by advancement for top finishers to determine qualifiers; prizes consist of promotional cards, playmats, and invitations to Pro Tours earned through progression to Regional Championships. Participation requires a valid Wizards Account for registration and eligibility, with event capacities limited to 128–512 players based on store or venue size to ensure smooth operations. The 2025 RCQ schedule underscores broad accessibility, enabling stores to host events that draw from local communities while qualifying top performers for subsequent regional stages. In 2024, the program grew by incorporating Eternal Weekends focused on Legacy and formats, adding dedicated regional events in multiple global locations to diversify competitive opportunities beyond rotating formats. Eternal Weekends continued in 2025 with additional regional events, including one in in October 2025.

Tournaments

Player Ranking System

The Wizards Play Network (WPN) player ranking system, implemented following the retirement of the Planeswalker Points program in April 2020, tracks player achievements through event finishes and resulting invitations rather than accumulating numerical points. Players register results using a Wizards Account, which logs participation and outcomes across sanctioned WPN events via the EventLink platform. This shift emphasizes direct qualification based on performance, eliminating the prior Elo-like rating structure to streamline progression in competitive play. The system organizes player progression into three primary tiers: local, regional, and invitational. Local-tier events, hosted at WPN stores, include formats like and Regional Championship Qualifiers (RCQs), where top finishes—typically the top 4 to 8 players—earn invitations to regional events. Regional-tier competitions, such as Regional Championships, build on these qualifications, awarding invites to the invitational tier based on strong placements, such as top 8 finishes, which grant entry to Pro Tour events. EventLink facilitates this tracking by integrating with the Magic Companion App, allowing players to report results digitally and ensuring cross-platform recognition, though it does not connect directly to Magic: The Gathering Online for tabletop results. High-performing players benefit from byes in the Swiss rounds of larger tournaments, determined by prior finishes at qualifying events, and access to exclusive invitations for major competitions. These perks, outlined in the Magic: The Gathering Tournament Rules and Premier Tournament Invitation Policy, reward consistent success without a centralized numerical leaderboard, though quarterly performance summaries highlight top players regionally. In 2025, the system emphasizes format-specific pathways, with RCQs and subsequent events dedicated to formats like Standard, Modern, Pioneer, and Limited to promote diverse participation and specialized skill development.

Judge Program

The Judge Program certifies and supports individuals who officiate sanctioned events across the Wizards Play Network, ensuring consistent rule enforcement and fair competition in supported games like Magic: The Gathering. The official program, which maintained a tiered structure ranging from Level 1 (suitable for local events such as ) to Level 5 (reserved for high-stakes Pro Tours and international championships), was discontinued by in 2021. Since then, independent organizations such as Judge Foundry and the International Judge Program have managed judge , training, and support for WPN events, often using similar level structures. typically requires passing written exams on rules and , along with practical tests demonstrating skills, facilitated through portals like Judge Apps for application, testing, and tracking. Judges play essential roles in all sanctioned tournaments, including enforcing comprehensive tournament rules, conducting deck construction and construction verification checks, resolving player disputes impartially, and coordinating overall event logistics to promote a positive experience. These responsibilities are outlined in the Magic Tournament Rules, which mandate the presence of qualified judges to uphold integrity, with the Head Judge overseeing the team and floor judges handling on-site operations. For larger events, multiple judges collaborate to manage pairings, time calls, and infraction procedures, adapting to formats from casual to competitive REL (Regular and Competitive Rules Enforcement Levels). Training within the program emphasizes accessibility and , offering free online resources such as rule quizzes, policy guides, and interactive modules via official judge portals, complemented by regional conferences for hands-on workshops and pairings with experienced . Aspiring begin at Level 1 by judging a minimum number of events under supervision, progressing through demonstrated competence and peer recommendations, while maintenance involves periodic recertification exams and event participation to stay current with updates. This structure has cultivated a dedicated global community, with historical peaks exceeding 10,000 certified supporting WPN events worldwide. The program has undergone significant evolution, including integration with the Wizards Account system in 2020 to unify user profiles, event registrations, and tracking for seamless access across WPN platforms. Following the , emphasis shifted toward hybrid judging models, enabling officials to support online and virtual events through digital tools for remote rule adjudication and dispute resolution, ensuring continuity for sanctioned play during restrictions. In 2025, initiated revival efforts for an in-house program by posting a job opening for a dedicated Manager for the Magic Judge Program in July 2025, signaling renewed investment in official and support structures. Incentives for judges include travel reimbursements for high-level assignments at regional and premier events, such as covering flights and accommodations for Level 4 and 5 officials staffing Pro Tours, alongside formal recognition in official event reports and community spotlights to acknowledge contributions. These measures encourage retention and excellence, with advanced judges often receiving priority invitations to major tournaments and opportunities for leadership roles in program development.

Friday Night Magic

Friday Night Magic (FNM) is the flagship weekly event series within the Wizards Play Network, designed for casual-competitive play in Magic: The Gathering at participating local game stores. These events typically occur on Fridays and feature formats such as Booster Draft or Sealed Deck using the latest Standard-legal sets, though stores may also offer alternatives like Standard Constructed or Commander to suit community preferences. Entry fees generally range from $5 to $10 per player, covering participation and often including prize support in the form of promo cards or packs distributed based on performance or attendance. FNM predates the formal launch of the Wizards Play Network in and has long served as a cornerstone of local organized play, evolving to foster community engagement across thousands of stores worldwide. By 2024, the WPN included over 3,300 stores in alone, with many hosting FNM regularly to draw in players of all skill levels. During the in 2020, Wizards introduced FNM at Home, an online counterpart on MTG Arena that allowed remote participation through free-to-enter queues, later rebranded as Midweek Magic to sustain weekly play while in-store events were paused. In 2025, FNM events incorporate thematic elements from Universes Beyond crossovers, such as the Magic: The Gathering | set released on September 26, enabling stores to theme nights around characters like for added excitement. Variants like Two-Headed Giant, a team-based format where pairs share a 60-life total and alternate turns, are commonly featured to encourage social play and inclusivity for new or paired participants. All FNM events are sanctioned through Wizards EventLink, a digital platform for registration, pairings, and results reporting, ensuring fair play under casual or regular rules enforcement levels with Swiss-style bracketing. Top performers receive store credit, additional prizes, and credits toward the player ranking system, which tracks achievements for qualification into larger tournaments. FNM significantly builds player loyalty by providing consistent social opportunities, with stores often customizing events through themed decorations, food and drink pairings, or side activities to enhance the atmosphere. This program contributes to the broader , where organized play sees nearly 40% year-over-year growth in unique participants as of mid-2025, underscoring its role in sustaining engagement among the game's over 50 million players worldwide.

Major and Pro Tour Events

The Major and Pro Tour Events represent the highest level of competition within the Wizards Play Network (WPN), culminating in global championships that attract elite players from around the world. Pro Tours are held quarterly, typically featuring fields of approximately 300 to 400 players, and are hosted during MagicCon weekends, which include side events like artist panels and fan experiences. The 2025 schedule includes Pro Tour Aetherdrift in (February 21–23), Pro Tour Final Fantasy in (June 20–22), and Pro Tour Edge of Eternities in (September 26–28), each integrated into larger MagicCon celebrations. Qualification for Pro Tours occurs through multiple pathways, including top finishes at Regional Championships (RCQs), strong performances at prior Pro Tours, direct invitations for top-ranked players, and qualifiers via MTG Arena, emphasizing digital integration to broaden access. These events span multiple days with rotating formats, such as Standard Constructed on Day 1, Booster Draft on Day 2, and Modern on Day 3 for select tournaments, where players must achieve at least four wins on Day 1 to advance. Broadcast live on Twitch and , they offer substantial prizes, including a $500,000 pool per Pro Tour with $50,000 for the winner, plus product bonuses and invitations to the Magic Pro Tour Hall of Fame based on cumulative performance. The pinnacle is the annual Magic World Championship, limited to the top 32 players from the season's Pro Tours, Regional Championships, and events, held December 5–7, 2025, in . This three-day event features formats like Draft and Standard Constructed, with a $1,000,000 prize pool and up to $100,000 for the champion, alongside Hall of Fame eligibility. In 2025, Wizards enhanced these events with increased diversity initiatives, including promotions and statements reaffirming commitment to equity at MagicCon gatherings, while deepening MTG 's role in qualifiers to promote inclusive participation.

Supported Games

Magic: The Gathering

The Wizards Play Network (WPN) serves as the cornerstone of organized play for Magic: The Gathering, enabling local game stores worldwide to host a wide array of events that cater to both casual and competitive players. As the primary focus of WPN's programming, Magic events encompass formats ranging from relaxed multiplayer games like to structured competitive play in Standard and , fostering community engagement through sanctioned tournaments reported via Wizards EventLink. These events integrate seamlessly with product releases, providing stores with promotional materials, exclusive prizes, and structured schedules to build player loyalty and drive participation. Central to the Magic event ecosystem are prerelease events, (FNM) gatherings, and Regional Championship Qualifiers (RCQs), all synchronized with new set launches to capitalize on excitement around fresh card pools. For instance, the January 2025 prerelease for Innistrad Remastered allowed players to experience remixed gothic horror themes in Sealed Deck formats ahead of its release, while RCQs offer pathways to higher-level competition. In 2025, highlights include Universes Beyond crossovers such as the November 21 release of Magic: The Gathering | , which features dedicated store events emphasizing elemental mechanics and thematic drafts to attract both longtime fans and newcomers. Supporting a global player base exceeding 50 million, WPN enhances accessibility through annual promo sets, such as the Wizards Play Network 2025 collection of 17 cards distributed to participating stores for event incentives. These promos, including foils and alternates tied to , encourage attendance at weekly and seasonal play. Additionally, WPN synergizes with the digital platform MTG Arena by awarding in-game bonuses for event wins, enabling hybrid qualification paths where physical success translates to online rewards and entry into Arena-based championships.

Dungeons & Dragons

The Wizards Play Network (WPN) supports organized play for (D&D) primarily through the Adventurers League, an official ongoing campaign that utilizes the fifth edition rules and is set in the . This program enables players to create persistent characters that can be used across multiple sessions and locations, fostering a shared narrative experience at participating WPN stores and conventions. Modules for the Adventurers League are released periodically, often seasonally, allowing Dungeon Masters (DMs) to run structured adventures that advance the campaign storyline while accommodating drop-in participation. Event types within the WPN framework for D&D include weekly one-shot adventures, which provide self-contained stories suitable for newcomers, as well as epic-level events at major conventions that feature large-scale, multi-table narratives. Additional formats encompass Virtual Play Weekends, enabling remote participation via online platforms, and character tracking is facilitated through integration with D&D Beyond for digital sheets and progression logging. In 2025, content updates include the Spring Flourishes promotional events, running from April 25 to May 25, where participants earn D&D-themed promo cards through draft-style play sessions at WPN stores. These initiatives align with the 2024 One D&D ruleset, which the Adventurers League adopted for all new resources, ensuring compatibility with updated core mechanics while maintaining backward compatibility during a 60-day grace period. WPN provides comprehensive store support for D&D events, including DM rewards through the Adventurers League service awards system, which offers access to magic items, rulebooks, and other incentives based on sessions run. Stores receive adventure kits, such as the Tyranny of Dragons DM Kit, containing digital files and materials for running campaigns, alongside player logbooks for tracking experience and achievements. This support emphasizes inclusive storytelling, encouraging diverse player groups and accessible narratives that promote collaborative role-playing over competitive elements. D&D events have seen notable growth post-2020, driven by enhanced online tools like and virtual event options that expanded accessibility during the pandemic.

Other Titles and Crossovers

The Wizards Play Network (WPN) supports a limited selection of non-core titles through targeted pilot programs, primarily focusing on board games to expand organized play beyond and games. In 2024, WPN launched the Game Nights pilot, offering demo events for evergreen titles such as , with materials tied to expansions like Jungles of the Undying. This initiative initially targeted 200 stores in the U.S. and , emphasizing accessible, demo-style play to introduce players to strategic board games. WPN facilitates crossover events through Magic: The Gathering's Universes Beyond series, integrating licensed intellectual properties into sanctioned play formats. Notable examples include collaborations with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, set for a full product and event release on March 6, 2026, featuring themed tournaments and promos to blend fanbases. Similarly, Marvel's integration supports Standard Showdown events starting in late 2025, with promo cards distributed starting September 26, 2025, to encourage participation in constructed formats. The crossover debuts in November 2025, with WPN stores hosting elemental-themed seasons including release parties and promo-driven gatherings. These non-core offerings feature specialized event formats such as themed demos, prerelease parties, and limited-sanctioned tournaments, which differ from the higher-frequency structures of core programs by prioritizing introductory and promotional play over competitive ladders. Participation rewards often include exclusive promo items, like foil cards or accessories, to incentivize attendance at lower-volume events. In 2025, WPN expands support with Game Nights for titles like Cosmolancer, a galactic , scheduled from November 7 to 23 and prioritized for Premium stores via Wizards EventLink templates. Evergreen classics such as are incorporated into the ongoing pilot, with demo kits provided to foster repeat engagement at select locations. While these programs attract niche audiences, they face challenges from smaller player bases compared to core titles, addressed through targeted promo incentives like surplus rewards and MTG Arena codes to boost turnout and retention.

References

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