Your Guide to Playing Magic at MagicCon
Your Guide to Playing
Magic at MagicCon
Scheduled Ticketed Play Events
What are they?
The bulk of Magic: The Gathering Play at MagicCon takes place in the form of scheduled events! There are over 100 different events to register for featuring a wide variety of formats, products, and special rule sets! Explore the full schedule here to find the events that are best for you!
Where are they?
Ticketed Play is in Hall 7. Scheduled play is divided primarily between four areas: White, Blue, Black and Green, recognizable by corresponding tablecloth colors.
Who are they for?
Casual and competitive players alike will find an event scheduled for them. All events are marked in the schedule with a playstyle tag to help define the target audience for that event:
- Social: You want to have fun with friends while playing. You prioritize doing fun or exciting plays and creating enjoyable game states. You ultimately don’t care if you win or lose.
- Competitive: Your goal is to win the game and to do so as efficiently as you can. You enjoy clashing with other decks, making tough decisions, and navigating complex interactions. NOTE: Events with this tag do not automatically require deck lists or are necessarily run at competitive REL. Please refer to each event description for full details.
- Challenging: A mixture of these two groups. You want to win to some extent, but you always want to have an enjoyable and relatively simple game state.
Command Zone
What is it?
The Command Zone is a free-play area for players to play Commander and is a great place to meet new friends. Judge Staff are available to answer your rules questions and assist with matchmaking by providing ‘Looking for Game’ signposts to ensure you find the pod that’s right for you!
Where is it?
The Command Zone is located in Hall 4 adjacent to Ticketed Play
Who is it for?
Players of all skill levels, from beginners to Competitive Commander enjoyers! By utilizing the Commander Bracket System you will always be able to find a game where everyone is on the same page and looking for a similar gameplay experience.
On Demand Events
What are they?
On Demand Events are quickplay experiences that can launch continuously throughout the weekend without a set schedule. They include booster drafts, commander pods, and 60-card constructed events. Details on available ODEs are available here.
Where are they?
On Demand Events are launched via the Ticketed Play Hub and recognizable with the use of red table clothes.
Who are they for?
Players who wish to play games for prizes on a more flexible schedule than traditional Ticketed Play events.
League Events
What are they?
Ticketed Play Events designated as Leagues are special weekend-long sealed events where players are able to build their decks and play games with an open-ended schedule. Players may check in with the League Desk located at the Red Stage to receive their product and begin playing immediately! League events for MagicCon: Amsterdam include Savvy Traders, Commander Boxing League, Commander and Cocktails and Mage Tower Showdown.
Where are they?
League Play is available all weekend long in the red area, recognizable with the use of red table clothes. There are also specific scheduled times for certain League events, which are played in the Ticketed Play area.
Who are they for?
Players who want the ability to play pickup games between their other planned activities.
Free Play Areas
What are they?
Areas dedicated to open and unstructured Magic play for players to self-direct and play their favorite formats, or trade cards with new friends. Ideal for experimental or fan-created formats, Cubes, or pack wars!
Where are they?
Located at various locations throughout MagicCon. Check the map for the locations of Free Play areas or visit dedicated play areas such as Command Zone.
Who are they for?
Everyone!
Even More Places to Play!
Don't forget to check out Creator Central and Gathering Grounds during the weekend to find even more Magic!