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+ | [[File:2012 MPL logo.png|thumb|right]] |
| − | The '''''Magic'' Pro League''' (or '''MPL''') is an ongoing ''[[Magic]]'' [[Esports]] competition that |
+ | The '''''Magic'' Pro League''' (or '''MPL''') is an ongoing ''[[Magic]]'' [[Esports]] competition that was introduced in 2019.<ref>{{DailyRef|news/next-chapter-magic-esports-2018-12-06|The Next Chapter for ''Magic'': Esports|[[Elaine Chase]]|December 6, 2018}}</ref> |
| − | The ''Magic'' Pro League consists of |
+ | The ''Magic'' Pro League consists of [[List of professional players|pro players]] from around the world who are offered contracts by [[Wizards of the Coast]]. They are competing in seasonal weekly competitive match-ups on [[MTG Arena]], and in Mythic-level [[tournament]]s in both MTG Arena and [[tabletop|paper]] ''Magic''. These players are automatically qualified for each [[Premier Event]], where they will compete against other top players, the [[challenger]]s.<ref name="Qualifying">{{DailyRef|competitive-gaming/mythic-championship-qualification-magic-world-championship-2019-02-20|How to Become The Next ''Magic'' Champion: Qualifying for Mythic Championships and Worlds|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|February 20, 2019}}</ref> |
| − | ==2019 |
+ | ==2019 season== |
| + | {{Main|2019 Magic Pro League}} |
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| − | {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" |
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| ⚫ | Invites were extended to the top 32 [[player]]s in terms of [[Pro Points]] after the [[2018–19 Pro Tour Season]]. However, two players declined to participate due to work conflict: [[Kelvin Chew]] (ranked 18th) and [[Andrew Baeckstrom]] (ranked 23rd). These invites were passed down to 33rd-ranked [[Rei Sato]] and 40th-ranked [[Lee Shi Tian]], with Shi Tian taking Chew's slot to maintain representation in the region. |
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| − | ! Name |
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| − | ! Country |
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| − | ! Main accomplishments |
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| − | ! |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Luis Salvatto]] |
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| − | | {{flag|ARG}} |
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| − | | 2017–18 [[Player of the Year]]<br>[[Pro Tour Rivals of Ixalan|Pro Tour ''Rivals of Ixalan'']] champion |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#lsalvatto MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Seth Manfield]] |
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| − | | {{flag|USA}} |
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| − | | 2015 World Champion<br>[[Pro Tour Ixalan|Pro Tour ''Ixalan'']] champion<br>[[Pro Tour Hall of Fame]] class of 2018 |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#manfield MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Reid Duke]] |
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| − | | {{flag|USA}} |
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| − | | 3 Pro Tour top 8s<br>6 Grand Prix wins |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#duke MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Marcio Carvalho|Márcio Carvalho]] |
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| − | | {{flag|PRT}} |
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| − | | 5 Pro Tour top 8s<br>3 Grand Prix wins |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#carvalho MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Owen Turtenwald]] |
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| − | | {{flag|USA}} |
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| − | | 2-time [[Player of the Year]]<br>5 Pro Tour top 8s<br>[[Pro Tour Hall of Fame]] class of 2016 |
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| − | | Participation cancelled.<ref name="Breaking"/> |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Ben Stark]] |
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| − | | {{flag|USA}} |
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| − | | Pro Tour Paris 2011 champion<br>[[Pro Tour Hall of Fame]] class of 2013 |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#stark MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Javier Dominguez]] |
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| − | | {{flag|ESP}} |
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| − | | 2018 World Champion<br>2 Grand Prix wins |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#jdominguez MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[John Rolf]] |
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| − | | {{flag|USA}} |
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| − | | [[Pro Tour Ixalan|Pro Tour ''Ixalan'']] top 8<br>3 Grand Prix top 8s |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#rolf MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Martin Jůza]] |
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| − | | {{flag|CZE}} |
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| − | | 4 Pro Tour top 8s<br>32 Grand Prix top 8s<br>[[Pro Tour Hall of Fame]] class of 2017 |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#juza MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Grzegorz Kowalski]] |
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| − | | {{flag|POL}} |
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| − | | 2018 World Championship runner-up<br>Grand Prix Lyon 2018 champion |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#kowalski MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Ken Yukuhiro]] |
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| − | | {{flag|JPN}} |
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| − | | 4 Pro Tour top 8s<br>2 Grand Prix wins |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#yukuhiro MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Andrea Mengucci]] |
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| − | | {{flag|ITA}} |
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| − | | 3 Pro Tour top 8s<br>4 World Magic Cup top 8s |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#mengucci MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Mike Sigrist]] |
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| − | | {{flag|USA}} |
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| − | | 2014–15 [[Player of the Year]]<br>3 Pro Tour top 8s |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#sigrist MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Brian Braun-Duin]] |
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| − | | {{flag|USA}} |
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| − | | 2016 World Champion<br>2 Grand Prix wins |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#braunduin MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Gerry Thompson]] |
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| − | | {{flag|USA}} |
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| − | | [[Pro Tour Amonkhet|Pro Tour ''Amonkhet'']] champion<br>3 Pro Tour top 8s |
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| − | | Resigned from the MPL.<ref name="Quit"/> |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Brad Nelson]] |
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| − | | {{flag|USA}} |
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| − | | 2010 [[Player of the Year]]<br>3 Pro Tour top 8s |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#nelson MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Shahar Shenhar]] |
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| − | | {{flag|ISR}} |
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| − | | Back-to-back World Champion<br>4 Grand Prix wins |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#shenhar MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Matt Nass]] |
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| − | | {{flag|USA}} |
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| − | | [[Pro Tour Kaladesh|Pro Tour ''Kaladesh'']] top 8<br>5 Grand Prix wins |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#nass MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Jean-Emmanuel Depraz]] |
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| − | | {{flag|FRA}} |
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| − | | 2018 World Magic Cup champion<br>Grand Prix Warsaw 2018 champion |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#depraz MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Piotr Glogowski]] |
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| − | | {{flag|POL}} |
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| − | | [[Pro Tour Ixalan|Pro Tour ''Ixalan'']] top 8<br>3 Grand Prix top 8s |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#glogowski MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Yuuya Watanabe]] |
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| − | | {{flag|JPN}} |
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| − | | 2012 World Champion<br>2009 [[Player of the Year]]<br>[[Pro Tour Hall of Fame]] class of 2016 |
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| − | | Removed from the MPL<ref name="watanabe">{{WebRef|url=https://www.mtgesports.com/news/statement-regarding-yuuya-watanabe|title=Statement Regarding Yuuya Watanabe|date=May 09, 2019|publisher=mtgesports.com}}</ref> |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Andrew Cuneo]] |
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| − | | {{flag|USA}} |
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| − | | 2 Pro Tour top 8s<br>2 Grand Prix wins |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#cuneo MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Eric Froehlich]] |
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| − | | {{flag|USA}} |
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| − | | 5 Pro Tour top 8s<br>[[Pro Tour Hall of Fame]] class of 2015 |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#froehlich MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Christian Hauck]] |
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| − | | {{flag|DEU}} |
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| − | | [[Pro Tour Ixalan|Pro Tour ''Ixalan'']] top 8<br>4 Grand Prix top 8s |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#hauck MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Carlos Romão]] |
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| − | | {{flag|BRA}} |
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| − | | 2002 World Champion<br>3 Pro Tour top 8s |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#romao MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Shōta Yasooka]] |
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| − | | {{flag|JPN}} |
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| − | | 2006 [[Player of the Year]]<br>2 Pro Tour wins<br>[[Pro Tour Hall of Fame]] class of 2015 |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#yasooka MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[William Jensen]] |
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| − | | {{flag|USA}} |
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| − | | 2017 World Champion<br>Pro Tour Boston 2003 champion<br>[[Pro Tour Hall of Fame]] class of 2013 |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#jensen MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa]] |
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| − | | {{flag|BRA}} |
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| − | | 2016–17 [[Player of the Year]]<br>12 Pro Tour top 8s<br>[[Pro Tour Hall of Fame]] class of 2012 |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#pvddr MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Lucas Berthoud]] |
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| − | | {{flag|BRA}} |
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| − | | [[Pro Tour Aether Revolt|Pro Tour ''Aether Revolt'']] champion<br>Grand Prix Santiago 2018 champion |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#berthoud MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Alexander Hayne]] |
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| − | | {{flag|CAN}} |
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| − | | [[Pro Tour Avacyn Restored|Pro Tour ''Avacyn Restored'']] champion<br>4 Grand Prix wins |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#hayne MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Rei Sato]] |
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| − | | {{flag|JPN}} |
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| − | | 2 Grand Prix wins<br>5 Grand Prix top 8s |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#sato MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Lee Shi Tian]] |
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| − | | {{flag|HKG}} |
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| − | | 5 Pro Tour top 8s<br>[[Pro Tour Hall of Fame]] class of 2018 |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#tian MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Autumn Burchett]] |
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| − | | {{flag|ENG}} |
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| − | | [[Mythic Championship Cleveland 2019]].<br>2 English National Champion |
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| − | | [https://magic.wizards.com/en/magic-pro-league/players#autumn-burchett MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Jessica Estephan]] |
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| − | | {{flag|AUS}} |
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| − | | 1 Grand Prix win<br>Top 16 finish at the [[Mythic Invitational]] |
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| − | | [https://www.mtgesports.com/players/jessica-estephan MPL profile] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | [[Janne Mikkonen]] |
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| − | | {{flag|FIN}} |
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| − | | Highest-ranked [[Challenger]] at the [[Mythic Invitational]]<br>Mythic #1 ranking on [[MTG Arena]]. |
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| − | | [https://www.mtgesports.com/players/janne-mikkonen MPL profile] |
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| − | |} |
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| + | Before the start of the season, there were several controversies, causing changes in the original line up. |
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| ⚫ | Invites were extended to the top 32 |
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| + | The season kicked off on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 3pm [[Wikipedia:Eastern Time Zone|Eastern]] (19:00 h [[Wikipedia:Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]) on [[Twitch.tv/magic]]. |
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| − | ==Controversy== |
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| + | |||
| − | *[[Rei Sato]] was disqualified from Grand Prix Prague 2019.<ref>{{WebRef|title=STATEMENT REGARDING REI SATO DISQUALIFICATION|url=https://magic.wizards.com/en/events/coverage/gppra19/statement-regarding-rei-sato-disqualification-2019-01-12|publisher=Wizards of the Coast|date=2019-01-11|accessdate=2019-01-30}}</ref> In a statement the following week, Wizards explained that due to MPL members being held to a higher standard, Sato's invitation to the Mythic Invitational event at PAX East was revoked.<ref>{{WebRef|title=STATEMENT REGARDING REI SATO'S DISQUALIFICATION AND THE MPL|url=https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/competitive-gaming/statement-regarding-rei-sato-2019-01-18|publisher=Wizards of the Coast|date=2019-01-18|accessdate=2019-01-30}}</ref> |
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| + | ==2020 season== |
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| − | *The introduction of the MPL was accompanied with cuts elsewhere. Criticism arose when Wizards during [[Grand Prix]] New Jersey (26-27 January 2019) stated that they would no longer provide round-by-round updates on Grand Prix events;<ref>{{WebRef|title=Magic Pro Tour on Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/magicprotour/status/1089361035432099840|date=2019-01-27|accessdate=2019-01-30}}</ref> in a later response to Hipsters of the Coast, Wizards clarified that this only applied to round-by-round text coverage, and that plans for video coverage was yet to be announced.<ref>{{WebRef|title=Controversy Erupts Over Lack of Coverage for GP New Jersey|url=https://www.hipstersofthecoast.com/2019/01/controversy-erupts-over-lack-of-coverage-for-gp-new-jersey-mtg/|publisher=Hipsters of the Coast|date=2019-01-28|accessdate=2019-01-30}}</ref> Additional controversy sparked when it became known that Craig Gibson, Pro Tour photographer for 21 years, had been told that he was no longer needed at events.<ref>{{WebRef|title=WotC Tells Their Longtime Photographer that Photography is No Longer Needed at Events|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/al5tk4/wotc_tells_their_longtime_photographer_that/|publisher=Reddit|date=2019-01-29|accessdate=2019-01-30}}</ref> |
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| + | {{Main|2020 Magic Pro League}} |
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| − | * On March 27, 2019 [[Magic Esports]] [https://twitter.com/MagicEsports/status/1110954663501656064 Twitter] suddenly announced that [[Owen Turtenwald]] wouldn't be participating in the [[Mythic Invitational]]. No reason was given. Three days later unconfirmed rumors surfaced that Turtlewald had been behaving in an inappropriate manner towards female players.<ref>Cecilia D'Anastasio (March 30, 2019) "[https://www.kotaku.com.au/2019/03/pro-removed-from-1-4-million-magic-tournament-accused-of-harassing-women/ Pro Removed From $1.4 Million Magic Tournament Accused Of Harassing Women]", Kotaku.com</ref> On April 25, 2019, it became clear that Turtenwald was removed from the ''Magic'' Pro League altogether. Without explanation, he was replaced by [[Autumn Burchett]].<ref name="Breaking">{{TwitterRef|HipstersMTG|1121494022336368640|author=[[Hipsters of the Coast]]|title=Breaking News|date=April 25, 2019}}</ref> |
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| − | + | Starting in August 2020, ''Magic: the Gathering’s'' [[Organized Play]] calendar moved away from seasons that follow the calendar year (the 2019 season) back to seasons that are split over multiple calendar years (the 2020–2021 season). The 2019 season ended in December 2019, so in order to fill the gap between then and the beginning of the 2020–2021 season, the Magic Pro League held a shortened seven-month season.<ref name="Future">{{WebRef|url=https://www.magic.gg/news/the-future-of-magic-esports|title=The Future of ''Magic'' Esports|author=[[Elaine Chase]]|date=August 14, 2019|publisher=[[Magic Esports]]}}</ref><ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.hipstersofthecoast.com/2019/08/the-magic-pro-league-will-have-a-partial-8-month-season-to-start-2020/|title=The Magic Pro League Will Have a Partial 8-Month Season to Start 2020|author=David McCoy|date=August 14, 2019|publisher=[[Hipsters of the Coast]]}}</ref> |
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| + | |||
| − | * On May 13, 2019 [[Gerry Thompson]] announced his resignation from the MPL because of the lack of transparency in the organisation and the unwillingness of Wizards of the Coast to listen to feedback.<ref name="Quit">{{WebRef|url=https://thegampodcast.com/2019/05/13/why-i-quit-the-magic-pro-league/|title=Why I Quit the Magic Pro League|author=[[Gerry Thompson]]|date=May 13, 2019|publisher=Thegampodcast.com}}</ref> |
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| + | In 2020 the [[Rivals League]] was introduced, and the MPL was reduced from 32 to a 24-player league with players able to earn up to $50,000 in appearance fees in addition to prizes earned at tournaments.<ref name="Future"/> MPL players will also be invited to [[Mythic Invitational]]s and all [[Tabletop]] [[Players Tour]] events. |
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| − | * Also on May 13, WotC announced that the replacements for Thompson and Watanabe were to be Jessica Estephan and Janne "Savjz" Mikkonen, both T16 competitors from the Mythic Invitational.<ref>{{WebRef |url=https://www.mtgesports.com/news/mpl-adds-janne-savjz-mikkonen-and-jessica-estephan|title=MPL Adds Janne "Savjz" Mikkonen And Jessica Esthephan|author=[[Elaine Chase]]|date=May 13, 2019|publisher=[[Magic Esports]]}}</ref> The response was met poorly amongst several established pros, not helped by Janne's personal admission that he would likely not compete in any paper Mythic Championships. The largest criticism was that there was no longer any guarantee upon the future of any professional player, as neither had significant pedigree on the Pro Tour circuit.<ref>{{WebRef |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/bo5twn/mpl_adds_janne_savjz_mikkonen_and_jessica_estephan/|title=MPL adds Janne "Savjz" Mikkonen and Jessica Estephan|date=May 14, 2019|publisher=Reddit}}</ref> |
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| + | |||
| + | For the shortened 2020 season, the 24 players were made up of the Top 20 members of the Magic Pro League at the end of the 2019 season and the Top 4 [[Challenger]]s (non-Magic Pro League [[Mythic Points]] leaders). Because the 2020 partial season had fewer events, both MPL and Rivals players would make less than a full season. Members of the MPL could earn up to $35,000 in appearance fees, in addition to any prize money earned. |
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| + | |||
| + | The [[Wikipedia:2019–20 coronavirus pandemic|COVID-19 outbreak]] in January resulted in preventative measures taken in March. A large swath of the [[Grand Prix]] event schedule was canceled, and the Players Tour Finals Houston and the May Invitational were also canceled.<ref>{{DailyRef|news/changes-magics-competitive-season-and-event-schedule-2020-03-12|Changes to ''Magic'''s Competitive Season and Event Schedule.|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 12, 2020}}</ref> By April, it was clear that further events were not safely feasible to hold, and Wizards wrote off the entire season as not salvageable.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.magic.gg/news/esports-update-mpl-rivals-and-competitor-2020-partial-season-changes|title=Esports Update: MPL, Rivals, and Competitor 2020 Partial Season Changes|author=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|date=April 1, 2020|publisher=[[Magic.gg]]}}</ref> |
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| + | |||
| + | ==2020-21 season== |
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| + | {{Main|2020-21 Magic Pro League}} |
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| + | After the proposed [[MPL Gauntlet]] 2020, the MPL was to consist of:<ref name="Future"/> |
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| + | * The Top 16 MPL players from the previous MPL season. |
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| + | * The Top 3 performers in the [[MPL Gauntlet]].<ref name="Changes"/> |
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| + | * The [[2019 World Championship|2019 World Champion]].<ref name="Changes"/> |
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| + | * The Top [[Rival]] from the previous season in [[Player Points]].<ref name="Changes"/> |
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| + | * The Top Rival from the previous season in [[Mythic Points]].<ref name="Changes"/> |
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| + | * The Top non-Rival from the previous season in Player Points.<ref name="Changes">{{WebRef|url=https://www.hipstersofthecoast.com/2020/02/wizards-confirms-changes-to-invitation-criteria-for-the-mpls-2020-21-season/|title=Wizards Confirms Changes to Invitation Criteria for the MPL’s 2020-21 Season|author=David McCoy|date=February 7, 2020|publisher=[[Hipsters of the Coast]]}}</ref> |
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| + | * The Top non-Rival from the previous season in Mythic Points.<ref name="Changes"/> |
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| + | |||
| + | However, due to the [[Wikipedia:2019–20 coronavirus pandemic|COVID-19 pandemic]] the MPL Gauntlet was cancelled and the 2020 roster of the MPL was completely carried over to the 2020-21 season.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.magic.gg/news/esports-update-mpl-rivals-and-competitor-2020-partial-season-changes|title=Esports Update: MPL, Rivals, and Competitor 2020 Partial Season Changes|author=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|date=April 1, 2020|publisher=[[Magic.gg]]}}</ref> |
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| + | |||
| + | In this season, MPL players played against each other in recurring tournaments — [[League Weekend]]s — where each match win awarded one point toward their league standings.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.magic.gg/news/the-2020-2021-magic-pro-league-season-overview|title=The 2020-2021 Magic Pro League Season Overview|author=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|date=July 14|publisher=[[Magic.gg]]}}</ref> Final league standings at the end of the season, after seven total League Weekends, will place players into the [[MPL Gauntlet]] to determine the new invitees to the following season's MPL and Rivals League. All competitors who continue to succeed in their events across the entire 2020-2021 season will receive the best opportunities for an invitation to the next [[World Championship]]. |
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| + | |||
| + | ==2021-22 season== |
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| + | {{Main|2021–22 Magic Pro League}} |
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| + | In May 2021, [[Magic Esports]] announced a return to in-person play post COVID-19 for the [[2022–23 Players Tour Season]].<ref name="The End">{{WebRef|url=https://magic.gg/news/esports-transitions-and-getting-back-to-gathering|title=Esports: Transistions And Getting Back To The Gathering|author=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|date=May 13, 2021|publisher=[[Magic.gg]]}}</ref> Although digital play was considered a lasting feature of play it is supposed to be only part of the equation going forward. As a result, the 2021–22 Players Tour Season is going to be the last season featuring the MPL and the [[Rivals League]]. Players will not be competing for another League season. Instead, they'll be competing for a place in the [[2022 World Championship]]. |
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| + | |||
| + | ==Gallery== |
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| + | <gallery> |
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| + | File:2019 MPL logo.png|2019 logo |
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| + | </gallery> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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| + | ==External links== |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | * [https://assets.ctfassets.net/ryplwhabvmmk/12m291gTDMMG74j9TCEBis/4236ed3b2066c00b5aa30a0587b51499/2020_Magic_Pro_League_Rules_20200129.pdf 2020 Magic Pro League Rules (Last Updated: January 21, 2020)] |
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| − | [[Category:Magic Arena]] |
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| + | |||
| ⚫ | |||
Revision as of 07:39, 15 May 2021
The Magic Pro League (or MPL) is an ongoing Magic Esports competition that was introduced in 2019.[1]
The Magic Pro League consists of pro players from around the world who are offered contracts by Wizards of the Coast. They are competing in seasonal weekly competitive match-ups on MTG Arena, and in Mythic-level tournaments in both MTG Arena and paper Magic. These players are automatically qualified for each Premier Event, where they will compete against other top players, the challengers.[2]
2019 season
Invites were extended to the top 32 players in terms of Pro Points after the 2018–19 Pro Tour Season. However, two players declined to participate due to work conflict: Kelvin Chew (ranked 18th) and Andrew Baeckstrom (ranked 23rd). These invites were passed down to 33rd-ranked Rei Sato and 40th-ranked Lee Shi Tian, with Shi Tian taking Chew's slot to maintain representation in the region.
Before the start of the season, there were several controversies, causing changes in the original line up.
The season kicked off on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 3pm Eastern (19:00 h GMT) on Twitch.tv/magic.
2020 season
Starting in August 2020, Magic: the Gathering’s Organized Play calendar moved away from seasons that follow the calendar year (the 2019 season) back to seasons that are split over multiple calendar years (the 2020–2021 season). The 2019 season ended in December 2019, so in order to fill the gap between then and the beginning of the 2020–2021 season, the Magic Pro League held a shortened seven-month season.[3][4]
In 2020 the Rivals League was introduced, and the MPL was reduced from 32 to a 24-player league with players able to earn up to $50,000 in appearance fees in addition to prizes earned at tournaments.[3] MPL players will also be invited to Mythic Invitationals and all Tabletop Players Tour events.
For the shortened 2020 season, the 24 players were made up of the Top 20 members of the Magic Pro League at the end of the 2019 season and the Top 4 Challengers (non-Magic Pro League Mythic Points leaders). Because the 2020 partial season had fewer events, both MPL and Rivals players would make less than a full season. Members of the MPL could earn up to $35,000 in appearance fees, in addition to any prize money earned.
The COVID-19 outbreak in January resulted in preventative measures taken in March. A large swath of the Grand Prix event schedule was canceled, and the Players Tour Finals Houston and the May Invitational were also canceled.[5] By April, it was clear that further events were not safely feasible to hold, and Wizards wrote off the entire season as not salvageable.[6]
2020-21 season
After the proposed MPL Gauntlet 2020, the MPL was to consist of:[3]
- The Top 16 MPL players from the previous MPL season.
- The Top 3 performers in the MPL Gauntlet.[7]
- The 2019 World Champion.[7]
- The Top Rival from the previous season in Player Points.[7]
- The Top Rival from the previous season in Mythic Points.[7]
- The Top non-Rival from the previous season in Player Points.[7]
- The Top non-Rival from the previous season in Mythic Points.[7]
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the MPL Gauntlet was cancelled and the 2020 roster of the MPL was completely carried over to the 2020-21 season.[8]
In this season, MPL players played against each other in recurring tournaments — League Weekends — where each match win awarded one point toward their league standings.[9] Final league standings at the end of the season, after seven total League Weekends, will place players into the MPL Gauntlet to determine the new invitees to the following season's MPL and Rivals League. All competitors who continue to succeed in their events across the entire 2020-2021 season will receive the best opportunities for an invitation to the next World Championship.
2021-22 season
In May 2021, Magic Esports announced a return to in-person play post COVID-19 for the 2022–23 Players Tour Season.[10] Although digital play was considered a lasting feature of play it is supposed to be only part of the equation going forward. As a result, the 2021–22 Players Tour Season is going to be the last season featuring the MPL and the Rivals League. Players will not be competing for another League season. Instead, they'll be competing for a place in the 2022 World Championship.
Gallery
2019 logo
References
- ↑ Elaine Chase (December 6, 2018). "The Next Chapter for Magic: Esports". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (February 20, 2019). "How to Become The Next Magic Champion: Qualifying for Mythic Championships and Worlds". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b c Elaine Chase (August 14, 2019). "The Future of Magic Esports". Magic Esports.
- ↑ David McCoy (August 14, 2019). "The Magic Pro League Will Have a Partial 8-Month Season to Start 2020". Hipsters of the Coast.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (March 12, 2020). "Changes to Magic's Competitive Season and Event Schedule.". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (April 1, 2020). "Esports Update: MPL, Rivals, and Competitor 2020 Partial Season Changes". Magic.gg.
- ↑ a b c d e f David McCoy (February 7, 2020). "Wizards Confirms Changes to Invitation Criteria for the MPL’s 2020-21 Season". Hipsters of the Coast.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (April 1, 2020). "Esports Update: MPL, Rivals, and Competitor 2020 Partial Season Changes". Magic.gg.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (July 14). "The 2020-2021 Magic Pro League Season Overview". Magic.gg.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (May 13, 2021). "Esports: Transistions And Getting Back To The Gathering". Magic.gg.