The Magic Spotlight Series is an annual series of events with officially sanctioned Magic: The Gathering tournaments that starts in 2025.[1] Similar to the old Grand Prix events, the tournaments are open to all players, with no need to qualify for the event before entering.[2]
Description[ | ]
The Magic Spotlight Series is a large, multi-day celebration that will spotlight a specific theme at each event. Each Magic Spotlight Series stop will feature a flagship main tournament — a two-day open event that features a $50,000 prize pool. Stops also feature side events, vendors, special guests, and more at the discretion of the hosting organizer. Events in the United States are hosted by StarCityGames.com, those in Europe by Fanfinity, and those in Japan by BIG MAGIC.
Main event[ | ]
The Magic Spotlight main event will feature one format over two days of competition, with the action starting on Saturday. Everyone who signs up may compete in as many of the nine rounds on Saturday as they wish, but only players who have 18 match points or better (typically awarded via six or more match wins) may compete on the second day of competition on Sunday.
After six rounds on Sunday, the Top 8 advance to a single-elimination playoff, which will play to a winner on Sunday. These Top 8 players will secure invitations to an upcoming Magic Pro Tour event and will play for the title of Magic Spotlight Champion, the lion’s share of the $50,000 prize pool, and an extra-special prize for the winner of each Spotlight main event.
The Magic Spotlight main events are open tournaments, meaning anyone eligible to participate in sanctioned Magic events may sign up while seats are available. Seating can run out, so players intending to compete are strongly encouraged to sign up early and in advance of booking travel and attending.
There will be live video coverage of both days of the Magic Spotlight main events. As of yet, it is not known if the Top 8 is counted as a Top Finish.
List of events, promos and other prizes[ | ]
Promo cards will be available to each Magic Spotlight main event participant in non-foil, with promo cards changing for each theme. Additionally, the top 128 players from each Magic Spotlight main event will earn a traditional foil version of the promo card.
| Spotlight theme | Month | Location | Promo | Extra prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundations | 2025-01 | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | Terror of the Peaks (Magic Spotlight) | Standard for a year! The winner will receive a full Play Booster Display case (six Play Booster Display Boxes) of every Standard-legal Magic release released in 2025. |
| Modern | 2025-03 | Utrecht, the Netherlands | Kaldra Compleat (Magic Spotlight) |
References[ | ]
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (August 21, 2024). "Announcing the Magic Spotlight Series". Magic.gg.
- ↑ Blake Rasmussen and William Jensen (August 20, 2024). "Announcing Magic Spotlight Series (Video)". Magic: The Gathering. YouTube.