An Intro to Ticketed Play

The frigid months of February are fast approaching, but that means the warmth of the Gathering at MagicCon: Chicago is on the horizon as well! From spectacular shows on the Mana Stage to passionate Community Panels to Ticketed Play events that span from casual to competitive, Chicago will have something for everyone.

There will be over 100 Ticketed Play events in Chicago, and the best time to start making your schedule is now! Ticketed Play events can and do sell out, so if there’s one that your heart is set on, it’s important to sign up early.

MagicCon: Chicago will have everything from returning favorites like the Unknown events with Gavin Verhey to events showcasing new sets Aetherdrift and Innistrad Remastered. 

One of our favorite parts of each MagicCon is seeing the new fun and wild ways our favorite creators come up with to play Magic.

Maybe Chicago is the con where you finally join Brian David-Marshall for Commander and Cocktails. Build yourself a new Commander deck from a fresh booster box and battle a pod of players who have done the same. BDM himself enjoys it so much that it’s become his favorite way to play Commander. So challenge your Commander deck building skills and construct something new!

The Unknown events with Gavin Verhey are always a highlight of any MagicCon, featuring cards unique to MagicCon: Chicago. There’s no telling what this event will be like, because even we don’t know! Gavin makes each Unknown event a once-in-a-con experience, and whether you’ve gotten to take part in one before or you’re hoping to hop in the queue for the first time in Chicago, you’re in for an experience that will never be repeated.

In addition to the classic hits, Chicago a few new creator-led events will hit the scene. Take a class in Innistrad Remastered with the Professor, or find out what it means to be part of The Omenpath 500 hosted by Nummot the Nummy.

These unique events combine a chance to meet and mingle with creators and fellow fans while playing Magic in a way that’s not quite like anywhere else in the multiverse. They’re also among the most popular, so sign up as soon as you’ve made up your mind!

Nervous about breaking into the world of Ticketed Play? There are tons of Ticketed Play events catering to players of every style and skill level. No matter your preferred format, there’s an event for you in Chicago. You don’t even have to pack a deck! You could play a Commander Pre-Con Chaos event or Chaos Draft with a friend in Two-Headed Giant. And if you’d prefer to play with a deck you built yourself, there are always Pioneer and Standard Friday Night Magic events, plus Lightning Round and Turbo Commander events when you need just a little more gameplay before leaving the event hall.

So if you want to prioritize socializing while you play a fun and casual game of Magic, grab a spot in one of our more laid back Ticketed Play events and get ready to jam some games!

Looking to build your Magic skills, whether it’s in Constructed, Commander, or Limited? A whole suite of Ticketed Play events exist just for you!

Some events are geared towards being social and prioritizing a good time over winning matches, but whose setups still make them more challenging. Team Trios Full Box Sealed using Mystery Booster 2 packs, for instance, will test your team’s ability to build three decks from one big pool, while events like the Mystery Booster 2 Mega Draft will have thrills and challenges all their own!

There are also events like Last Commander Standing, a competitive Commander deck for those who want to test their skills and their builds against other players doing the same, and the Sunday Sealed and Stacked.

MagicCon: Chicago will also debut the Legacy, Modern, Pioneer, Standard, and Limited Cups, a set of competitive, two-day events. Look for more information about them soon! And if you’re aspiring to even greater competitive heights, there’s always the Pro Tour Qualifiers, held both Friday and Saturday morning.

That’s just a taste of what’s to come in MagicCon: Chicago Ticketed Play event, so be on the lookout for more information soon and we’ll see you in Chicago!