Magic: The Gathering is about to celebrate its 30th anniversary with a giant birthday bash in Las Vegas. From October 28 to 30, Magic fans can head on down to the World Market Center’s EXPO, with one-day general admission starting at $75.
Wizards of the Coast is partnering with ReedPop--the same folks who put on the PAX conventions--to make sure Magic’s 30th anniversary is one to remember. We don’t have all the details, but we do know that one of the big events will be a Modern tournament that feeds into a top 8 Beta draft.
You heard that right: Beta. That means Channel/Fireball is potentially on the table. We could see some turn-one kills in this draft, or we might just see a few players break open a package that contains massively lucrative cards like Ancestral Recall, Demonic Tutor, Time Walk, Black Lotus, and more. Wizards hasn’t released the rules on this draft, so we might even get to see some of these Power Nine cards actually get played.
Besides the Beta draft, Wizards is bringing back The Commander Zone for dedicated Commander play all weekend long. Several big Commander figures will also be present, including Gavin Verhey, Jimmy Wong, and Josh Lee Kwai.
Magic chieftain Mark Rosewater will host some Unfinity events, others will host Mystery Booster drafts, and an exclusive Secret Lair drop will also be announced. Parties will be hosted on both Friday and Saturday night, and lest we forget, the Magic World Championship XXVIII will also take place that weekend.
Weekend passes, VIP passes, and Commander-specific tickets will be available, and for those who can’t attend, virtual tickets will start at $30. You’ll even be able to purchase Commander Decks and Mystery Booster draft packages so you can take part in the festivities from the comfort of your own home.
More details will become available in July, including events, panels, and more special guests. And the party doesn’t stop after October 30. Wizards of the Coast plans to party all next year with "four multi-day celebrations of all that is Magic: The Gathering." The first party will be hosted in Charlotte, North Carolina in February, which will also be the first Pro Tour event of 2023.