How to play MTG Store Championships and Commander Parties

Wizards of the Coast is launching two local game store events, Store Championships and Commander Parties, to support in-person Magic: The Gathering gameplay during the final months of 2021. 

In an effort to support local Wizard Play Network game stores via MTG tabletop gameplay in areas where it’s safe, WotC has brought back Store Championships and introduced a new event called Commander Parties. Despite a resurgence in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant, areas that are safe to gather will offer these two events in October and December. And two additional Store Championship events will take place during the months of July and October 2022.

Store Championships 2022

Store Championships return to tabletop MTG with two events taking place in 2022. The first Store Championship of the year will run from July 9 to 17, followed by another running from Oct. 15 to 22. The formats that will be available to play at local game store MTG Store Championships are Standard, Pioneer, Modern, and Draft. Some stores may offer additional formats. All local game stores participating in the 2022 Store Championships can be found on the WotC website.

Everyone who participates in the July MTG Store Championship gets a Flame Stash promo card. Finish in the top eight to earn a promo Archmage’s Charm and Dark Confidant. All top eight players at WPN stores will have the store name printed on the promo cards. Promo cards for the October Store Championship have not been revealed at time of writing.

Commander Parties 2021

First introduced during the 2021 Magic Showcase announcement, Commander Parties offer casual gameplay in the Commander format with the addition of a narrative story from the plane of Innistrad, according to WotC. Players attending the event are split into pods and will need to bring at least one Commander deck with them. Those without decks will have the option to purchase an MTG preconstructed Commander deck from their LGS.

Scheduled to take place from Oct. 30 to 31, each pod will “experience the story from beginning to end during the event,” according to WotC. Store personnel will hand out a faction card to each player during the narrative and the most chosen faction by players will move forward a space on the game board provided. Each space on the game board provides players with an in-game bonus for players of that faction. 

Rewards for the MTG Commander Parties event are a promo card of Conjurer’s Closet. 

Store Championships 2021

The return of MTG Store Championships will take place from Dec. 4 to 5 at local game stores where it’s safe to gather. The formats that players can compete in at the 2021 Store Championship include Limited, Standard, Pioneer, and Modern. Winning is all about bragging rights and sweet rewards. Prizes for participating in a 2021 MTG Store Championship include several various promo cards.

• Arbor Elf: Provided to all who participate in a 2021 Store Championship
• Collected Company: Provided to players who finish in the top eight
• Wurmcoil Engine: Rewarded to the player who finishes in first place

Gathering events at MTG local game stores have returned to areas where it’s safe to play. Players should contact their LGS to find out about registration for the Commander Parties event and Store Championship tournament.

Update July 7 4:30pm CT: Times and promo cards for the July 2022 MTG Store Championship were added.