Wizards of the Coast is proud to announce the Magic™ premier events schedule for 2008. Starting its 13th season, the Magic: The Gathering® Pro Tour showcases the top players from around the world, and there are many opportunities for you to take on—and maybe even become—one of the best.
More than 20 far-flung cities around the world are poised to host top-level play throughout 2008, with more still to be added as Magic's reach extends across the globe. The season kicks off at Pro Tour–Kuala Lumpur on February 15-17, the first time a Pro Tour has been held in Malaysia. In the next three months, five Grand Prix take center stage across three continents, including events in Vancouver, British Columbia, Shizuoka, Japan, and Vienna, Austria. Like all Grand Prix, these are open events not requiring an invitation or previous qualification—that makes them ideal for players new to tournaments to see what premier events are all about.
The Pro Tour picks up again in glitzy Hollywood on May 23-25, marking the eighth time the Los Angeles area has hosted a Pro Tour. Starting in June, Magic takes off on an unprecedented Grand Prix run dubbed the "Summer Series," with more prize money and Pro Points offered at all Grand Prix in June, July, and August. Indianapolis, Madrid, Denver, Copenhagen, Manila, and two yet-to-be determined events (one in Japan, the other in Latin America) make up this special set of events. These seven Grand Prix feature a prize pool of $40,000 ($10,000 more than a regular Grand Prix), and the winner of each will be awarded 10 Pro Points.
After a few Grand Prix in September and October (including Magic's return to Paris, the site of the record-breaking 2006 World Championships), the Pro Tour visits Berlin on October 31-November 2. It's been five years since the Pro Tour's last visit to the German metropolis, which hosted the 2003 World Championships.
The season culminates December 11-14 at the 2008 World Championships in Memphis, Tennessee, where we'll honor the game's top talent by crowning the 2008 Player of the Year and pay tribute to the game's history with the induction of the fourth Magic Pro Tour Hall of Fame class at the biggest Magic event of the year.
Two National Championships are already on the schedule, with many more to come: United States (Chicago, August 1-3) and Great Britain (Birmingham, August 16-17). Starting this year, Pro Points will be awarded to the top finishers at all closed (invitation-only) National Championships, with each national champion earning 10 Pro Points.
Along with a chance to travel to foreign countries, play against the best Magic players in the world, and earn fame and glory, you get an alternate-art premium foil card at each premier-level event (while supplies last). This year's Pro Tour card is Mirari's Wake (given out to anyone who attends, whether they play in the main event or not) and the Grand Prix card is Call of the Herd (given to players participating in the Grand Prix).
So wherever you are in the world, find a premier event near you and see for yourself as Magic is featured on the biggest stages. Even if you're not competing in the main tournament, come to play in open public events, meet your favorite artists, trade cards with other players, and soak up the atmosphere of Magic being played at the highest levels.
For more information about the 2008 Magic premier events schedule, read Brian David-Marshall's column "The Week That Was" from January 18.
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