Magic’s competitive scene is buzzing as we approach MagicCon: Atlanta 2025, a three-day extravaganza that will host Pro Tour Edge of Eternities – the third and final Pro Tour of the 2025 season. Top Magic: The Gathering players from around the world are gearing up to battle for fame, fortune, and a shot at the World Championship in the heart of downtown Atlanta. Meanwhile, fans attending MagicCon will be treated to a festival of all things MTG, from cosplay and panels to endless play opportunities. Let’s dive into what to expect at this epic event – the who, what, when, and why of Atlanta’s big Magic weekend – with a bit of speculation and fun along the way!
Event Overview – What, When, Where, and How
Official Event: MagicCon: Atlanta 2025, featuring Pro Tour Edge of Eternities. This is the official name of the tournament, and it’s the capstone Pro Tour of the 2025 season. It takes place September 26–28, 2025 (Friday through Sunday) at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. This marks Magic’s first major convention in the U.S. Southeast, and the Gathering is coming in hot (quite literally – welcome to Hotlanta!).
Event Structure: The Pro Tour is a three-day competition. Friday and Saturday feature 16 Swiss rounds in total (8 each day), likely split between Limited and Standard Constructed formats. All competitors play through Day 1’s 8 rounds, and typically only those with a strong record (e.g. 12 or more match points) make the cut to Day 2. After 16 rounds, the Top 8 players advance to Sunday’s single-elimination playoffs, which are played in Standard and are best-of-five matches to determine the champion.
Stakes and Prizes: There’s a lot on the line. Pro Tour Edge of Eternities boasts a hefty $500,000 prize pool, with a top prize of $50,000 to the winner and cash awarded down to every participant (a minimum of $500 just for competing). More than money, the prestige is huge – this is one of the most important MTG events of the year. On top of that, players who excel will secure invitations to the World Championship 31 later in the year. In fact, any competitor who reaches a certain record (typically 12+ wins in the Swiss or making the Top 8) earns an invite to Worlds, so there’s a fierce battle not just for the trophy but also for those coveted World Championship slots.
Schedule and Coverage: Mark your calendars – Friday, Sept 26 and Saturday, Sept 27 will see rounds kicking off in the morning (usually around 9 AM local time) and running all day, while Sunday, Sept 28 is finals day (Top 8 playoff). If you can’t be there in person, fear not: you can follow all the action on the official live stream. Wizards of the Coast will provide coverage on their Twitch channel (with matches likely also simulcast to YouTube). Expect expert commentary, deck techs, and player interviews throughout the weekend. Whether you’re an early riser on the East Coast or tuning in from elsewhere, you’ll be able to catch the drama unfold in real time as the #PTEdgeOfEternities battles play out.
Players to Watch – The Pros (and Cons) Heading to Atlanta
One reason this Pro Tour is so exciting is the lineup of top-tier players it promises. The field is invitation-only, comprised of proven veterans and rising stars who earned their spots through regional championships or past performances. In fact, Pro Tour Aetherdrift in Chicago earlier this year was noted as “the biggest Pro Tour field in years,” showing that competitive Magic is truly back in full force. We’ll see a similar depth of talent in Atlanta. Here are some key names and storylines to keep an eye on:
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Matt Nass – The Reigning Champ: Matt Nass took down Pro Tour Aetherdrift in Chicago, going undefeated in the Swiss and clinching the trophy with a combo-fueled five-color deck. Nass is a longtime MTG veteran (with multiple Top Finishes and a reputation as a combo deck master) and he’s riding a wave of momentum. All eyes will be on him to see if he can repeat that dominance in Atlanta. With his spot at Worlds already secured, Nass can play with confidence – but you can bet he’s hungry to prove Chicago was no fluke. If he brings back his signature Domain combo deck (more on that below) or some spicy new brew, he’ll be a force to be reckoned with.
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New Faces Making Waves: One great story this season has been the emergence of new talent. For example, James Dimitrov stunned everyone in Chicago by reaching the finals in his first Pro Tour ever. The New York native piloted the same Domain deck as Nass and took down several big names on his way to second place. Dimitrov’s underdog run, including an upset over Japanese superstar Kenta Harane in the quarterfinals, proved that fresh players can hang with the best. It’ll be exciting to see if he and other up-and-comers (perhaps players we don’t even know yet!) can follow up that success in Atlanta. Pro Tours often feature a breakout star – will someone new rise to the occasion again?
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International All-Stars: The Pro Tour is a global affair. From Europe and Asia-Pacific, many accomplished players will be in attendance. We mentioned Kenta Harane, a veteran from Japan who’s had strong finishes – he’ll likely be back vying for redemption. Other names to watch include players who dominated their Regional Championships. For instance, Rei Sato in Japan recently won a Champions Cup final with Selesnya Toxic, and pros like Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa or Gabriel Nassif could also be in the mix if they qualified. We’ll also see members of prominent testing teams band together. When the player meeting kicks off Friday morning in Atlanta, the room will be stacked with talent and plenty of storylines waiting to unfold.
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Hall of Famers and Veterans: One cool aspect of these Pro Tours is that some Hall of Fame players and veterans have been re-qualifying and returning to high-level play. We could see legends like Shota Yasooka, Márcio Carvalho, or Autumn Burchett if they secured invites through various qualifiers. The mix of seasoned veterans and hungry newcomers creates awesome dynamics – experience versus innovation, old rivals meeting again, etc. Keep an ear out during coverage for which big names are in the field; there’s sure to be a narrative of the “old guard” facing the “new blood.” In short, Atlanta’s roster is stacked – and that means we’re in for some truly top-notch Magic.
MagicCon Atlanta – More Than Just a Tournament
MagicCon: Atlanta isn’t just about the Pro Tour – it’s a full-fledged fan experience celebrating all things Magic: The Gathering. If you’re attending (or following along from home), here are some of the special features and festivities that make MagicCon a blast:
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Panels, Previews, and Special Guests: Wizards of the Coast and event organizers have a loaded schedule of on-stage content. Expect panel discussions with Magic’s designers, artists, and personalities. These could include sneak peeks at upcoming sets, Q&As with members of Magic’s creative team, and maybe even a panel themed to Edge of Eternities (perhaps story reveals or design insights).
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Art, Merch, and Signings: One of the coolest parts of MagicCons is the Artist Alley. Dozens of famed Magic artists will be there in person, selling prints, signing cards, and chatting with fans. In addition, exclusive merchandise is on sale – Atlanta will have its own themed merch. Every attendee badge for MagicCon usually comes with a promo card as well – Atlanta may have its own promo card souvenir for attendees.
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Cosplay and Community: Cosplay is a huge part of the MagicCon atmosphere. Fans will be roaming the halls dressed as Planeswalkers, legendary creatures, and obscure Magic critters alike. There’s an official cosplay contest with significant prizes, and even outside the contest, don’t be surprised if you bump into the Gatewatch posing for photos. MagicCon is a celebration of the Magic community, and meeting fellow fans is one of the best parts.
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Play Events for Everyone: There will be a Command Zone area for pick-up Commander games, plus tons of side events. Drafts, Sealed Deck, Pioneer, Modern, casual or competitive – you name it. There will also be learn-to-play sessions for newcomers and probably some Un format chaos if you just want a laugh.
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Meet the Pros and Coverage: Because the Pro Tour is happening at MagicCon, you might catch glimpses of your favorite pro players in between rounds. And if you’re not in Atlanta, the coverage will give you a taste of the event’s flavor, not just the matches. Expect segments that show the convention floor, cosplayers, interviews with fans, etc.
High Stakes in Atlanta – Why This Event Matters
MagicCon Atlanta and Pro Tour Edge of Eternities carry a broader significance for the Magic competitive scene:
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Shaping the Standard Metagame: Pro Tours often serve as inflection points for constructed formats. The decks and cards that succeed will influence what players everywhere choose to play. A triumph by a novel brew could usher in a new archetype. The metagame lessons learned here will trickle down to local game stores and online play.
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Road to the World Championship: Atlanta is the last Pro Tour of the season, making it the final qualifying ground for the World Championship 31. The outcome will finalize the roster and likely influence Worlds preparation. The Pro Tour champion will carry momentum and confidence into the biggest event of the year.
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A Barometer for Organized Play: MagicCon Atlanta represents the ongoing success of the rebooted Pro Tour system. If attendance is strong and excitement is high, it strengthens the case for expanding future events and maintaining the momentum of in-person Magic.
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Community Inspiration: High-level Magic inspires everyone. Whether it’s watching a new player make a deep run, seeing a cool new deck dominate, or just being part of the crowd, MagicCon events create lasting memories and energize the community.
As the countdown to September 26th continues, the anticipation builds. We’ve got epic storylines waiting to unfold: Will an established pro cement their legacy, or will a newcomer steal the spotlight? Which deck will conquer the meta – or will we witness a brand new strategy emerge from the Edge of Eternities? One thing is certain: Atlanta is going to be one wild, fun, and defining weekend for Magic: The Gathering.
May the best topdeck win. See you in Atlanta!