Today, Wizards of the Coast has revealed the outline for the future of Magic: The Gathering esports amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020-2021 Magic esports season is set to begin with the release of Zendikar Rising this fall. Wizards revealed the digital competitive splits and a Championship event for each upcoming set release.
Wizards said that the new season will be 100-percent digital with emphasis on MTG Arena gameplay until it's safe to add back competitive tabletop play. "Specifically, we've also structured the season to allow us the flexibility to add tabletop opportunities," Wizards expalined. "Only as it becomes safe to do so, we'll begin to add qualification paths starting with local game stores and building over time to larger regional events. Given the instability driven by the pandemic we don't know when we'll be able to offer these opportunities, but we share your desire for tabletop play."
Each new Magic set released will launch a three-month split that features Qualifier Weekend events and a Championship. In each set split, monthly ranked play leads to Qualifier Weekend tournaments, and at the end of each split is a Championship.
Here's how you can compete for the Zendikar Rising Championship:
Many players will surely miss competing in tabletop Magic events to qualify for major tournaments, but WotC is making the right decision to make the new season 100-percent digital for the safety of the community.