2026 Magic: The Gathering Tournaments
Illustrated adventurers looking over a valley and the Magic: The Gathering logo

Magic Events

Southern-Fried Gaming Expo is thrilled to partner with Wasteland Gaming to host numerous Magic: The Gathering tournaments over the course of SFGE weekend. Wasteland Gaming is tabletop gaming store in Duluth, GA. who support Magic: the Gathering, Pokemon, Lorcana,Yu-Gi-Oh and One Piece TCGs. Check them out!

Wasteland Gaming logo

Highland Ballroom Hours:

  • Friday: 3PM – 9PM
  • Saturday: 10AM – 9PM
  • Sunday: 10AM – 4PM

Learn to Play: Welcome Decks

  • Frequency: All day, every half hour, until closing event
  • Entry: FREE
  • Capacity: 64 players (at one time),
  • Event Materials: 1 Welcome Deck per player
  • Participation: 1 Raffle Ticket, 1 WLG Flyer, 1 Play Booster per player
  • Prizing: None
  • Duration: 30 minutes

Players will watch the Magic Academy “Learn how to Play” Video in small groups. This will go over the basics of the game itself, as well as certain strategies. A staff member will take groups of 4 at a time and teach them how to play in more detail, using Magic: The Gathering Welcome decks (preconstructed half-decks that are designed for beginners with simple strategies in mind). Everyone who plays gets a raffle ticket to take with them and a WLG flyer with a discount code.

Learn to play: Deck Building

  • Frequency: Three events per day
  • Entry: $20.00
  • Capacity: Maximum 32 players, Minimum 4 players
  • Event Materials: 6 Play Booster Packs per player
  • Participation: 1 Raffle Ticket, 1 WLG Flyer
  • Prizing: None
  • Duration: 1-1.5 hour(s)

Players will watch the Magic Academy “Deck Building” Video in small groups. This will be a casual sealed event where the contents of 6 booster packs are used to create one 40-card deck. A staff member will take groups of 4 at a time and help them build their decks. The players will have 45 minutes to build a 40-card deck. Once the decks have been built and checked, all players will play a game with the person across from them to test the deck. People get numbers; then, when the group of 4 has been created, their number is called. Everyone can also sign up on the companion app while they wait. (There should be signage telling people they need to use the companion app. Telling them that if they want to play in other MTG events, they will need an account.) Everyone who plays gets a raffle ticket, and a Wasteland Gaming flyer with a discount code.

Commander On-Demand:

  • Frequency: Whenever 4 people get together on a list to play
  • Entry: $5.00
  • Capacity: Maximum 32 players (8 pods at a time)
  • Prizing: 1 Pack per win
  • Duration: 2 1.5 hour rounds

Players can pair up in a pod of 4 to play a game of Commander. 1 pack will be provided per win. Unlike the other events, a deck will not be provided. Instead, there will be commander decks available for purchase.

Free Play tables – All day

  • Frequency: Continuous (All Day)
  • Entry: Free
  • Capacity: Maximum 32 players
  • Event Materials: None
  • Participation: None
  • Prizing: None
  • Duration: all day until close
  • Players want to have extra fun? Great! They can do that over here. After players build decks and want to continue the fun, they can be directed to move over to some free play tables.

CLOSERS

Friday Closer BEGINNER PLAY – Jumpstart Sealed – 2 hours

  • Friday 6pm (Highlands Ballroom)
  • Entry: $15.00
  • Capacity: Maximum 64 players, Minimum 8 players
  • Event Materials: 2 Jumpstart Packs Per Player
  • Participation: 1 Raffle Ticket, 1 WLG Flyer
  • Prizing: 1 Play Booster Pack per win
  • Duration: At the end of the day players will get two packs of Jumpstart to create a deck! BO1, 30 minutes rounds. 4 rounds. Pack per win!

Saturday Closer ADVANCED PLAY – Commander Sealed – 3.5 hours

  • Saturday 5pm (Highlands Ballroom)
  • Entry: $35.00
  • Capacity: Maximum 64 players, Minimum 4 players
  • Prizing: Pack per win
  • Duration: At the end of the day each player gets a commander deck, opens it, and plays. Players get to keep their decks. Players will get a 30 minute period to go through their decks, sleeve them, and staff members will be around to help players understand the core concept of their deck. 2 rounds, 1 hour and 20 minute rounds. This event is recommended for players who have a grasp of the rules of the game. Staff members will be around the whole time to answer questions and make judge calls.

Sunday Closer ADVANCED PLAY – Booster Draft – 3.5 hours

  • Sunday 12pm (Highlands Ballroom)
  • Entry: $20.00
  • Capacity: Maximum 64 players, Minimum 8 players
  • Prizing: Pack per win
  • Duration: At the end of the day, draft in pods of 8! Players will get paired up to draft, then build their decks. 3 rounds, 50 minute rounds. Pack per win. This event is recommended for players who have played before.