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Arena Open Event Guide – January 2021
The Arena Open is an in-game tournament series that happens every couple of months in MTG Arena, that boasts monetary rewards and even qualification to a Mythic Qualifier event! Formats vary from time to time, as it rotates between Alchemy, Standard, Historic and Limited (Sealed and Draft). Below is an official transcript from Wizards of the Coast detailing the specifics of the event (terms and conditions, eligibility, rewards, and so on), as well as some helpful resources for those contemplating in participating in the event.
Expected Value (EV) and Bo1 vs Bo3
As of December 2021, Arena Opens now have an increased entry fee and reward structure. The entry fee has increased by around 5,000 gold or 1,000 gems, and the rewards have become more top-heavy. Below is the new calculation by Frank Karsten, who concludes that you should still enter the Bo1 event for a better chance to qualify for Day 2.
Alchemy Guides
Below is a full list of our available resources for the Alchemy format. We also have the latest Premium article that you can check out to get our exclusive recommended decklists for the tournament!
Event Details
January 2022 – Alchemy
It’s 2022, and the new year gets off to a fresh and fierce start with big prizes in Arena Open, featuring competition in the new Alchemy format! Day 1 events begin January 15. Perform well on Day 1 to be invited to the high-stakes Day 2 event on January 16.
Get to know the new Alchemy format through these articles:
Then, build your 60-card Alchemy deck and get ready to face off against the competition for a chance to take home as much as $2,500 in prizes!
Before we get into the details:
- You must be 18 years or older to participate.
- Regional eligibility restrictions apply, void where prohibited.
- Receiving monetary rewards requires having or creating Wizards, DCI, and i-Payout accounts. (i-Payout accounts cannot be created in advance.)
- Refer to the official Terms and Conditions for complete details.
DAY 1
Arena Open kicks off Saturday, January 15, with Alchemy format events in both Best-of-One and Best-of-Three matches.
Best-of-One matches: Seven wins earn you an invitation token for the Day 2 competition.
Best-of-Three matches: Four wins earn you an invitation token for the Day 2 competition.
You may enter Day 1 events as many times as you’d like, but winning multiple Day 2 invitation tokens only count as a single Day 2 entry.
Everyone who enters will receive the Undead Butler sleeve:
DAY 1 EVENT DETAILS
Event start: January 15 at 6 a.m. PT (14:00 UTC)
Signup end: January 16 at 3 a.m. PT (11:00 UTC). You’ll have three hours to complete your current run, but you won’t be able to join after this deadline. Matches in progress will be allowed to finish.
Event end: December 16 at 6 a.m. PT (14:00 UTC). No new matches begin after this time but matches in progress will be allowed to finish.
Format: Alchemy
Entry fee: 25,000 gold or 5,000 gems (for both Best-of-One and Best-of-Three)
Structure:
- Best-of-One: 7 wins or 3 losses
- Best-of-Three: 4 wins or 1 loss
Rewards:
| DAY 1: BEST-OF-ONE ALCHEMY | |
|---|---|
| WINS | REWARDS |
| 7 wins | Day 2 invitation token |
| 6 wins | 2,500 gems |
| 5 wins | 1,000 gems |
| 0–4 wins | No rewards |
| DAY 1: BEST-OF-THREE ALCHEMY | |
|---|---|
| WINS | REWARDS |
| 4 wins | Day 2 invitation token |
| 3 wins | 5,000 gems |
| 2 wins | 3,000 gems |
| 1 win | 1,000 gems |
| 0 wins | No rewards |
DAY 2
Players who qualify through Day 1 events can enter Day 2 competition where prizes increase dramatically! You may only enter once on Day 2, even if you qualified multiple times on Day 1.
DAY 2 EVENT DETAILS
Entry window: January 16, 6–8 a.m. PT (14:00–16:00 UTC). You must join during this two-hour window. You’ll have until the event ends to complete your matches.
Signup end: January 16 at 8 a.m. PT (16:00 UTC).
Event end: No new matches after January 17 at 5 p.m. PT (January 18 01:00 UTC).
Format: Traditional Alchemy
Entry fee: Day 2 invitation token (earned on Day 1)
Structure: Best-of-Three matches until 8 wins or 2 losses
Rewards:
| DAY 2: BEST-OF-THREE TRADITIONAL ALCHEMY | |
|---|---|
| WINS | REWARDS |
| 8 wins | $2,500 USD |
| 7 wins | $2,000 USD |
| 6 wins | $1,000 USD |
| 5 wins | 25,000 gems |
| 4 wins | 10,000 gems |
| 3 wins | 7,500 gems |
| 0–2 wins | 5,000 gems |
ARENA OPEN FAQ
How many players can earn monetary rewards on Day 2?
As many as qualify! All players on Day 2 who earn six, seven, or eight wins are eligible to receive monetary rewards.
Can I qualify for Day 2 multiple times?
No, qualifying multiple times will not grant you additional tokens for Day 2 participation. Players qualify for Day 2 by earning enough wins in Day 1 Best-of-One or Best-of-Three events.
What should I do if I encounter an issue during the Arena Open?
Contact Customer Service if you need assistance during the Arena Open. We are unable to provide support for in-game issues over social media (other than telling you to submit a ticket).
Please ensure you select “Qualifier Weekend/Arena Open Issues” as the reason you are contacting our support team.
I reached six/seven/eightwins on Day 2 and earned a monetary reward . . . now what?
If you receive a monetary reward, we will contact you at the email address listed in your Wizards account to ask for your DCI Account and to provide instructions for activating your eWallet account with our partner i-Payout. If you already have an i-Payout account, we’ll notify you of your prize.
Please check your email regularly after the Arena Open to ensure that you respond to our inquiry in a timely manner.
If you win a monetary reward and do not receive a reward email within 72 hours of completion of the Arena Open, please contact Customer Service.
For more information on reward fulfilments, please refer to the full Terms and Conditions and our general Event Prize Support FAQ.
December 2021 – Innistrad: Crimson Vow Draft
The end of the year is fast approaching, and we’re having our first Arena Open in the Draft format December 4–5! Following on the (very elegant but very pointy) heels of the Innistrad: Crimson Vow release, this Arena Open goes all in with the new set in Player Draft matches.
The Arena Open gives you a chance to face some of MTG Arena‘s best players and win prizes—including a top prize of $2,500. So, start honing those drafting skills!
As always, before we get into the details:
- You must be 18 years or older to participate.
- Regional eligibility restrictions apply, void where prohibited.
- Receiving monetary rewards requires having or creating Wizards, DCI, and i-Payout accounts. (i-Payout accounts cannot be created in advance.)
- Refer to the official Terms and Conditions for complete details.
To ensure drafts begin quickly and eight players per draft pod can be reached, the Arena Open events will share draft pods with the Innistrad: Crimson Vow Premier Draft (for the Best-of-One event on Day 1) or the Innistrad: Crimson Vow Traditional Draft (for the Best-of-Three events on Day 1 and Day 2).
Draft pods are anonymized in all of these events, so won’t see which players are from the Arena Open and which are from the Premier or Traditional events.
Note that only draft pods are combined. Matches will always take place against opponents in the same event.
DAY 1
Arena Open kicks off Saturday, December 4, with Innistrad: Crimson Vow Player Drafts in both Best-of-One and Best-of-Three matches.
Best-of-One matches: Seven wins earn you an invitation token for the Day 2 competition.
Best-of-Three matches: Four wins earn you an invitation token for the Day 2 competition.
You may enter Day 1 events as many times as you’d like, but winning multiple Day 2 invitation tokens will only count as one entry to Day 2.
As a bonus, everyone who enters receives a special Golden Goblet sleeve:
DAY 1 EVENT DETAILS
Event start: December 4 at 6 a.m. PT (1400 UTC)
Signup end: December 5 at 3 a.m. PT (1100 UTC).
You’ll have three hours to complete your current run, but you won’t be able to join after this deadline. Matches in progress will be allowed to finish.
Event end: December 5 at 6 a.m. PT (1400 UTC).
No new matches begin after this time, but matches in progress will be allowed to finish.
Format: Innistrad: Crimson Vow Player Draft
Entry: 25,000 gold or 5,000 gems (for both Best-of-One and Best-of-Three)
Structure:
- Best-of-One: 7 wins or 3 losses
- Best-of-Three: 4 wins or 1 loss
Entry reward: Golden Goblet sleeve
Rewards:
| DAY 1: BEST-OF-ONE DRAFT | |
|---|---|
| WINS | REWARDS |
| 7 wins | Day 2 invitation token |
| 6 wins | 2,500 gems |
| 5 wins | 1,000 gems |
| 0–4 wins | No rewards |
| DAY 1: BEST-OF-THREE DRAFT | |
|---|---|
| WINS | REWARDS |
| 4 wins | Day 2 invitation token |
| 3 wins | 5,000 gems |
| 2 wins | 3,000 gems |
| 1 win | 1,000 gems |
| 0 wins | No rewards |
DAY 2
Players who qualify through Day 1 events will find big prizes and tougher competition in Day 2’s Traditional (Best-of-Three) Player Draft event. You may only enter once on Day 2, even if you have qualified multiple times on Day 1.
DAY 2 EVENT DETAILS
Entry window: December 5, 6–8 a.m. PT (1400–1600 UTC).
You must join during this two-hour window. You’ll have until the event ends to complete your matches.
Signup end: December 5 at 8 a.m. PT (1600 UTC).
Event end: No new matches after December 5 at 5 p.m. PT (0100 UTC).
Format: Innistrad: Crimson Vow Traditional Player Draft
Entry: Day 2 invitation token (earned on Day 1)
Structure: Best-of-Three matches until 8 wins or 2 losses
Rewards:
| DAY 2: BEST-OF-THREE DRAFT | |
|---|---|
| WINS | REWARDS |
| 8 wins | $2,500 USD |
| 7 wins | $2,000 USD |
| 6 wins | $1,000 USD |
| 5 wins | 25,000 gems |
| 4 wins | 10,000 gems |
| 3 wins | 7,500 gems |
| 0–2 wins | 5,000 gems |
CHANGES TO ARENA OPEN EVENT STRUCTURE AND PRIZES
OVERVIEW:
- Entry cost and rewards will now be consistent across formats (i.e., Constructed and Limited)
- Entry cost has increased to 25,000 gold or 5000 gems (up from 22,500 gold or 4500 gems for Sealed, or 20,000 gold or 4,000 gems for Constructed)
- Rewards for Day 1 and Day 2 have been revised (outlined below)
- Day 2 now runs up to 8 wins, with up to a $2,500 monetary reward
Starting with the December 2021 Arena Open, we will be changing the event structure and prizes for all future Arena Opens. When we initially launched the Arena Open, our goal was to provide a high skill, high reward competitive play experience for players who wanted something more exciting than the typical climb to Mythic qualification. In 2020, we held two of them. In 2021, we held six. And as we’ve increased the cadence of Arena Opens—and look to hold even more of them in 2022 than we did in 2021—it revealed that running these events was more costly than we anticipated when you consider the necessary overhead, which goes beyond the monetary rewards.
Simply put, we were faced with a choice of doing fewer Opens with the current structure or making adjustments that would allow us to run even more events going forward. We’ve decided on the latter.
As part of these changes, we also took a step back to re-evaluate our high skill, high reward goal and modified our reward structure accordingly, particularly for players who make it to Day 2. In the spirit of being open (excuse the pun) with these adjustments, we’ve outlined the changes below comparing them against our Strixhaven Sealed Arena Open we held back in May. We hope this new structure will allow us to hold Arena Open with an increased capacity in the years to come, while still providing a competitive play experience that players want to engage with.
DAY 1 BEST-OF-ONE
| EVENT RECORD | STIXHAVEN SEALED (OLD) | CRIMSON VOW DRAFT (REVISED) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 wins | 2,000 gems | Day 2 token (see Day 2 rewards) |
| 6 wins | 1,600 gems | 2,500 gems |
| 5 wins | 1,200 gems | 1,000 gems |
| 4 wins | 800 gems | No reward |
| 3 wins | 400 gems | No reward |
| 0–2 wins | No reward | No reward |
DAY 1 BEST-OF-THREE
| EVENT RECORD | STIXHAVEN SEALED (OLD) | CRIMSON VOW DRAFT (REVISED) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 wins | 5,000 gems | Day 2 token (see Day 2 rewards) |
| 3 wins | 5,000 gems | 5,000 gems |
| 2 wins | 2,500 gems | 3,000 gems |
| 1 win | 1,000 gems | 1,000 gems |
| 0 wins | No reward | No reward |
DAY 2 BEST-OF-THREE
| EVENT RECORD | STIXHAVEN SEALED (OLD) | CRIMSON VOW DRAFT (REVISED) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 wins | n/a | $2,500 |
| 7 wins | $2,000 USD | $2,000 USD |
| 6 wins | $1,000 USD | $1,000 USD |
| 5 wins | 20,000 gems | 25,000 gems |
| 4 wins | 10,000 gems | 10,000 gems |
| 3 wins | 6,000 gems | 7,500 gems |
| 2 wins | 4,000 gems | 5,000 gems |
| 1 win | 2,000 gems | 5,000 gems |
| 0 wins | No reward | 5,000 gems |
ARENA OPEN FAQ
How many players can earn monetary rewards on Day 2?
As many as qualify! All players on Day 2 who earn six, seven, or eight wins are eligible to receive monetary rewards.
Can I qualify for Day 2 multiple times?
No, qualifying multiple times will not grant you additional tokens for Day 2 participation. Players qualify for Day 2 by earning enough wins in Day 1 Best-of-One or Best-of-Three events.
What should I do if I encounter an issue during the Arena Open?
Contact Customer Service if you need assistance during the Arena Open. We are unable to provide support for in-game issues over social media (other than telling you to submit a ticket).
Please ensure you select “Qualifier Weekend/Arena Open Issues” as the reason you are contacting our support team.
I reached six/seven/eight wins on Day 2 and earned a monetary reward . . . now what?
If you receive a monetary reward, we will contact you at the email address listed in your Wizards account to ask for your DCI Account and to provide instructions for activating your eWallet account with our partner i-Payout. If you already have an i-Payout account, we’ll notify you of your prize.
Please check your email regularly after the Arena Open to ensure that you respond to our inquiry in a timely manner.
If you win a monetary reward and do not receive a reward email within 72 hours of completion of the Arena Open, please contact Customer Service.
For more information on reward fulfilments, please refer to the full Terms and Conditions and our general Event Prize Support FAQ.
October 2021 – Standard
It’s fall, and just like the changing season, Standard has gone through its yearly rotation. This creates new dynamics as older sets move out of the format and new strategies and deck builds vie for dominance.
This is also a perfect time to host the Arena Open in Standard! The two-day event, running October 16–17, features fierce competition as players jockey to prove who is the best—and who will claim the top prize of $2,000!
So, start polishing up those new Standard decks, because this is your chance to prove your mastery of the latest sets and level up into the big leagues.
But before we get into the details:
- You must be 18 years or older to participate.
- Regional eligibility restrictions apply, void where prohibited.
- Receiving monetary rewards requires having or creating Wizards, DCI, and i-Payout accounts. (i-Payout accounts cannot be created in advance.)
- Refer to the official Terms and Conditions for complete details.
DAY 1
The Arena Open kicks off on Saturday, October 16, with Best-of-One and Best-of-Three matches in the Standard format. Everyone who participates will receive the Ominous Roost card sleeve!
Play Best-of-One matches: Seven wins earn you a qualification token for entry to the Day 2 competition.
Play Best-of-Three matches: Four wins earn you a qualification token for the Day 2 competition.
You may enter Day 1 events as many times as you’d like, but note that multiple Day 2 qualification tokens only count as one entry to Day 2.
- Format: Standard (Best-of-One) and Traditional Standard (Best-of-Three)
- Entry fee: 20,000 gold or 4,000 gems (both Best-of-One and Best-of-Three)
- Event start: October 16 at 6 a.m. PT (1300 UTC)
- Signup end: October 17 at 3 a.m. PT (1000 UTC). You’ll have three hours to complete your current run, but you won’t be able to join after this deadline. Matches in progress will be allowed to finish.
- Event end: October 17 at 6 a.m. PT (1300 UTC). No new matches begin after this time, but matches in progress will be allowed to finish.
- Entry reward: Ominous Roost card sleeve
| DAY 1: BEST-OF-ONE STANDARD | |
|---|---|
| Match Record: 7 wins or 3 Losses | |
| 7 Wins | 2,000 gems + Day 2 qualification token |
| 6 Wins | 1,600 gems |
| 5 Wins | 1,200 gems |
| 4 Wins | 800 gems |
| 3 Wins | 400 gems |
| 0–2 Wins | No reward |
| DAY 1: BEST-OF-THREE TRADITIONAL STANDARD | |
|---|---|
| Match Record: 4 wins or 1 loss | |
| 4 Wins | 5,000 gems + Day 2 qualification token |
| 3 Wins | 5,000 gems |
| 2 Wins | 2,500 gems |
| 1 Win | 1,000 gems |
| 0 Wins | No reward |
DAY 2
Day 2 brings raised stakes, with increased prizes and stiffer competition. The Day 2 format is Traditional Standard with Best-of-Three matches using sideboards and individual timers. Submit any legal Traditional Standard deck—you may even switch to a different deck from the one used during Day 1 matches.
You may only enter once on Day 2, even if you have qualified multiple times on Day 1.
- Format: Traditional Standard (Best-of-Three)
- Entry fee: Day 2 qualification token (earned on Day 1)
- Entry window: October 17, 6–8 a.m. PT (1300–1500 UTC). You must join during this two-hour window. You’ll have until the event ends to complete your matches.
- Signup end: October 17 at 8 a.m. PT (1500 UTC).
- Event end: No new matches after October 17 at 5 p.m. PT (0000 UTC). All matches must begin by 6 p.m. PT (0100 UTC) to count.
| BEST-OF-THREE TRADITIONAL STANDARD | |
|---|---|
| Match Record: 7 wins or 2 Losses | |
| 7 Wins | $2,000 + Qualifier Weekend invitation |
| 6 Wins | $1,000 |
| 5 Wins | 20,000 gems |
| 4 Wins | 10,000 gems |
| 3 Wins | 6,000 gems |
| 2 Wins | 4,000 gems |
| 1 Win | 2,000 gems |
| 0 Wins | No reward |
FAQ
How many players can earn monetary rewards on Day 2?
As many as qualify! All players on Day 2 who earn six or seven wins are eligible to receive the monetary rewards.
Can I qualify for Day 2 multiple times?
No, qualifying multiple times will not grant you additional tokens for Day 2 participation. Players qualify for Day 2 by earning enough wins in Day 1 Best-of-One or Best-of-Three events.
What should I do if I encounter an issue during the Arena Open?
Contact Customer Service if you need assistance during the Arena Open. We are unable to provide support for in-game issues over social media (other than telling you to submit a ticket).
Please ensure you select “Qualifier Weekend/Arena Open Issues” as the reason you are contacting our support team.
I reached six/seven wins on Day 2 and earned a monetary reward . . . now what?
If you receive a monetary reward, we will contact you at the email address listed in your Wizards account to ask for your DCI Account and to provide instructions for activating your eWallet account with our partner i-Payout. If you already have an i-Payout account, we’ll notify you of your prize.
Please check your email regularly after the Arena Open to ensure that you respond to our inquiry in a timely manner.
If you win a monetary reward and do not receive a reward email within 72 hours of completion of the Arena Open, please contact Customer Service.
For more information on reward fulfilments, please refer to the full Terms and Conditions and our general Event Prize Support FAQ.
September 2021 – Historic
Fall is nearly here, and that means it’s time for our next Arena Open! This two-day event features competitions in Historic, beginning on Saturday, September 11, and continuing Sunday, September 12.
Here’s your chance to show off the skills and the decks you’ve been refining since Arena Open’s last Historic event back in October 2020. But a lot can happen in a year! Since then, Historic has seen some changes, including the addition of more cards with Historic Anthology 5, Jumpstart: Historic Horizons, and several new sets (and don’t forget the Mystical Archive), as well as some banned and suspended cards in the format.
So, this Historic Arena Open promises some new strategies over the last!
But before we get into the details:
- You must be 18 years or older to participate.
- Regional eligibility restrictions apply, void where prohibited.
- Receiving monetary rewards requires having or creating Wizards, DCI, and i-Payout accounts. (i-Payout accounts cannot be created in advance.)
- Refer to the official Terms and Conditions for complete details.
DAY 1
Arena Open kicks off on Saturday, September 11, with Best-of-One and Best-of-Three matches in the Historic format. Everyone who participates will receive the Svyelun of Sea and Sky card sleeve!
Play Best-of-One matches: Seven wins earn you a qualification token for entry to the Day 2 competition.
Play Best-of-Three matches: Four wins earn you a qualification token for the Day 2 competition.
You may enter Day 1 events as many times as you’d like, but note that multiple Day 2 qualification tokens only count as one entry to Day 2.
- Format: Historic (Best-of-One) and Traditional Historic (Best-of-Three)
- Entry fee: 20,000 gold or 4,000 gems (both Best-of-One and Best-of-Three)
- Event start: September 11 at 6 a.m. PT
- Signup end: September 12 at 3 a.m. PT. You’ll have a few hours to complete your current run, but you won’t be able to join after this deadline.
- Event end: September 12 at 6 a.m. PT
- Entry reward: Svyelun of Sea and Sky card sleeve
| DAY 1: BEST-OF-ONE HISTORIC | |
|---|---|
| Match Record: 7 wins or 3 Losses | |
| 7 Wins | 2,000 gems Day 2 qualification token |
| 6 Wins | 1,600 gems |
| 5 Wins | 1,200 gems |
| 4 Wins | 800 gems |
| 3 Wins | 400 gems |
| 0–2 Wins | No reward |
| DAY 1: BEST-OF-THREE TRADITIONAL HISTORIC | |
|---|---|
| Match Record: 4 wins or 1 loss | |
| 4 Wins | 5,000 gems Day 2 qualification token |
| 3 Wins | 5,000 gems |
| 2 Wins | 2,500 gems |
| 1 Win | 1,000 gems |
| 0 Wins | No reward |
DAY 2
The stakes are raised for Day 2, with increased prizes and stiffer competition. The Day 2 format is Traditional Historic with Best-of-Three matches using sideboards and individual timers. Submit any legal Traditional Historic deck—you may even switch to a different deck from one used on Day 1.
You may only enter once on Day 2, even if you have qualified multiple times.
- Format: Traditional Historic (Best-of-Three)
- Entry fee: Day 2 qualification token (earned on Day 1)
- Entry window: September 12, 6–8 a.m. PT. You must join during the 2-hour entry window. Late entries cannot be accommodated.
- Signup end: September 12 at 8 a.m. PT.
- Event end: No new matches after September 12 at 5 p.m. PT. All matches must complete by 6 p.m. PT to count.
| BEST-OF-THREE TRADITIONAL HISTORIC | |
|---|---|
| Match Record: 7 wins or 2 Losses | |
| 7 Wins | $2,000 Qualifier Weekend invitation |
| 6 Wins | $1,000 |
| 5 Wins | 20,000 gems |
| 4 Wins | 10,000 gems |
| 3 Wins | 6,000 gems |
| 2 Wins | 4,000 gems |
| 1 Win | 2,000 gems |
| 0 Wins | No reward |
Q&A
How many players can earn monetary rewards on Day 2?
As many as qualify! All players on Day 2 who earn six or seven wins are eligible to receive the monetary rewards.
Can I qualify for Day 2 multiple times?
No, qualifying multiple times will not grant you additional tokens for Day 2 participation. Players qualify for Day 2 by earning enough wins in Day 1 Best-of-One or Best-of-Three events.
What should I do if I encounter an issue during Arena Open?
Contact Customer Service if you need assistance during Arena Open. We are unable to provide support for in-game issues over social media (other than telling you to submit a ticket).
Please ensure you select “Qualifier Weekend/Arena Open Issues” as the reason you are contacting our support team.
I reached six/seven wins on Day 2 and earned a monetary reward . . . now what?
If you receive a monetary reward, we will contact you at the email address listed in your Wizards account to ask for your DCI Account and to provide instructions for activating your eWallet account with our partner i-Payout. If you already have an i-Payout account, we’ll notify you of your prize.
Please check your email regularly after the Arena Open to ensure that you respond to our inquiry in a timely manner.
If you win a monetary reward and do not receive a reward email within 72 hours of completion of the Arena Open, please contact Customer Service.
For more information on reward fulfilments, please refer to the full Terms and Conditions and our general Event Prize Support FAQ.
February 2021 – Kaldheim Sealed
THE ARENA OPEN FINE PRINT
- You must be 18 years or older to participate.
- Regional eligibility restrictions apply, void where prohibited.
- Receiving monetary rewards requires having or creating Wizards, DCI, and i-Payout accounts. (iPayout accounts cannot be created in advance.)
- Refer to the official Terms and Conditions for complete details.
YOUR FATE IS SEALED
For the first Arena Open in 2021, we wanted to open our play opportunities by scheduling, for the first time ever, a Limited event. We have done both Historic and Standard Constructed Arena Open events in the past but have yet to challenge players to strive for glory using a limited card pool.
Today, we’re excited to announce that the Arena Open scheduled for February 20–21 will be featuring the Kaldheim Sealed format.
We’ll get to more of the fine details in just a bit, but before you ask—why Sealed, and why not Player Draft?
The biggest hurdle with doing player drafts for competitive events on MTG Arena is that an in-game draft table requires exactly eight participants: no more, no less. Given the large-scale, open nature of the Arena Open (see, it’s even in the name), we can’t guarantee the number of interested participants is going to be divisible by eight. While we are exploring potential solutions to this problem, there are technical, logistical, and philosophical hurdles we need to overcome first.
Beyond that, we also have a responsibility to ensure competitive integrity. While this is true for all Arena Open events, we recognize gameplay disruption during a draft can be particularly devastating, whether it’s an issue within the client itself or an insufficient number of players available to begin a draft.
While we consider solutions to some of these issues, we do have a Limited format that scales to any number of players over an event period: Sealed.
We hope the introduction of this format gives our Limited fans a new opportunity to show their stuff and our competitive Constructed players a new challenge to overcome. And for those of you who have been keeping an eye on the MTG Arena event calendar—we will be offering Best-of-Three Sealed for the first time ever, both leading up to the Arena Open, as well as for the Arena Open itself.
Additionally, this Arena Open will qualify eligible players who finish Day 2 with five or more wins to the March Strixhaven Qualifier Weekend, which will feature the Kaldheim Phantom Sealed format. More details will be available on the Qualifier Weekend Information page on Magic.gg.
Okay, so now for all the frigid facts.
DAY 1
Format: Best-of-One or Best-of-Three Kaldheim Sealed
Deck Building: Open
- Players do not have to register and submit one specific deck for the whole event. They only need a deck with at least 40 cards (including basic lands) for participating in each match.
- Players will be able to make changes to their deck in between matches using cards opened in their sealed pool.
- Reminder that only the snow lands opened in your pool will be available for deck building.
Start: February 20, 2021 at 6 a.m. PT
Signups End: February 21, 2021 at 3 a.m. PT—you’ll still have a few hours to complete your current run, but you won’t be able to join after this deadline.
Event End: February 21, 2021 at 6 a.m. PT
Entry Fee: 22,500 Gold or 4,500 Gems (both Best-of-One and Best-of-Three)
- Cards from the sealed pool will be added to the player’s respective collection.
- Players receive a new sealed pool with each entry.
Entry Reward: Phyrexian Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider card style
| BEST-OF-ONE | BEST-OF-THREE |
|---|---|
| Event Record: 7 wins or 3 Losses | Event Record: 4 wins or 1 Loss |
| 7 Wins: 2,000 Gems, Qualification for Day 2 | 4 Wins: 5,000 Gems, Qualification for Day 2 |
| 6 Wins: 1,600 Gems | 3 Wins: 5,000 Gems |
| 5 Wins: 1,200 Gems | 2 Wins: 2,500 Gems |
| 4 Wins: 800 Gems | 1 Win: 1,000 Gems |
| 3 Wins: 400 Gems | 0 Wins: No Reward |
| 0–2 Wins: No Reward |
DAY 2
Start: February 21, 2021 at 6 a.m. PT
Signups End: February 21, 2021 at 8 a.m. PT—you’ll have until the event ends to complete your matches, but you must join during this 2-hour window.
Event Ends: February 21, 2021 at 5 p.m. PT
Format: Best-of-Three Kaldheim Sealed
- Players will receive a new sealed card pool for Day 2.
- Cards from the sealed pool will be added to the player’s respective collection.
Deck Building: Open
- Players do not have to register and submit one specific deck for the whole event. They only need a deck with at least 40 cards (including basic lands) for participating in each match.
- Players will be able to make changes to their deck in between matches using cards opened in their sealed pool.
- Reminder that only the snow lands opened in your pool will be available for deck building.
Event Record: 7 wins or 2 losses
- 7 Wins: $2,000 USD, invitation to March Strixhaven Qualifier Weekend if eligible to participate
- 6 Wins: $1,000 USD, invitation to March Strixhaven Qualifier Weekend if eligible to participate
- 5 Wins: 20,000 Gems, invitation to March Strixhaven Qualifier Weekend if eligible to participate
- 4 Wins: 10,000 Gems
- 3 Wins: 6,000 Gems
- 2 Wins: 4,000 Gems
- 1 Win: 2,000 Gems
- 0 Wins: No Reward
Entry Fee: None—previous qualification from Day 1 required.
Q&A
How many players can earn the monetary rewards on Day 2?
As many as qualify! All players on Day 2 who earn six or seven wins will be eligible to receive the monetary rewards.
Can I qualify for Day 2 multiple times?
Players may qualify for Day 2 by earning enough wins in the Day 1 Best-of-One or Best-of-Three events. Qualifying multiple times (i.e. through both Day 1 events) will not grant you additional Tokens for Day 2 participation. On a related note, it is not required to qualify in both events to receive a Token for Day 2; qualifying in a single event is sufficient.
Is the Arena Open a part of the MPL/Magic Esports?
Top finishers on Day 2 will be eligible to compete in an upcoming Qualifier Weekend event.
What should I do if I encounter an issue during the Arena Open?
If you encounter an issue or need further assistance with the Arena Open, you will need to contact Customer Service—we are unable to provide support for in-game issues over social media (other than telling you to submit a ticket). Please ensure you select “Qualifier Weekend/Arena Open Issues” as the reason you are contacting our support team.
I reached six/seven wins on Day 2 and earned a monetary reward . . . now what?
If you receive a monetary reward, we will contact you via the email listed in your Wizards account to obtain your DCI Account and with instructions for activating your eWallet account with our partner i-Payout (or notifying you of your prize if you have already created an account). Please check your email regularly after the Arena Open to ensure that you respond to our inquiry in a timely manner. If you win a monetary reward and do not receive a reward email within 72 hours of completion of the Arena Open, please contact Customer Service.
For more information on reward fulfilments, please refer to the full Terms and Conditions and our general Event Prize Support FAQ.
December 2020 – Historic
Interested in participating in our next Arena Open? Keep reading for all the important dates and details between them and the opportunity to win monetary rewards from the convenience of home—no ladder climb or Mythic Rank required!
THE ARENA OPEN FINE PRINT
- You must be 18 years or older to participate.
- Regional eligibility restrictions apply, void where prohibited.
- Receiving monetary rewards requires having or creating Wizards, DCI, and i-Payout accounts.
- Refer to the official Terms and Conditions for complete details.
With the next Arena Open less than a week away, it’s time to lay out all the fine details. If you missed our previous announcement in November, the format this time will be Historic, and we will once again be offering Day 1 in both Best-of-One or Best-of-Three varieties.
DAY 1
Format: Best-of-One or Best-of-Three Historic Constructed
Start: December 12, 2020 at 8 a.m. PT
Signups End: December 13, 2020 at 5 a.m. PT—you’ll still have a few hours to complete your current run, but you won’t be able to join after this deadline.
Event End: December 13, 2020 at 8 a.m. PT
Entry Fee: 20,000 Gold or 4,000 Gems (both Best-of-One and Best-of-Three)
Entry Reward: Kaldheim Promotional Sleeve
| BEST-OF-ONE | BEST-OF-THREE |
|---|---|
| Event Record: 7 wins or 3 Losses | Event Record: 4 wins or 1 Loss |
| 7 Wins: 2,000 Gems, Qualification for Day 2 | 4 Wins: 5,000 Gems, Qualification for Day 2 |
| 6 Wins: 1,600 Gems | 3 Wins: 5,000 Gems |
| 5 Wins: 1,200 Gems | 2 Wins: 2,500 Gems |
| 4 Wins: 800 Gems | 1 Win: 1,000 Gems |
| 3 Wins: 400 Gems | 0 Wins: No Reward |
| 0-2 Wins: No Reward |
DAY 2
Start: December 13, 2020 at 6 a.m. PT
Signups End: December 13, 2020 at 9 a.m. PT—you’ll have until the event ends to complete your matches, but you must join during this 2-hour window.
Event End: December 13, 6 p.m. PT
Format: Best-of-Three Historic Constructed
Event Record: 7 wins or 2 losses
- 7 Wins: $2,000 USD, December Kaldheim Qualifier Weekend Eligibility
- 6 Wins: $1,000 USD, December Kaldheim Qualifier Weekend Eligibility
- 5 Wins: 20,000 Gems, December Kaldheim Qualifier Weekend Eligibility
- 4 Wins: 10,000 Gems
- 3 Wins: 6,000 Gems
- 2 Wins: 4,000 Gems
- 1 Win: 2,000 Gems
- 0 Wins: No Reward
Entry Fee: None—previous qualification from Day 1 required.
ENTRY REWARD
A cold wind is blowing across the brutal battlefields . . .
. . . and it’s going to be metal. All players who join Day 1 will receive a promotional Kaldheim card sleeve featuring artwork from the upcoming set!
P.S. Be sure to check out our Historic All-Access FNM at Home event on December 11! Create and play with decks using Historic cards—whether they’re in your collection or not!
Q&A
How many players can earn the monetary rewards on Day 2?
As many as qualify! All players on Day 2 who earn six or seven wins will be eligible to receive the monetary rewards.
Can I qualify for Day 2 multiple times?
Players may qualify for Day 2 by earning enough wins in the Day 1 Best-of-One or Best-of-Three events. Qualifying multiple times (i.e. through both Day 1 events) will not grant you additional Tokens for Day 2 participation. On a related note, it is not required to qualify in both events to receive a Token for Day 2; qualifying in a single event is sufficient.
Is the Arena Open a part of the MPL/Magic esports?
Top finishers on Day 2 will be eligible to compete in an upcoming Qualifier Weekend event.
What should I do if I encounter an issue during the Arena Open?
If you encounter an issue or need further assistance with the Arena Open, you will need to contact Game Support—we are unable to provide support for in-game issues over social media (other than telling you to submit a ticket). Please ensure you select “Mythic Events/Arena Open Issues” as the reason you are contacting our support team.
I reached six/seven wins on Day 2 and earned a monetary reward. . .now what?
If you receive a monetary reward, we will contact you via the email listed in your Wizards account to obtain your DCI Account and with instructions for activating your eWallet account with our partner i-Payout (or notifying you of your prize if you have already created an account).Please check your email regularly after the Arena Open to ensure that you respond to our inquiry in a timely manner. If you win a monetary reward and do not receive a reward email within 72 hours of completion of the Arena Open, please contact customer service.
For more information on reward fulfilments, please refer to the full Terms and Conditions and our general Event Prize Support FAQ.
October 2020 – Standard
We’ll be closing out the month of October with the return of the Arena Open, our two-day competitive event where the top players will be able to receive monetary rewards by playing MTG Arena.
THE FINE PRINT
- You must be 18 years or older to participate.
- Regional eligibility restrictions apply, void where prohibited.
- Receiving monetary rewards requires having or creating Wizards, DCI, and i-Payout accounts.
- Refer to the official Terms and Conditions for complete details.
We’ll be returning to Standard Constructed for this event, and for those of you with your eyes on the prize, keep your sideboard handy, because this time you’ll be able to qualify for Day 2 by playing either Best-of-One or Best-of-Three matches.
If you recall back to May, two of our three key pillars for this event was both ease of access and to create a competitive experience. While most of our players opt for Best-of-One matches in MTG Arena, we know that some of our players prefer the Best-of-Three match structure when it comes to high-level competitive play.
So, why not both?
For Day 1, there will be two options (and two in-game events, so pay attention!) in which to participate. The entry fee is the same for both, and you will be able to enter Day 1 multiple times regardless of your preferred match structure. Since there tends to be more games played per match in Best-of-Three formats ( . . . yes, we’re stating the obvious here), we made adjustments to try and keep the total playtime, likelihood of qualifying for Day 2, and expected overall rewards as close as possible between the two Day 1 event structures.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison:
DAY 1
Format: Best-of-One or Best-of-Three Standard Constructed
Start: October 31, 2020 at 8 a.m. PT
Signups End: November 1, 2020 at 4 a.m. PT*—you’ll still have a few hours to complete your current run, but you won’t be able to join after this deadline.
Event End: November 1, 2020 at 7 a.m. PT*
| BEST-OF-ONE | BEST-OF-THREE |
|---|---|
| Event Record: 7 wins or 3 Losses | Event Record: 4 wins or 1 Loss |
| 7 Wins: 2,000 Gems, Qualification for Day 2 | 4 Wins: 5,000 Gems, Qualification for Day 2 |
| 6 Wins: 1,600 Gems | 3 Wins: 5,000 Gems |
| 5 Wins: 1,200 Gems | 2 Wins: 2,500 Gems |
| 4 Wins: 800 Gems | 1 Win: 1,000 Gems |
| 3 Wins: 400 Gems | 0 Wins: No Reward |
| 0-2 Wins: No Reward |
*Important Note: Daylight Savings Time ends in the United States on November 1.
Entry Fee: 20,000 Gold or 4,000 Gems (Both Best-of-One and Best-of-Three)
Entry Reward: Sea Gate Stormcaller; Leyline Tyrant; Scourge of the Skyclaves; Tazri, Beacon of Unity; and Ashaya, Soul of the Wild card styles.
DAY 2
Start: November 1, 2020 at 6 a.m. PT*
Signups End: November 1, 2020 at 9 a.m. PT—you’ll have until the event ends to complete your matches, but you must join during this 2-hour window.
Event End: November 1, 6 p.m. PT
Format: Best-of-Three Standard Constructed
Event Record: 7 wins or 2 losses
- 7 Wins: $2,000 USD, Zendikar Rising Qualifier Weekend Eligibility
- 6 Wins: $1,000 USD, Zendikar Rising Qualifier Weekend Eligibility
- 5 Wins: 20,000 Gems, Zendikar Rising Qualifier Weekend Eligibility
- 4 Wins: 10,000 Gems
- 3 Wins: 6,000 Gems
- 2 Wins: 4,000 Gems
- 1 Win: 2,000 Gems
- 0 Wins: No Reward
Entry Fee: None—previous qualification from Day 1 required.
*Important Note: Daylight Savings Time ends in the United States on November 1.
August 2020 – Historic
Interested in participating in our next Arena Open? Keep reading for all the important dates and details between them and the opportunity to win monetary rewards from the convenience of home—no ladder climb or Mythic Rank required!
THE FINE PRINT
- You must be 18 years or older to participate.
- Regional eligibility restrictions apply, void where prohibited.
- Receiving monetary rewards requires having or creating Wizards, DCI, and i-Payout accounts (iPayout accounts cannot be created in advance, for more info, please refer to our Event Prize Support FAQ).
- Refer to the official Terms and Conditions for complete details.
DAY 1
Day 1 will be Best-of-One Historic Constructed matches. You will play until seven wins or three losses (whichever comes first), with seven wins earning you qualification for Day 2. You’ll be able to enter Day 1 multiple times, which means you’ll have more than one opportunity to qualify for Day 2.
- Start: August 1, 2020 at 8 a.m. PT
- Signups End: August 2, 2020 at 4 a.m. PT—you’ll still have a few hours to complete your current run, but you won’t be able to join after this deadline.
- Day 1 End: August 2, 2020 at 7 a.m. PT
- Format: Best-of-One Historic Constructed with Match Clock
ENTRY REWARD
In addition to the prizes outlined above, every participant will receive card styles for five new-to-Historic cards through Jumpstart. Just as before, these special rewards will unlock as soon as you join the event, so you’ll be able to use them during your matches:
- Isamaru, Hound of Konda card style
- Kira, Great Glass-Spinner card style
- Languish card style
- Grim Lavamancer card style
- Thragtusk card style
DAY 1 PRIZES
Event Record: 7 wins or 3 Losses (whichever comes first)
- 7 Wins: 2,000 Gems, Qualification for Day 2
- 6 Wins: 1,600 Gems
- 5 Wins: 1,200 Gems
- 4 Wins: 800 Gems
- 3 Wins: 400 Gems
- 0–2 Wins: No Reward
Entry Fee: 20,000 Gold or 4,000 Gems
DAY 2
- Start: August 2, 2020 at 8 a.m. PT
- Signups End: August 2, 2020 at 10 a.m. PT—you’ll have until the event ends to complete your matches, but you must join during this two-hour window.
- Event End: August 2, 6 p.m. PT
- Format: Best-of-Three Historic Constructed
Day 2 will consist of Best-of-Three Standard Constructed matches. Again, you’ll play until seven wins or two losses (whichever comes first), but unlike Day 1, you’ll only have one opportunity to compete. Once you complete your Day 2 matches—that’s it! You’ll receive rewards based on your event record, culminating with $2,000 USD if you manage to earn seven wins.
DAY 2 PRIZES
Event Record: 7 wins or 2 Losses (whichever comes first)
- 7 Wins: $2,000 USD, Zendikar Rising Qualifier Weekend Eligibility
- 6 Wins: $1,000 USD, Zendikar Rising Qualifier Weekend Eligibility
- 5 Wins: 20,000 Gems, Zendikar Rising Qualifier Weekend Eligibility
- 4 Wins: 10,000 Gems
- 3 Wins: 6,000 Gems
- 2 Wins: 4,000 Gems
- 1 Win: 2,000 Gems
- 0 Wins: No Reward
Entry Fee: None—previous qualification from Day 1 required.
Q&A
How many players can earn the monetary rewards on Day 2?
As many as qualify! All players on Day 2 who earn six or seven wins will be eligible to receive the monetary rewards.
Is the Arena Open a part of the MPL/Magic esports?
As part of the 2020–2021 Magic Esports season, players who earn five or more match wins on Day 2 of an Arena Open will also be eligible to participate in the next Qualifier Weekend.
While we recommend you head over the Magic.gg for full details, this change will go into effect with this upcoming Arena Open. If you earn five or more wins on Day 2, you’ll also be earning a spot in the upcoming Zendikar Rising Qualifier Weekend. We do want to note that while we plan to hold Arena Opens on a regular basis, players shouldn’t expect one every month (and therefore, for every Qualifier Weekend); reaching the top 1,200 in Mythic—Constructed or Limited—during a ranked season will continue to unlock invitations to a Qualifier Weekend.
What should I do if I encounter an issue during the Arena Open?
If you encounter an issue or need further assistance with the Arena Open, you will need to contact Game Support—we are unable to provide support for in-game issues over social media (other than telling you to submit a ticket). Please ensure you select “Mythic Events/Arena Open Issues” as the reason you are contacting our support team.
I reached six/seven wins on Day 2 and earned a monetary reward . . . now what?
If you receive a monetary reward, we will contact you via the email listed in your Wizards account to obtain your DCI Account and with instructions for activating your eWallet account with our partner i-Payout (or notifying you of your prize if you have already created an account). Please check your email regularly after the Arena Open to ensure that you respond to our inquiry in a timely manner. If you win a monetary reward and do not receive a reward email within 72 hours of completion of the Arena Open, please contact customer service.
For more information on reward fulfilments, please refer to the full Terms and Conditions and our general Event Prize Support FAQ.
May 2020 – Standard
The inaugural Arena Open is only a day away, so no time like the present to remind our players-in-waiting of all the important dates and details between them and the opportunity to win monetary rewards from the convenience of home—no ladder climb or Mythic Rank required!
THE FINE PRINT
- You must be 18 years or older to participate.
- Regional eligibility restrictions apply, void where prohibited.
- Receiving monetary rewards requires having or creating Wizards, DCI, and i-Payout accounts (iPayout accounts cannot be created in advance, for more info, please refer to our Event Prize Support FAQ).
- Refer to the official Terms and Conditions for complete details.
DAY 1
Start: May 30, 2020 at 8 a.m. PT
Sign-Ups End: May 31, 2020 at 4 a.m. PT—you’ll still have a few hours to complete your current run, but you won’t be able to join after this deadline.
Event End: May 31, 7 a.m. PT
Format: Best-of-One Standard Constructed, with Match Clock*
Event Record: 7 wins or 3 losses (whichever comes first)
Entry Fee: 20,000 Gold or 4,000 Gems
You’ll be able to enter Day 1 multiple times, which means you’ll have more than one opportunity to qualify for Day 2.
*For the Arena Open, we are enforcing a 30-minute match clock for each player in both Best-of-One and Best-of-Three matches. As a general reminder, in Best-of-Three matches, this clock is shared across all three games and counts down whenever a player has priority.
DAY 1 DECK SUBMISSION
- Players will submit one (1) 60-card Standard Constructed deck per event run, with optional sideboard*.
- You may not change your deck between matches.
- You may change your decks in-between event runs (e.g. if Deck 1 doesn’t work out, you can re-enter and choose Deck 2).
- Your Day 1 deck has no bearing on your deck choice for Day 2. You may choose the same deck or an entirely new one if you so desire!
*Though sideboarding doesn’t happen in a Best-of-One match structure, it may be relevant for companion cards or abilities that refer to cards you own “outside of the game.”
REWARDS
Special Entry Reward: The Godzilla Lands
- 7 Wins: 2,000 Gems, Qualification for Day 2
- 6 Wins: 1,600 Gems
- 5 Wins: 1,200 Gems
- 4 Wins: 800 Gems
- 3 Wins: 400 Gems
- 0–2 Wins: No Reward
In addition to the rewards outlined above, every participant will receive the special Godzilla Lands to add to their collection as part of their entry. Like the Godzilla Series Monster card styles, these special rewards will unlock as soon as you join the event, so you’ll be able to use them during your matches if you wish to further emphasize your goal of stomping through the competition.
DAY 2
Start: May 31, 2020 at 8 a.m. PT
Sign-Ups End: May 31, 2020 at 10 a.m. PT—you’ll have until the event ends to complete your matches, but you must join during this 2-hour window.
Event End: May 31, 6 p.m. PT
Format: Best-of-Three Standard Constructed
Event Record: 7 wins or 2 losses (whichever comes first)
Entry Fee: None—previous qualification from Day 1 required
For those who qualify for Day 2, you’ll only have one opportunity to compete. Once you complete your Day 2 matches—that’s it! You’ll receive rewards based on your event record, culminating with $2,000 USD if you manage to earn seven wins.
DAY 2 DECK SUBMISSION
- Players will submit one (1) 60-card Standard Constructed deck, with optional sideboard.
- It does not have to be the same deck you played during Day 1 to qualify. You may choose the same deck or an entirely new one if you so desire!
- You may not change your deck or sideboard after submission—you will play the decklist you submit for every one of your Day 2 matches.
REWARDS
- 7 Wins: $2,000 USD
- 6 Wins: $1,000 USD
- 5 Wins: 20,000 Gems
- 4 Wins: 10,000 Gems
- 3 Wins: 6,000 Gems
- 2 Wins: 4,000 Gems
- 1 Win: 2,000 Gems
- 0 Wins: No Reward
Q&A
How many players can earn the monetary rewards on Day 2?
As many as qualify! All players on Day 2 who earn six or seven wins will be eligible to receive the monetary rewards.
Is the Arena Open a part of the MPL/Magic esports?
Not at this time. The Arena Open is currently separate from Magic esports (you will not earn Mythic Points, it won’t qualify you for a Mythic Championship/Invitational, etc.)
What should I do if I encounter an issue during the Arena Open?
If you encounter an issue or need further assistance with the Arena Open, you will need to contact Game Support—we are unable to provide support for in-game issues over social media (other than telling you to submit a ticket). Please ensure you select “Mythic Events/Arena Open Issues” as the reason you are contacting our support team.
I reached six/seven wins on Day 2 and earned a monetary reward . . . now what?
If you receive a monetary reward, we will contact you via the email listed in your Wizards account to obtain your DCI Account and with instructions for activating your eWallet account with our partner i-Payout (or notifying you of your prize if you have already created an account). Please check your email regularly after the Arena Open to ensure that you respond to our inquiry in a timely manner. If you win a monetary reward and do not receive a reward email within 72 hours of completion of the Arena Open, please contact customer service.
For more information on reward fulfilments, please refer to the full Terms and Conditions and our general Event Prize Support FAQ.
