THE HOBBIT IS COMING

Magic players, it's finally happening.

There are very few Magic sets that generate the kind of excitement we've seen surrounding The Hobbit, and for good reason. When The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth released, it became one of the biggest and most successful Magic: The Gathering releases in the game's history. It brought together longtime Tolkien fans, competitive Magic players, Commander enthusiasts, collectors, and even people who hadn't sleeved up a deck in years. It was a release that reminded everyone how much fun a beloved world can be when it's translated into Magic's gameplay.

Now we get to journey back to Middle-earth, this time following Bilbo's unforgettable adventure in The Hobbit.

The set brings players into one of fantasy's greatest stories with iconic characters, memorable moments, beautiful artwork, flavorful mechanics, and plenty of exciting cards that celebrate Bilbo, the Dwarves, Gandalf, Smaug, and the unexpected adventure that started it all. From the moment the first previews began dropping, players have been buzzing about returning to Middle-earth with a fresh draft environment, exciting Commander additions, collectible treatments, and cards packed with Tolkien flavor.

Some players have been on the fence because they loved the previous Lord of the Rings release so much that they wondered whether another Tolkien-themed set could feel fresh. After seeing the previews, that concern has largely disappeared. This isn't simply more of the same. The Hobbit tells a completely different story with its own cast, themes, mechanics, and gameplay experience. It captures the feeling of an unexpected journey, clever resourcefulness, dangerous treasures, and legendary encounters that feel distinctly Hobbit while still fitting beautifully into Magic.

Whether you're a Commander player looking for flavorful new cards, a Limited player chasing a fantastic draft environment, or simply someone who enjoys opening gorgeous packs and collecting incredible artwork, there's a lot to love here. If last year's release reminded everyone why fantasy and Magic belong together, The Hobbit looks ready to continue that adventure.

The Hobbit Prerelease

Friday, August 7 & Saturday, August 8

4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

$34.99 per player

There's simply nothing quite like a Magic Prerelease. Everyone sits down with a brand-new Prerelease Kit, cracks it open together, and discovers the set for the very first time. You'll receive six Play Boosters and everything you need to build a 40-card deck on the spot before battling other players who are doing exactly the same thing. Nobody has solved the format yet. Every exciting rare, every clever synergy, and every unexpected combo is discovered together, creating one of the most memorable Magic experiences of every set release.

Our Friday Prerelease will be led by Jonathan Alvarez, Purple Dragon Games' Director of Magic: The Gathering. Jonathan is a titan in the local MTG community with years of experience helping players improve, teaching new mechanics, answering rules questions, and making every event welcoming and fun. Whether this is your first Prerelease or your fiftieth, Jonathan and our staff will be there every step of the way to answer questions, help with deck building, and make sure everyone has an amazing evening.

As an official Wizards Play Network (WPN) retailer, Purple Dragon Games also gets one of the biggest perks of Prerelease weekend. Once our Prerelease events conclude, we're authorized by Wizards of the Coast to begin selling The Hobbit products before the general retail release. That means you'll have one of the earliest opportunities anywhere to pick up booster packs, bundles, Commander decks, and more while supplies last.

The Hobbit Draft Weekend

Friday, August 14 & Saturday, August 15

4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

$24.99 per player

Once you've explored the set, it's time to draft. Each player will receive three Play Boosters, draft cards one pick at a time around the table, and build a 40-card deck from the cards they select. Draft is one of Magic's purest skill formats because every decision matters, from your very first pick to your final attack step. Every draft feels different, making it one of the most replayable ways to experience a brand-new release.

Our Hobbit Draft is an official WPN-managed event, meaning pairings are handled through the Magic: The Gathering Companion App for smooth Swiss rounds and balanced matchups that keep the event fun and competitive. If you've never used the Companion App before, don't worry. Our staff can help get you connected in under two minutes. No phone? No problem! We'll happily add you to the event manually so you can focus on playing Magic.

Our Game Masters will be available throughout the event to answer rules questions, explain draft procedures, help with pairings, and guide players through prize support. Whether you're a seasoned drafter or trying Limited for the first time, we've got you covered.

Draft weekends at Purple Dragon Games are some of our biggest Magic gatherings of the season. Players travel from across Northern California and Southern Oregon, making these events a fantastic opportunity to meet new opponents, trade cards, discover fresh strategies, and become part of a thriving regional Magic community.

Reserve Your Spot & Unlock Free Food!

Purchase your event tickets in advance at PurpleDragonHQ.com/MTG and you'll unlock a couple of tasty bonuses waiting for you at the store. Every online ticket purchase for both Prerelease and Draft includes FREE pizza during your event. As a special promotional bonus, you'll also receive a complimentary bag of movie butter popcorn when you check in. Simply show your online ticket purchase at the register to redeem your food and popcorn. Seats for Middle-earth adventures always fill quickly, and online registration helps us prepare enough seating, food, staff, and product for everyone attending. Reserve your spot today, gather your fellowship, shuffle up, and be among the first to experience The Hobbit at Purple Dragon Games. We'll see you at the tables!