On the weekend of November 22, Regional Championships in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan brought together the best of the best from months of Regional Championship Qualifiers. By the end of the weekend, almost 100 players from around the world earned their invitations to Pro Tour Lorwyn Eclipsed, which kicks off on January 30.
In case you missed the action, here's a closer look at some of our latest Regional Champions and a few standout contenders to keep an eye out for in the coming year.
Daniel Toledo Victorious at Ultimate Guard European Magic Series
The Ultimate Guard European Magic Series in Antwerp brought together a staggering 1,166 competitors, all vying for cash prizes, Pro Tour qualification, and two coveted seats at Magic World Championship 32. After fourteen tense rounds of Modern and a razor-sharp Top 8, it was Spain's Daniel Toledo who hoisted the trophy, piloting Boros Energy to victory with confidence, precision, and—most memorably—two spicy copies of
The finals featured a showdown between Toledo and Italy's Guglielmo Lupi, the latest Magic Online Champions Showcase winner. Lupi brought Amulet Titan to the table, a deck capable of explosive ramp turns and infinite combos, but it ultimately faltered against Toledo's
Because Lupi had already earned an invitation to Magic World Championship 32 through his MOCS triumph, the World Championship slot normally awarded to the event's runner-up passed down to 3rd-place finisher Pierre Liebsch, who now joins both finalists on the road to the game's biggest stage in November 2026.
The Top 8 showcased a compelling mix of decks emblematic of Modern's breadth. While Boros Energy claimed the title and Amulet Titan reached the finals, the Top 8 elimination rounds also featured representatives of Jeskai Blink, Izzet Prowess, Ruby Storm, and Izzet Affinity. That diversity reflected the broader field, where the three most popular archetypes—Jeskai Blink, Boros Energy, and Izzet Prowess—each converted at least one pilot into a Top 8 contender. A wide variety of strategies also appeared among the Modern decklists of the Top 36 players in the final standings.
The release of Magic: The Gathering® | Avatar: The Last Airbender™ brought only a light touch to the weekend's metagame. The most-played new-to-Modern cards were
With 36 invitations to Pro Tour Lorwyn Eclipsed at stake, Antwerp delivered a weekend of intense competition and memorable camaraderie. The hall buzzed throughout the weekend as hundreds more joined side events, battled in Last Chance Qualifiers, and took part in on-site festivities. Live coverage aired on Fanfinity's YouTube channel, allowing fans to follow the action closely.
Congratulations again to Daniel Toledo, the Regional Champion, as well as the full roster of players who earned invitations to upcoming premier events. The road to the next Pro Tour grows closer, and Antwerp offered a thrilling glimpse of the talent and creativity that continue to shape the European competitive scene.
Nathan Goldberg Wins US Regional Championship with Amulet Titan
Almost 1,400 players gathered for the second US Regional Championship of this cycle, this time in Las Vegas, Nevada. Here, 32 Pro Tour invitations and a seat at the World Championship were on the line, and after 15 Modern Swiss rounds and a Top 8 playoff, Nathan Goldberg emerged victorious with Amulet Titan. This was Goldberg's first Regional Championship Top 8, though he earned a 6th-place finish at the 2025 Magic Online Champions Showcase in May.
Goldberg faced Jospeh Puglisi on Izzet Metalcraft in the finals. This unique deck harnessed the power of longtime favorites like
The Top 8 included decks that reflect both current Modern favorites like Boros Energy, Amulet Titan, Domain Zoo, and Esper Blink, as well as a few surprises like the aforementioned Izzet Metalcraft and the return of a build of
Despite being the most popular deck of the weekend on Day One, Jeskai Blink failed to put any copies into the Top 8, though plenty of Jeskai Blink pilots still qualified for the Pro Tour with a Top 32 finish. Amulet Titan continues to rise in popularity, as the deck's power proves to be worth the steep learning curve, but the primary story of the Modern metagame continues to be the diversity of viable decks, with no Day One deck choice getting more than 14% of the metagame share.
Congratulations again to US Regional Champion Nathan Goldberg and all 32 players who earned a Pro Tour invitation!
Owen Turcotte Wins the Canadian Regional Championship with Jeskai Blink
For the Canadian Regional Championship, 374 of the best players from across Canada gathered in Calgary to compete in two days of Modern Magic for a chance at twelve Pro Tour invites and a seat at the World Championship. At the end of the Top 8, Owen Turcotte emerged victorious with Jeskai Blink. It was Turcotte's first Regional Championship Top Finish.
Turcotte faced Aidan Mirabelli on Boros Energy in the finals. It was a matchup that reflected the Modern metagame in Calgary, as Jeskai Blink and Boros Energy were the two favorite decks of RC players. This was Mirabelli's second Regional Championship Top 8. His first was in January 2025, when the format was also Modern.
The Top 8 also included Dominic Harvey, a widely acknowledged expert on Amulet Titan who played his signature deck, and Eduardo Sajgalik, who made his first Grand Prix Top 8 in 2011.
You can see all twelve of the decks piloted by Pro Tour qualifying players here.
Congratulations again to Canadian Regional Champion Owen Turcotte and all the players who earned a Pro Tour invitation!