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Magic: The Gathering Guide
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| First Released | Type |
|---|---|
| August 30, 1993 | Collectible Trading Card Game |
| Creator | Publisher |
| Richard Garfield | Wizards of the Coast |
Magic: The Gathering (also known as MTG or Magic) is a collectible trading card game created by Richard Garfield. The first MTG set, Limited Edition Alpha, was first released back in 1993. Since then Magic: The Gathering has exploded into a massive cultural hit, boasting over 50 million players globally.
How to Play Magic the Gathering
If you're looking to get started playing Magic: The Gathering, you can choose the standard tabletop route or playing online. Below are some of the best resources online for learning to play, how the game works, and other ways to get the Magic experience.
Upcoming Sets
We're barely into 2026, but we already have a pretty full MTG release schedule ahead of us and a massive list of sets behind us. Here's a quick rundown of what new sets to expect this year, which will all be added directly into the Standard format upon release:
- Lorwyn Eclipsed - January 23, 2026 (Out Now)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - March 6, 2026 (Preorders Live)
- Secrets of Strixhaven - April 24, 2026
- Marvel Superheroes - June 26, 2026
- The Hobbit - August 2026
- Reality Fracture - October 2026
- Star Trek - November 2026
Other Ways to Play Magic
Magic: The Gathering is the world's most popular card game, but there are a wide variety of different ways to explore the game's many worlds and interact with its eclectic cast of characters, such as some fun multiplayer board games and older video games that are now defunct.
Up Next: Every MTG Set Released
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Initial Release: Aug 30, 1993