Everything's about to change.

With the arrival of Core Set 2020 (scheduling is open now!), the benefits of the new Wizards Play Network come into full effect. That means you're going to hear the phrase "for the first time" a lot—and not just for Promo Packs and up-to-the-day-of-the-event scheduling, either.

We've got a few surprise "firsts" coming with M20, above and beyond what you already know about, and we couldn't be more excited.

Let's take a look:

Prerelease Starts Friday at 3PM

First thing's first: we're very excited to roll out the first-ever global test of Friday Prerelease. When you log in to WER to sign up for Prerelease (do it today!), you'll see Friday, July 5 available as an option.

Note that the official "start time" is 3PM (in your local time) and that July 8–12 remain blackout dates globally (i.e. no sales until launch). This test includes the Prerelease Early Sale Promotion, meaning, on Friday, you can sell advance boxes in quantities equal to the number of Buy-a-Box promos you receive.

Sign up!

Universal Promo Packs—With War of the Spark Japanese-Only Planeswalkers

One of the major innovations of the new WPN is the advent of the universal Promo Pack. You’ll receive an allocation of Promo Packs based on the Tickets and Engaged Players you accumulated between May 13, 2018 and May 13, 2019.

Within each Promo Pack there are four card slots:

• A promo-stamped rare or mythic rare from the most recent set.
• A promo-stamped rare or mythic rare from a short, curated list. (These lists will be public.)*
• A promo-stamped alternate art basic land.
• A promo card.

*Best asterisk ever: one in four Promo Packs will include a War of the Spark Japanese alternate-art planeswalker card, previously found only in Japanese War of the Spark booster packs. (The alt-art planeswalker will replace the rare or mythic in slot two.)

Two quick reminders before we move on. One: Buy-a-Box promos remain stand-alone cards, and you'll get an allocation based on Tickets and Engaged Players. Two: one in four Promo Packs will include all foil contents. (The packs will be clearly identifiable from the packaging.)

Scheduling Available Up to the Day of the Event

Beginning today, scheduling windows will remain open until the day of the event.

Some caveats about this.

One, it's still crucial that you schedule Prerelease, and that you do it right away. We'll automatically go with your preferred distributor unless you tell us otherwise. Go here to change your preferred distributor.

Two, it's how we'll determine allocations for future sets. Prerelease allocations work exactly the same in the new WPN—they're based on attendance at recent Prereleases.

Scheduling early, for all events, remains as important as ever. The main reason is to get exposure in the Event Locator. If you don't schedule, you're automatically putting yourself at a disadvantage with all the stores that do.

An Event Specifically for Commander

We’re overjoyed to say that scheduling is now open for the first-ever Commander-specific in-store event!

This season's Magic Weekend coincides with the release of Commander 2019, making it the perfect way to support sales. Commander Weekend will feature Commander variants recommended by Magic's design studio, with achievement cards. (These will be available for download closer to the event.)

For prize support, we recommend reserving about 20% of your Promo Packs for Commander Weekend—one for each participant and one for any player that completes the achievement card.

Sign up!

WPN Premium Marketing Kits

In addition to the universal marketing kit coming to all WPN members in 2019—with a set poster, a dry erase event poster, and a product display (see more details here)—we'll send WPN Premium members their first Premium-only marketing materials in September.

Specifically:

A rotating Welcome Deck display.

A large poster frame.

A lighted sign.

If you're curious whether Premium is right for you, or if you're interested in pursuing it, check out this article for more information.

In the meantime, log into Wizards Event Reporter and schedule your M20 season today!