Prerelease is more than a launch—it's a chance to welcome new and returning players, grow your community, and create lasting engagement. Whether you're a seasoned host or this is your first Prerelease, this guide will help you run a fun, smooth event that keeps players coming back.

Here you'll find event tips and recommendations to help you:

• Focus on the Fun
• Schedule Early
• Make Preregistration Easy
• Leverage Promotional Opportunities
• Use Structure and Prizing to Support Fun and Return Play
• Prepare Your Space and Deliver an Opening Announcement
• Keep Things Moving and Comfortable
• Showcase Upcoming Events
• Report and Follow Up
• Set the Standard for In-Store Play

Focus on the Fun

We've talked with successful stores and studied great Prerelease events, and the top piece of advice is consistent: focus on fun.

Prereleases should be exciting, low-pressure events where new and experienced players can explore the latest Magic set together. They are especially great at attracting new players. Highlight fun, learning, and community to help them feel at home.

• Use flat prizing to reduce the perception of competitiveness.
• Designate friendly staff and volunteers to assist with questions and deck building.

Create a Festive Atmosphere

Consider enhancing the experience of Prerelease by adding set-themed decorations (check out this Innistrad store décor for inspiration!), music, and lighting to immerse players and encourage them to bring friends. Offering light refreshments is always appreciated. You might even host a photo booth or prize drawings—create an atmosphere players will remember and want to return for.

Schedule Early

Strong turnout starts with early planning. The sooner you schedule your Prerelease events in Wizards EventLink, the more time you'll have to promote them and attract players of all experience levels.

Some best practices:

• Use the Prerelease event template in Wizards EventLink to ensure accurate metrics.
• Schedule multiple events across Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to accommodate different player schedules.
• Add weeknight options if possible to reach players with weekend conflicts and avoid overlapping schedules with other stores.

The more lead time you give yourself, the easier it is to build awareness and boost attendance.

Make Preregistration Easy

Preregistration allows players to secure their spots for events, but also helps you gauge attendance numbers, plan staffing and seating, and prepare product and promo distribution.

• Set up a clearly labeled check-in station with friendly staff to help ease nerves—especially for new players.
• Ensure your staff are trained to assist players with Wizards Account sign-up for a smooth registration process for new players.
• Encourage players to use the Magic Companion app for easy registration, real-time pairings, and seamless event tracking through Wizards EventLink. Use this Magic Companion app flyer as a quick guide to downloading the app and joining an event.
• Use Wizards EventLink QR codes for fast signups through the Magic Companion app by posting the codes online and in key store locations.

Leverage Promotional Opportunities

Prerelease can be one of your biggest sales periods of the season. Maximize your impact by:

• Promoting across multiple platforms, including:
  • Social media and email using digital marketing assets from the WPN website.
  • In-store using materials from your WPN marketing kit. For stores in the U.S., Canada, Guam, and Puerto Rico, using customizable signage from the WPN Marketing Portal.
• Ensuring staff are familiar with set products and can recommend them based on player preferences.
• Highlighting Buy-a-Box promos to encourage full box purchases.
• Having staff ready to talk about upcoming events.

For WPN Premium stores in the U.S., Canada, Guam, and Puerto Rico, don't forget to use your $300 seasonal marketing credit on the WPN Marketing Portal to create eye-catching signage and promotional displays.

Use Structure and Prizing to Support Fun and Return Play

A flexible event structure paired with inclusive prizing can go a long way in fostering participation—especially among newer or more casual players.

Consider the following suggestions:

• Limit events to 3 or 4 rounds to keep the energy high. This may also allow you to run more events in a day, accommodating more players' schedules and those who want to play in multiple events.
• Use a flat or participation-based prize model to ease competitive pressure. For example:
  • Award 1–2 booster packs to all participants or Play Booster prize packs for completing a certain number of rounds as opposed to winning matches.
  • Offer bonus prizes for sportsmanship, best deck name, or most creative play.

A welcoming, fun, and rewarding experience helps bring players back.

Prepare Your Space and Deliver an Opening Announcement

Before your Prerelease event begins, prepare land stations, assign table numbers, and post signage or seating charts if needed. This will help players get started quickly and reduce confusion during deck building.

Begin your event with a short, positive orientation to set expectations, build excitement, and help new players feel comfortable and welcomed at your store.

Be sure to:

• Welcome players and thank them for attending.
• Review store logistics like food policy, restroom location, and available game supplies.
• Highlight your code of conduct or sportsmanship expectations.
• Introduce helpers who can assist players.
• Preview upcoming events at your store.

Then, dive into the specifics of the Prerelease event, including:

• A brief description of the Sealed format and deck building
• The number of rounds and structure
• Promo and prizing details
• A review of common rules questions and a primer on new mechanics

Keep Things Moving and Comfortable

Short breaks between rounds are a great time to:

• Tidy play area and clear packaging.
• Empty trash bins and restock restrooms.
• Replenish supplies like pens and counters.
• Check in with players for questions or needs.
• Make brief announcements or reminders.

Your team plays a major role in the player experience. Make sure they:

• Understand how to answer basic Magic and Wizards EventLink questions.
• Are available to help with deck building or rules issues.
• Are visible and approachable throughout the event.

Small touches keep the event running smoothly and show that your store values a polished, player-friendly experience.

Showcase Upcoming Events

Prerelease is the ideal moment to build interest in the rest of your event calendar, especially Commander Box League, which runs concurrently with Prerelease. Talking about Friday Night Magic and monthly Two-Headed Giant Commander Night events, for example, may find a receptive audience among the new and casual players who attend Prerelease.

Great times to talk about your upcoming events are during your welcome and wrap-up announcements. Share printed or digital event calendars and suggest players follow your store social accounts or join your email list.

Report and Follow Up

Use Wizards EventLink to ensure your play counts toward important WPN metrics. Report events promptly after completion. Accurate reporting supports your product allocations and promo eligibility.

After the event, consider asking your players for feedback—what they liked, what could improve, and what they'd like to see next. This can be done informally in-store, through social posts, or via quick online surveys. Feedback helps improve events and shows you value players.

Set the Standard for In-Store Play

A successful Prerelease builds community, encourages return visits, and establishes your store as a Magic destination. It's also one of your best opportunities to make a strong first impression on new players—and keep them coming back.

Ready to get started? Schedule your Prerelease events now in Wizards EventLink and download promotional materials from the WPN Marketing Materials page. Let the excitement of the new set begin—starting at your store.