Commander is Magic: The Gathering's most popular multiplayer format and one of the best ways to bring together and grow your store's Magic community. Its blend of creative deck building and social gameplay makes it accessible to nearly every type of player, from newcomers and casual fans to those seeking structured play through leagues and tournaments.

Whether you're introducing Commander to your store or looking to level up your existing events, here's how to make the most of this fan-favorite way to play.

What Is Commander?

Commander is one of Magic: The Gathering’s most popular formats for both one-on-one (1v1) and multiplayer play. Its roots run deep in the player community, born from the creativity of players who wanted longer, more social games filled with big, memorable plays. This early version, known as Elder Dragon Highlander (or EDH), evolved over time into the modern Commander format.

Today, Commander is officially supported by Wizards of the Coast through dedicated products and ongoing collaboration with the Commander Format Panel, which helps guide the format's continued growth and development.

Overview of the Commander Format

One of the Commander format's virtues is the relative ease of learning how to play it.

• Deck construction: Each deck contains exactly 100 cards, including one legendary creature that serves as the commander. All cards in a Commander deck must share the commander's color identity. A card's color identity includes all colors from its mana cost and any mana symbols in its rules text. Cards in a Commander deck may not include colors outside the commander's color identity, but colorless cards are allowed.
• Singleton rule: No duplicate cards are allowed (except basic lands, cards that specifically allow multiples, or under special Commander event rules).
• Command zone: Each player's commander begins the game in the command zone and can be cast from there as though it were in their hand.
• Recasting: If a commander would go to the graveyard, exile, library, or hand, the player may return it to the command zone instead. It costs two extra mana each time it's recast from there.
• Life total: Players start with 40 life instead of 20.
• Pods and play: Commander is usually played in pods of three to five players (four is the sweet spot), though 1v1 Commander matches are also popular.
• First turn: In multiplayer matches, each player draws on their first turn, promoting balanced gameplay.

For complete rules and details, visit the Commander format page.

Running Great Commander Events in Your Store

Commander events can be as casual or as structured as you and your players would like them to be. The format's flexibility makes it perfect for weekly play nights, leagues, and special events.

Setting Up in Wizards EventLink

Commander events can be easily scheduled in Wizards EventLink (here's a guide to using Wizards EventLink). They are typically scheduled as Casual, Player List Only, a structure that keeps things simple for you and players:

• You only need to upload an attendance list—no pairings or match results are required.
• Commander events scheduled ahead of time appear in the Store & Event Locator where players can find them.
• Anytime there is Commander play in your store, you can schedule and register players in a casual event to record the play for your metrics. Take advantage of the event QR code available in Wizards EventLink—display it in your space so players can use the Magic Companion app to easily register and start playing, and you can get credit for your metrics!

Many stores schedule one or two Commander nights per week, ensuring players know exactly when they can show up for reliable games.

Commander events can be set up as open play, leagues, or themed events, so be creative and tailor to what your community enjoys. If your players want an event with a bit more structure, schedule 1v1 Commander events using the Swiss pairing method for a more competitive feel.

WPN Commander Program Events

WPN stores can schedule several seasonal Commander programs that come with themed event support, collectible promos, and marketing materials:

• Commander Party: A story-driven event that ties directly into the current Magic set's narrative. It's a fun, engaging way for players to experience the new sets through the Commander format.
• Commander Box League: A league-style format that allows players to dive into a new set in Commander style across multiple play sessions and earn prizes.
• Two-Headed Giant Commander Night: A cooperative version of the Commander format where teams of two share life totals and turns.

Each of these events awards Commander promo cards that are sent as part of your set marketing kit, but feel free to expand your prize offerings as you see fit!

Don't forget to visit the Marketing Materials page for ready-to-use digital assets that make it easy to promote these Commander events at your store.

You can find all upcoming Commander program events and their details from the Events page.

Entry Fees

As with all WPN events, entry fees for Commander events are entirely at your discretion.

Improving Matchups: The Commander Bracket System

A newer development in Commander play is the Commander Bracket system. Currently in beta, being tested and improved, its purpose is to help players find games with decks of similar power levels, making them more enjoyable for everyone.

How it works

• Players self-assess their deck's power level or use store guidance to categorize it.
• Decks are grouped into numbered brackets, 1 through 5, representing the general power of decks within it.
• Players and organizers can then set up games between comparable decks within a bracket, ensuring balanced play experiences.

Benefits

• Smoother event flow with fewer disputes about deck strength.
• Increased player satisfaction.
• Easier onboarding for new or returning players.

For the latest updates on Commander Brackets, visit the Commander format page.

Prizing Commander Events

Prizing is one of the best opportunities to enhance player engagement and encourage repeat attendance. Commander's social nature means that prizing can reward participation, creativity, and community beyond just competitive outcomes.

WPN Program Prizing

For WPN-supported Commander events Commander Party, Commander Box League, and Two-Headed Giant Commander Night, participating players receive Commander promos while supplies last. These promos are included in your set marketing kits and are great baseline prizes—you have the option of customizing your events with additional prizes.

Custom Store Prizing

For Commander events, you have creative freedom when designing prizing that fits your store's community. Promo Packs are great options for prizing, for example.

For tips, ideas, and guidance on successful prizing, check out the article How to Prize Your Events for Maximum Impact.

Consider options like:

• Participation rewards: Give every player a small prize just for joining in. These are excellent for promoting fun and casual environments.
• League points: Encourage ongoing play by letting players earn points over multiple events that they can redeem later for prizes.
• Peer voting: Allow players to vote on categories like "most epic play" or "made the whole table laugh or cheer during a turn."
• Achievement systems: Create a checklist of fun in-game goals, such as "deal 21 damage with your commander" or "cast five or more spells during a single turn." And don't forget social or seasonal-based achievements, such as "teach a new player a rule or mechanic during a game" and "play a Halloween deck featuring only traditional scary creatures (like Vampires, Zombies, Demons, etc.)."

Promo Packs, Play and Collector Boosters, and Commander decks all make great rewards.

Promoting Commander Play

Promotion is key to building and sustaining a strong Commander community. The more visibility your events have, the more consistent player attendance will be. Here are a few tips on promoting your events:

1. Schedule early and often

Use Wizards EventLink to post Commander events in advance so they appear on your Store & Event Locator listing. A consistent weekly schedule helps players build a habit of attending and reassures them that they'll find other players to battle.

2. Use official marketing assets

Visit the WPN Marketing Materials page to access downloadable Commander event assets. These materials include social media graphics, posters, and play aids, many of which offer space for you to add your own store and event details.

3. Take advantage of the WPN Marketing Portal assets

The WPN Marketing Portal offers a great array of in-store customizable materials that can help you advertise products and events. Available to stores in North America and now stores in EMEA, you can find items like tension fabric displays, sidewalk signs, flyers and more that can be customized with your store and event details.

4. Promote events in-store and online

Maintain a physical calendar of upcoming events in your store and a digital calendar on your website—make it as easy as possible for players to find when to come to your store to play:

• Display posters and flyers in your play area.
• Add event listings to your website and online community spaces, such as Discord.
• Share reminders on social media a few days before each event.

At the start of events, take a moment to announce upcoming events and Commander nights, and invite players to bring their friends.

5. Foster player-led growth

Commander communities can flourish when players feel ownership of their experience. Encourage them to:

• Share their decks on social media.
• Host deck-building meetups in-store.
• Mentor new players or help guide preconstructed deck upgrades.

This kind of interaction helps generate enthusiasm and builds loyalty in a way no marketing campaign can replicate.

Final Tips and Best Practices

The Commander format embodies relaxed fun, social engagement, and creativity. A few guiding principles can help you keep your events popular and exciting:

• Prize for fun: Flat or participation-based prizing helps maintain a friendly atmosphere without the pressures of performance and winning.
• Balance pods: Use the Commander Bracket system or your own methods to match decks of similar power levels.
• Stock Commander decks: Keep Commander preconstructed decks in stock and available so new players can jump into the format and existing players can expand their repertoire of decks.
• Host deck-building events: Offer occasional Commander deck building sessions for players to collaborate, trade, and refine their decks.
• Celebrate community moments: Highlight player milestones, unique decks, or creative achievements on your store's social channels.

Commander can be more than a format; it can be a community engine. By providing a welcoming space with consistent, supported Commander events, you'll cultivate lasting engagement with a proven popular way to play, increase store metrics, and grow a thriving Magic community centered around your store.