WPN Store Standard

1. Scope

This policy applies to all WPN-approved stores, including their owners, employees, and anyone acting on behalf of the store in an official capacity.

It covers store operations and any events scheduled in EventLink, whether held at the primary store location or an approved alternate venue. This policy establishes the operational standards required for a store to remain in good standing within the Wizards Play Network (WPN).

2. Policy Statement

The Wizards Play Network (WPN) is built on stores that provide positive, reliable spaces for players to meet and play. To participate in the WPN, stores must meet and maintain specific operational standards to ensure events are run fairly, communities feel welcome, and players have a consistent experience across all WPN locations.

Failure to meet these requirements may result in enforcement action by the Wizards Investigations Team, up to and including probation or termination from the Wizards Play Network and related activities, at Wizards' sole and absolute discretion.

3. Store Obligations

To remain in good standing within the WPN, stores must meet the following obligations:

• Keep Wizards account information secure. Login credentials must not be shared.
  • Each owner or manager must operate using their own individual Wizards account.
• Wizards accounts must be registered to individuals, not store names or business locations.
  • For example: if Ajani Goldmane owns Ajani's Card Shop, the first/last name registration for his Wizards account should be Ajani Goldmane and not Ajani's Card Shop.
  • When store ownership is transferred or a new manager is added, that individual must create their own Wizards account.
• Host at least one event, scheduled in EventLink, every quarter to maintain active membership.
• All events scheduled in EventLink must be reported accurately and must reflect play that actually occurred. Click HERE for more information on how to accurately report an event.
• Host events scheduled in EventLink only at approved venues.
  • Pre-approval is required for any alternate play locations. Click HERE for more information on how to add an additional play location.
• EventLink must be used only for Hasbro or Wizards of the Coast events.
• Programmed events must be held in the predetermined event format.
  • i.e. Standard Showdown – Magic: The Gathering® | Avatar: The Last Airbender™ can only be held Standard and cannot be held in Commander.
  • Click HERE for more information on programmed events.
• WPN stores must operate from a physically standalone retail location.
  • Must not reside within another business.
  • Must not share direct, immediate play space with another business.
• WPN stores must comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Professional Conduct and Community Safety

1. Scope

This policy applies to all Wizards Play Network (WPN) stores, including their owners, employees, and anyone acting on behalf of the store in an official capacity, when conducting or promoting activities associated with Wizards Play Network programs.

It covers behavior, content, and events that occur in-store, around the store, or at any location used to host events scheduled in EventLink. This includes communications made through social media or other channels used to represent the store and its Wizards Play Network activities.

2. Policy Statement

WPN stores are expected to uphold standards of professionalism, safety, and inclusion in every aspect of their participation in the Wizards Play Network. Each store plays a role in fostering a community where players, staff, and visitors feel respected, welcomed, and safe.

Unprofessional, aggressive, or discriminatory behavior or content has no place in the WPN. This includes, but is not limited to, conduct or communication that is hateful, bigoted, harassing, or otherwise harmful to others, or that undermines the inclusive and professional environment expected of WPN stores.

Wizards may take action on any verified report of conduct that violates this policy, up to and including probation or removal from the Wizards Play Network.

3. Store Obligations

Stores must ensure that hateful, bigoted, discriminatory, harassing, or otherwise harmful content or physical materials do not appear in:

• their stores
• approved play venues
• official platforms
• social media accounts
• public channels used to represent WPN activities

Stores are required to actively monitor for and promptly remove any such content.

Store owners, employees, and representatives must model professional conduct in all public-facing contexts, recognizing that they serve as representatives of the WPN and Wizards of the Coast community standards.

Promotional Materials and Product Handling

1. Scope

This policy governs how Wizards Play Network (WPN) stores manage, use, and release Wizards of the Coast promotional materials and products. It applies to all materials and items provided to stores for marketing, organized play, or sales purposes.

This includes requirements related to the timing and handling of product releases, the protection of confidential or unreleased product information, and the proper use and distribution of promotional items provided through the WPN.

2. Policy Statement

Product Release

Stores may not sell, distribute, or otherwise make Wizards of the Coast products available before the earliest authorized release date. This includes providing products to owners, staff, or employees before those dates.

This requirement applies to all products, including sealed boxes, booster packs, single cards, and any bonus or bundled items.

• Preorders are permitted provided that the product is not delivered, distributed, or picked up before the earliest authorized release date.
  • The authorized release date must be clearly listed wherever the product is offered for sale.
• Midnight releases are not permitted for any Hasbro or Wizards of the Coast products.
  • Prerelease events may begin as early as noon local time.

Click HERE for release date information.

• Videos or content previewing unreleased Magic: The Gathering products, called "box breaking", may be posted no earlier than four (4) days before the earliest authorized release date and only after the full card set has been officially previewed through Wizards channels
  • The earliest authorized release date mustbe clearly mentioned in the video and post or description.
• Content previewing Dungeons & Dragons products may be posted no earlier than the earliest authorized release date.
  • Full pages may not be shown at any time, including after release.
  • Stores may share limited excerpts from products, such as artwork, a stat block, a short paragraph, etc.

If you receive product earlier than authorized, or receive product you were not expecting, you must contact WPN Retail Support immediately for guidance HERE.

Sharing or advertising unreleased product or content prior to official authorization is a policy violation and may result in enforcement action, up to and including termination from the Wizards Play Network, at Wizards' sole and absolute discretion.

Promotional Items

Promotional cards and materials are intended to reward players and support in-store events. They are not intended for sale and may not be used to incentivize unrelated product purchases.

• Promotional items must be distributed in accordance with event and promotional material guidelines and only for the correct event.
  • Promotional items are not to be sold outright and must be given free of charge. Selling promotional items intended for player distribution is a policy violation.
  • Stores may charge fees for entry for events.
• Promo buybacks: Stores may buy back promotional items from players after those items have been correctly awarded. Once purchased, these items become part of regular store inventory and may be resold.
• Promo details change with each release as products and distribution plans vary.
  • Store owners are responsible for reviewing release-specific promo usage policies and ensuring employee compliance.
  • Click HERE for all up-to-date information about each release and its promos.
• Unless otherwise stated in release specific guidance, promotional items cannot be used as sweeteners or "gift with purchase" to encourage purchases.
• Surplus: Unless otherwise stated in promo guidance, surplus promotional items from previous releases may be used as participation prizes in events scheduled in EventLink, except for Premier Play events such as Regional Championship Qualifiers. These items may only be used after the season in which they were issued has concluded.
  • i.e., FINAL FANTASY™ Holiday Commander Box League Promo: Yuna, Grand Summoner was included in the Magic: The Gathering® | Avatar: The Last Airbender™ marketing kit. If a store has extra copies or is unable to host the original event for which the promo was intended, the promo may be used as participation prizing once the season has ended. The Magic: The Gathering® | Avatar: The Last Airbender™ season ends on the earliest authorized release date of Lorwyn Eclipsed
• Free Marketing Kit materials, such as posters, cutouts, or banners, may not be sold but can be given away ninety (90) days after prerelease.
  • Click HERE for more information on WPN marketing materials.

Following these rules ensures fair and consistent access to promotional items for all players and stores across the Wizards Play Network.

3. Store Obligations

WPN stores are responsible for understanding and following all parts of this policy. Store owners and staff must ensure that product and promotional items are handled correctly, and that players receive the appropriate materials for each event.

• Know your promos. Store owners are required to know which promos belong to each release, including which items are designated as programmed event promos, or participation rewards. This information is listed on the Promo Usage page for every release.
• Know your inventory. Stores are responsible for knowing what is being sold from their location. The store owner is ultimately accountable if promotional items are sold, even if the sale was made by an employee.
• Stay informed. Promo details and usage guidelines can change from one release to the next. Check the Promo Usage and Release Dates pages regularly for the latest information.

Proxy Use and Counterfeits

1. Scope

This policy applies to all Wizards Play Network (WPN) stores and outlines the acceptable and prohibited use of Magic: The Gathering cards, related products and Dungeons & Dragons products. It defines what constitutes an official proxy, clarifies the use of playtest and counterfeit cards, and establishes the limits of what may be sold, traded, or used in events scheduled in EventLink.

2. Policy Statement

WPN stores are expected to uphold the integrity of the WPN by using and selling authentic Wizards of the Coast products. All cards, books, accessories, and merchandise offered for sale or used in events scheduled in EventLink, must be genuine Wizards products.

Stores are responsible for being aware of what is being used in their events and sold at their store. Items that copy, imitate, or misuse Wizards' intellectual property, such as counterfeit cards or unlicensed merchandise, are not permitted in any WPN stores or events.

Official Proxy

• A card issued by an event judge to temporarily replace a damaged or unplayable card during a specific event. These are the only form of proxies permitted for events scheduled in EventLink.

Player-made Playtest Cards

• Cards that players can mockup to test how a deck might play. They can't be used in events scheduled in EventLink or sold in stores. These cannot look like authentic Magic cards.

Official Wizards Playtest Cards

• These cards are sometimes distributed through limited programs such as Mystery Boosters or Gavin's Unknown Events hosted at conventions. They follow the same rules for play: they're authentic Wizards products and can be sold, traded and used in events scheduled in EventLink.

Counterfeit Cards

• Unauthorized reproductions, fakes or unauthorized custom cards designed to look or function like real Magic cards, are strictly prohibited. These may not be sold, traded or printed within a WPN store or used in any capacity within events scheduled in EventLink.
• If you believe you have received counterfeit product, please contact us here.

Infringing Products

• Any merchandise or accessories that misuse Wizards of the Coast and related licensors' intellectual property, are not allowed to be sold, traded, or distributed through WPN stores or events. All Wizards' products must be from authorized distributors.
  • Dungeons & Dragons - Unauthorized Copies or Replicas
    • Stores may not sell, distribute, or permit the use of unauthorized, pirated, or counterfeit copies or replicas of Dungeons & Dragons products.
  • For information on permitted fan-created materials, refer to the Fan Content Policy HERE.

3. Store Obligations

WPN stores are responsible for maintaining awareness of what happens in their store and during their events. Store owners and staff are expected to ensure that only authentic Wizards of the Coast products are used in events scheduled in EventLink and sold through their location.

Stores are responsible for knowing:

• When and how judge-issued proxies may be used.
• What types of cards can and cannot be played in events scheduled in EventLink.
  • i.e., Proxies' vs Player-made Playtest Cards
• What products can and cannot be sold, traded, or displayed in-store.
• Knowing that all products sold are authentic and sourced appropriately.

If a store discovers counterfeit cards or other infringing products, whether through a vendor, shipment, trade-in, or player, they are expected to remove those items from their inventory and not allow them to be used or sold. Stores may report counterfeit or suspicious products to Wizards of the Coast for review, but their primary obligation is to prevent these products from being available within their store or used in events.

Players using unofficial products or player-made playtest cards may not be reported for play in EventLink.

Responsibility for Staff

1. Scope

This policy applies to all Wizards Play Network (WPN) stores, including their owners, employees, and anyone acting on behalf of the store in an official capacity.

2. Policy Statement

Anyone involved with a WPN store in an official capacity, including owners, employees, volunteers, event organizers, or other facilitators, must uphold standards of conduct that ensure a safe environment for players of all ages.

Individuals with a history of serious offenses that compromise or pose a risk to the safety of players or the community are not permitted to participate in store operations.

Stores are responsible for conducting background checks as appropriate in compliance with Section 5 of the WPN Terms and Conditions and any local laws and regulations.

3. Store Obligations

Stores must ensure that owners, employees, volunteers, and any individuals acting in an official store capacity undergo background checks, where permitted by law, and in accordance with Section 5 of the WPN Terms and Conditions.

Stores acknowledge and agree to these requirements upon joining the WPN.