For the Sorcery community in New Zealand, Auckland needs no introduction. It's where Erik’s Curiosa calls home, and this August, that home plays host to New Zealand’s 2026 Grand Contest at the Auckland Card Show.

This marks a landmark moment for the New Zealand community and the wider APAC region, and the Erik's Curiosa team cuoldn't be more excited to welcome players from across the country and around the world to compete, connect, and celebrate Sorcery on the fair shores of Aotearoa.

Auckland Showgrounds, Auckland, New Zealand

The Grand Contest takes center stage across the weekend, with 6 Swiss rounds on Saturday feeding into a top 8 playoff on Sunday to crown the champion. As a Grand Contest, that means the Constructed tournament will attract prizing befitting such a glorious event.

Additionally, the Grand Contest winner will also receive an 

, one of the only ways to get this extraordinary prize outside of the US. The runner-up will receive an Exceptional Gothic print sheet.

Draft and Team Sealed side events will run on Saturday and Sunday respectively, with prize support to be announced. If constructed play isn’t your format, there will be plenty of other ways to contest the realm across the full weekend.

And we’re not just awarding prizes for how well you play the game! We want to see all your creativity on display, building and adding to the sense of wonder the Contested Realm holds. More on that to come.

As part of your ticket, you’ll also have access to the Auckland Card Show for the whole weekend. For Matt Rogers, one of the co-organizers of the Auckland Card Show, the opportunity to have Erik’s Curiosa host a Grand Contest directly at the event is about something bigger than a tournament result.

“What excited us most is the opportunity to showcase just how passionate and connected the Sorcery community has become across New Zealand and throughout APAC,” he shares. “New Zealand has always had an incredibly strong grassroots TCG culture and seeing Sorcery continue to grow from here has been amazing.”

That’s a sentiment we share deeply. To host a Grand Contest on our home turf, in the city where the game was created, and to be able to open that stage to players from across New Zealand and the world, is something the team has been looking forward to for a long time.

Sorcery lives at the intersection of strategic and artistic expression and as part of that, we’re honoured to announce that Sorcery Artist Lindsey Crummett will be present at the Erik’s Curiosa booth displaying her work as well as offering prints and signings on cards.

Members of the Erik’s Curiosa team will be present at the event, both as part of the Grand Contest and the Sorcery booth. Learn to Play Sorcery directly from the team, see original art on display, and talk directly with the design team about all things from the Contested Realm. You might even walk away with a goodie or two…

Tickets for side events will be purchasable on the day via the Erik’s Curiosa booth.

Sorcery's Grand Contest comes to New Zealand

 is still a few months away, but with travel plans to make and hotel rooms to book, here's what the weekend looks like so you can start planning your trip to Boston.

Whether you're coming to compete in the Main Event, experience 

, enjoy Open Play, or simply spend time with fellow Sorcerers and the Erik's Curiosa team, we'll share more about what to expect as November approaches - but here is the weekend at a glance.

Please note that all times are Eastern. Doors open Friday, November 13 at 12:00 PM, and the weekend wraps up Sunday, November 15 at 7:00 PM.

Artists, side events, and additional programming will be announced in the months ahead.

Please note that all times are Eastern time. Doors open Friday, November 13 at 12:00 PM, and the weekend wraps up Sunday, November 15 at 7:00 PM.

 Hotel Block. Rooms are still available Friday and Saturday nights at reduced hotel block pricing. A link to the hotel booking page was included in your purchase confirmation email. We encourage you to book now to secure your room.

Avatar of the Realm: Weekend at a Glance

Whether you are preparing for your first major Sorcery event or planning a season-long quest toward the Avatar of the Realm, 

 are where communities converge at the regional level. Each event brings together players ready to prove their mastery of the Realm, alongside the artists, stories, friendships, and unforgettable moments that make Sorcery unlike anything else.

Wondering what a Grand Contest is like? Here’s a 

SCG CON Washington marked the first Grand Contest of 2026, where more than 75 players gathered for the opening of the Sorcery Organized Play season. Read the 

Below you will find the current Grand Contest events for 2026. Additional details, registration information, and event-specific programming will be announced throughout the year, with the links below updated as information becomes available.

Grand Contest Netherlands, SorceryFest — July 3-5

Grand Contest Melbourne, Plenty of Games — July 25-26

Grand Contest Auckland, Auckland Card Show — August 15-16

Grand Contest Germany, White Rabbit — September 5-6

Grand Contest Italy, Magic Maze — September 26-27

Grand Contest Adelaide, Good Games — October 3-4

Grand Contest UK, Spellbound Games — October 3

Grand Contest Sorcerers at the Core — December 3-6

Every Grand Contest brings its own stories, and we will be sharing them throughout the year across Sorcery's socials. Be sure to share your photos and moments with us and the community on the 

and community groups, and keep an eye out for recaps, highlights, and announcements as the season unfolds.

We will see you at the next Grand Contest.

Are You Ready for Sorcery's Grand Contests?

2026 Organized Play Begins

Grand Contest Schedule 2026

Follow the Season

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Sorcery's Grand Contest comes to New Zealand

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