The fourth Grand Contest of the 2026 Organized Play season brought Sorcerers from across Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region to Plenty of Games in Melbourne for a weekend of competition, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments.
As the first of two Australian Grand Contests this season, Melbourne welcomed both seasoned competitors and new challengers, all eager to test their skills and celebrate Sorcery together.
Watch the Finals
Watch the championship match as James L's Imposter faces Reginald "The Red Mouser"'s Necromancer in an exciting Grand Contest final.
Warning: spoilers ahead!
The Top 8
The Melbourne Grand Contest showcased both the depth of competition and the creativity in deckbuilding across the Asia-Pacific region. Twenty-two different Avatars appeared over the course of the tournament, with Necromancer and Imposter leading the way at eight players each, followed by Pathfinder with six and Avatar of Air with five.
As the Swiss rounds concluded, that diversity carried through into Sunday's elimination rounds, with six different Avatars represented in the Top 8:
- James L (Imposter)
- Reginald "The Red Mouser" (Necromancer)
- Christopher L (Pathfinder)
- Davide O (Archimago)
- Matteo Callegaro (Necromancer)
- Jordan "Templar98" (Imposter)
- Mark L "Mothking" (Geomancer)
- Scott Munro (Avatar of Air)
While Necromancer and Imposter each placed two players into the Top 8, the elimination rounds proved there was no single path to victory. Every match was hard-fought, with players relying on preparation, mastery of their chosen Avatar, and strong technical play to earn their place among the weekend's best.
Congratulations to the Champion
Congratulations to James L for claiming the Melbourne Grand Contest championship with Imposter! Battling through one of the season's deepest and most varied fields is no small feat, and James now joins the growing list of 2026 Grand Contest champions.
More Than a Tournament
While incredible gameplay filled the tables all weekend, it was the people who made Melbourne truly memorable.
Nine-year-old Hugo embodied the spirit of the Sorcery community, bringing packs of token-sized sleeves to hand out to opponents and fellow players throughout the weekend. His generosity and enthusiasm earned him one of the event's Swap Community Champion promos, recognizing the positive impact he had on everyone around him.
Melbourne also welcomed competitors from across the Asia-Pacific region. Matthew travelled from New Zealand, while Jeremy made the journey from Singapore, highlighting the growing reach of Sorcery's Organized Play program and the friendships that continue to bring players together across borders.
A heartfelt thank you to the Plenty of Games team, our judges, volunteers, and every player who helped make the Melbourne Grand Contest such a memorable weekend.
The Journey Continues
With Melbourne complete, the Grand Contest season rolls on. This weekend, Gen Con hosts two Grand Contests in Indianapolis before the Grand Contest returns to New Zealand for the Auckland Card Show Grand Contest on August 15–16, followed by Adelaide on October 3–4.
Every Grand Contest adds another chapter to the 2026 season, showcasing not only incredible competition, but also the remarkable community that continues to make Sorcery special.
Whether you joined us in Melbourne or followed the action from afar, thank you for being part of the journey. We'll see you at the next Grand Contest!
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