On September 5-6, 2026, Sorcery returns to the big stage with a Grand Contest in Gelsenkirchen, welcoming players from across Europe for a weekend that promises to be far more than a tournament.

Location: Event Center Kaue, Gelsenkirchen, Germany

 Store in Germany, has been a longtime champion of Sorcery, building from a handful of attendees to a thriving weekly community of nearly 20 regulars. New players keep finding their way to Sorcery, and those who discover it quickly become regulars. "They support each other to come and play and encourage new players to try the game," Heiner says. "We are really thankful and happy to have such a community prospering in the Realm."

White Rabbit Community Game Store, has earned its reputation as a community-first store (it's even baked into the name). For Heiner, "Community Game Store" is a philosophy centered around real tables and the Sorcery community reflects that. From early learn-to-play sessions to weekly tournaments, the store's own 

 event, White Rabbit has been steadily building toward something bigger.

The Grand Contest is the constructed championship for Sorcery's regional stage events, bringing full Grand Contest prize support to Gelsenkirchen, including exclusive Grand Contest promos, Gothic print sheet for first place, and another lucky attendee taking one home as well. But for Heiner and the White Rabbit community, the weekend is about something much larger than standings or prize tables.

"In one word: it's a privilege," Heiner says of hosting. "We are absolutely thrilled and it feels like some sort of culmination of our Sorcery journey so far."

Beyond the main event, attendees can expect a weekend packed with side quests: on-demand events in various formats, artist booths, card grading, singles to fill out collections, and the kind of unhurried conversation that only happens when the whole community ends up in one place. Heiner's vision for the weekend is something close to a vibrant fair, a true celebration of everything that makes Sorcery special.

For players with an eye on the broader season, the timing matters too. With the Avatar of the Realm on the horizon, this Grand Contest may well be the best opportunity to test and tune decks in a competitive environment before the pinnacle of Sorcery events arrives.

Ask Heiner what he's personally looking forward to, and the answer is immediate: seeing everyone there. "Meeting old friends and making new ones," he says. "We, same as anyone attending, very much welcome the event as an opportunity to get in touch with those we do not meet nearly often enough."

For a community that has grown across different cities and countries, this weekend is a chance to close the distance. Discord calls and online matches are one thing, but being in the same room is another.

"Entering the realm of this event you can expect a welcoming, open and supportive atmosphere filled with excitement and lots of positive energy," Heiner says. "Everyone's intention is to have a great time."

That's what's waiting in Gelsenkirchen this September. And if you're on the fence about making the trip, Heiner has a message for you: "Feel truly welcome. No matter your experience level or gameplay skills, this is the place you'd like to be that weekend in the realm of Sorcery. Let's make this Grand Contest a memorable event for all of us, with you being part of it."

Sorcery's Grand Contest Comes to Germany

On October 10th, 2026, Montreal becomes the center of the realm. Erik's Curiosa has partnered with the Assorted Animals to bring a Grand Contest north of the border for the first time, and players from across North America are invited to make the trip to Canada.

It all started with six people in a basement with electrical tape on the floor marking out the borders of a realm they'd never actually played on before. That's where the 

, the name this ragtag group of Montrealers gave themselves, started out. And now, after years of building one of North America's most celebrated Sorcery communities, they're hosting the first official Canadian Grand Contest in Sorcery history.

Like a lot of players who found their way to Sorcery, the Assorted Animals came with previous TCG experience. They were chasing a feeling,  the one old school TCGs used to give you, that sense of discovery and possibility every time you sat down to play. When they heard about Sorcery, something clicked.

The name for their group came from scrolling through the collection of cards on Sorcery's official deckbuilder, 

, when they saw the perfect card: Assorted Animals, illustrated by Vasiliy Ermolaev. From that moment on, they had their identity.

And they've been building on it ever since. What started as a handful of friends improvising a realm in someone's basement has grown into one of the most celebrated Sorcery communities in North America, known as much for the warmth of their welcome as for the quality of their play.

The Grand Contest is a constructed tournament with prizes worthy of Sorcery's biggest regional stage. But for the Assorted Animals, this event is about something much larger than the standings.

"Hosting a Grand Contest is the highest honor we could have been granted," says Anthony, one of the heads of the Assorted Animals. "Words will never suffice to describe the feeling."

That feeling is something they've been building toward since the electrical tape days. The community they've created has always been rooted in inclusion, the idea that the table is big enough for everyone, regardless of where you're coming from or how long you've been playing.

"When all newcomers leave, they won't just feel like they've been incorporated into our community. They will also know that we have become a part of theirs. Growing our community isn't just about adding numbers to our group,  it's about growing the community feeling at large."

Part of that community has always lived in the cards themselves. The Assorted Animals are bringing four of Sorcery's artists to Montreal: 

. These are the people whose hand-painted work you've been holding, flipping over to admire on full-art foil backs, and occasionally staring at for longer than you'd care to admit. Having them in the room, two of them from Montreal itself, is a reminder that the world of Sorcery isn't just something that exists on a card. It's made by people, and some of those people are your neighbors.

Ask the Assorted Animals what they're most looking forward to once the event is actually underway, and the answer has nothing to do with top cuts or prize tables.

"It's hard to properly describe the feeling we are trying to create without being a poet or having already experienced it yourself. We want the sort of environment where you can put all your worries aside and just disappear into the good times of the event."

That's what's waiting in Montreal this October.

Register now and support the first ever Canadian Grand Contest 

The Grand Contest Comes to Canada

Sorcery: Contested Realm is delighted to announce that celebrated fantasy artists 

Throughout the convention, both artists will be appearing at the Sorcery booth (#3046), where they’ll be signing cards, meeting players, and offering signed and numbered Gen Con exclusive art prints giving fans an early look at new artwork coming to Sorcery.

 has spent more than three decades shaping the look of fantasy gaming through his work on 

, countless fantasy publications, and now 

 This year’s Gen Con marks his first appearance at the convention in more than two decades.

has long captivated fantasy fans with a career spanning decades. His work has helped shape the visual landscape of fantasy gaming through collaborations with many of the industry’s leading publishers, including 

Whether you’re adding signatures to your favorite Sorcery cards or picking up a convention-exclusive print, don’t miss the opportunity to meet these incredible artists in person. Stay tuned as we do a deep dive on their two new original pieces in the weeks to come.

Of course, meeting our amazing artists is just a piece of the Sorcery experience at Gen Con.

Throughout the weekend, players can compete in two 

 events (no team required, we can help you find one!), learn the game in our 

sessions, or simply spend Saturday evening trading cards and sharing stories at our annual 

Whether you’re chasing a Grand Contest title, taking your very first steps into the Realm, or simply stopping by Booth #3046 to meet Drew and Alan, Gen Con 2026 promises to be one of the most memorable Sorcery celebrations of the year.

If you haven’t secured your event tickets yet, there’s still time to join us. We look forward to seeing you in Indianapolis this July.

Sorcery at Gen Con 2026: Meet Drew Tucker and Alan Pollack at Booth #3046

Join Us in Contesting the Realm

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