This past weekend, 128 Sorcerers from across Europe and beyond gathered in Leeuwarden, Netherlands, for SorceryFest 2026, the third Grand Contest of the 2026 Organized Play season.
Some travels only a few hours, others crossed countries to be there. Regardless of how far they came, they arrived with the same goals in mind, to compete, to meet artists, to reconnect with old friends, and to spend an entire weekend immersed in Sorcery.
By the time the Grand Contest had concluded, SorceryFest had once again proven why it has become one of the community’s most beloved annual traditions.
A Gathering of the Realm
Grand Contests celebrate competition, but SorceryFest has always been about something larger. Throughout the weekend, players filled the hall not only for the Grand Contest, but for Alpha Drafts, Gothic Drafts, King of the Hill multiplayer games, artist signings, casual play, and countless conversations between rounds.
While many competitors arrived with months of preparation behind them, others were attending their first major Sorcery event. Veterans sat across from newcomers. Rivals became trading partners. Spectators became friends.
As always, the matches were only part of the story.
Mastery on Display
While SorceryFest celebrates the entire community, the Grand Contest also represents one of Europe’s premier tests of mastery.
Spoilers ahead.
A Victory Crowned
Congratulations to Geoffrey Tejedor, whose Archimago claimed victory after navigating a field of 128 competitors. One of the weekend’s most remarkable storylines came in the finals themselves. Geoffrey and Kirran had already faced one another in the championship match of a London event just one week earlier. Against all odds, they met again with the SorceryFest title on the line.
Top 8 Decklists
- Geoffrey Tejedor (Archimago)- “iNcontrol”
- Kirran Sky (Imposter) - "Captain Planet”
- Felix Reisinger (Archimago) - “He is Always Right”
- Maarten Oosterhof (Pathfinder) - “Aggro Mono Fire”
- Marijn Jansen van Doorn (Archimago) - “FE Archimago“
- Mirko Lang (Necromancer) - “Water Necor v1“
- Pawel Urbaniak (Archimago) - “Radagast's Animals“
- Martijn Claes (Geomancer) - “Eat Sleep Earthquake Repeat“
A Snapshot of the Realm at SorceryFest
Every Grand Contest offers another glimpse into an evolving metagame, and SorceryFest continued that trend. With more than 125 competitors, players brought an extraordinary range of strategies to the tables.
Necromancer led the field with fourteen pilots, while Archimago, Geomancer, and Pathfinder each attracted twelve competitors. Sorcerer and imposter followed closely behind.
Perhaps most excitingly, more than twenty different Avatars were represented in the the Grand Contest. From Bladedancer to Corruptor, Dragonlord to Avatar of Water, competitors continued to demonstrate the creativity that defines Sorcery deckbuilding. Archimago proved the breakout story of the weekend, claiming four of the Top 8 positions; more than any Avatar has achieved at a Grand Contest so far this season. It gives players around the world another fascinating puzzle to study before Melbourne later this month.
Community Spirit
Competitive play may bring players together, but community is what keeps everyone coming back.
Beyond the championship tables, players filled casual drafts and multiplayer events while the Top 8 played out on stream. Rather than ending when players were eliminated, SorceryFest simply transformed into another opportunity to keep playing.
One especially memorable moment came after the finals, when commentator Robert was surprised live on stream with the Community Uncut Sheet in recognition of everything he has done for European Sorcery coverage.
None of this happens without the people working behind the scenes. Our sincere thanks go to Ron Dijkstra, Richard Boonstra, the Trolls of the Realm team, the judges, volunteers, artists, photographers, commentators, and everyone whose countless hours made SorceryFest possible.
Moments of Wonder
Every Grand Contest creates stories that will be retold long after the standings are forgotten.
A Pirate Ship dealing fifteen damage. A Coy Nixie, Lord of Lies and Whirling Blades combination for eighteen damage. A Courtesan Thais stealing an opponent’s turn and using their own Major Explosion to finish the game. When asked about the unforgettable defeat, the defeated player simply smiled and replied, “If you lose like this, you can only smile.”
Those are the moments that define Sorcery.
Whether it was spectacular gameplay, incredible topdecks, unforgettable drafts, or conversations that started over a trade binder and ended in lasting friendships, SorceryFest reminded us once again that the best stories are often the ones nobody could have predicted.
Creativity Beyond the Cards
Creativity has always been one of Sorcery’s defining pillars, and at SorceryFest it extended well beyond the tables.
Artists Caio Calazans, Elwira Pawlikowska, and Pedro Ferreira spent the weekend meeting players, signing cards, sharing stories behind their work, and offering original paintings and prints. For many attendees, these moments became just as memorable as the matches themselves. With players eager to have favorite cards signed, discover new pieces of artwork, and thank the illustrators whose work has helped shape the world of Sorcery, conversations often lasted far longer than the signatures themselves, turning brief encounters into lasting memories.
Looking Ahead
Three Grand Contests are now in the books, each telling a different story.
Washington DC introduced Organized Play 2026. Las Vegas showed the metagame refusing to settle. SorceryFest demonstrated just how vibrant the European community has become.
Next, the road leads to Melbourne on July 25-26 before the Organized Play season continues at Gen Con, where both Limited and Constructed Grand Contests await.
The realm keeps growing and we’ll see you at the next table.
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