A Prerelease is a special one-day event held before a new Magic set officially releases, where you build a 40-card Sealed deck from your own Prerelease Pack and play a few rounds against other players. If you already know how to play Magic, you already know how to play a Prerelease — the only things that change are how you build your deck and how the event runs. This guide covers exactly that.
Download the free printable quick guide (PDF)
Two pages you can print and keep next to you while you build.
New to Magic itself? Start with our Standard guide first, then come back here.
What's in your Prerelease Pack?
- 6 Play Boosters worth of brand-new cards (5 Play Boosters plus 1 seeded booster leaning toward a featured color pair, on character-themed sets).
- 1 traditional foil, year-stamped rare or mythic rare.
- 2 double-sided tokens, a themed Spindown die, and an Arena code.
How do you build a Sealed deck?
- Build at least 40 cards, using only what you opened plus any number of basic lands (even ones outside your pack).
- Unlike Constructed, there's no 4-copy limit in Sealed — play as many of a card as you opened.
- A 17 lands / 23 spells split is a solid starting point for most pools.
What should you prioritize?
Build around your bombs (cards that can win alone) and removal first, then fill in with efficient or evasive creatures and combat tricks. 2 colors is the sweet spot for most Sealed pools; only splash a 3rd if it's clearly worth it.
How does the event run?
- You get 45 minutes to open your pack and build your deck (75 minutes for a Two-Headed Giant Prerelease).
- Events run 3–5 rounds of Swiss pairings, no elimination, with a 50-minute timer per round.
- Prereleases run at Regular REL (Rules Enforcement Level): casual, focused on fun and learning the new set. Ask staff any question, any time.
What about prizes?
Prize packs generally scale with your match wins, and most stores spread prizes broadly rather than only to the top finishers. Ask us what our exact structure looks like.
What should you expect at your first Prerelease?
- Check in and get your Prerelease Pack.
- Open it and build your 40-card deck (45 minutes).
- Play 3–5 rounds against other players.
- Collect any prizes, then take every card home — win or lose, it's all yours.
Common terms
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Sealed | A deck built only from packs you opened at the event. |
| Bomb | A card strong enough to win the game on its own. |
| Curve | The spread of mana costs across your deck. |
| Swiss | A pairing system with no elimination — everyone plays every round. |
Quick reference
| Deck | 40 cards minimum, no copy limit, basics added freely |
| Build time | 45 minutes (75 for Two-Headed Giant) |
| Event | 3–5 Swiss rounds, 50 minutes each, Regular REL |
| Keep | Every card you open is yours, win or lose |
Printable quick guide
Everything above fits on two printable pages. Print it double-sided and keep it with you while you build.
Download the printable guide (PDF)
Official Magic rules (free)
Wizards of the Coast posts the official rules and formats for free.
- How to Play: Wizards' own beginner walkthrough, for anyone new to Magic itself.
- Sealed Deck format page: the official overview of Sealed deck construction.
Where can you play Prerelease near Newport, TN?
Landfall Outpost hosts Prerelease events for every new Magic set, for players of all experience levels. New to Magic? We'll help you get started. Pick up singles, sealed product and supplies in our Magic: The Gathering collection, and check our events page for our current schedule. Free on-site parking.