RENTON, Wash., Dec. 6 , 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today live on stage at the Game Awards, Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast announced a brand new esports program coming in 2019 for Magic: The Gathering, which boasts a $10 million prize pool across digital and tabletop Magic.

"Today is an extremely important day for Magic: The Gathering as we announce our commitment to esports and our Magic players by evolving our tournament structure to include a $10 Million prize pool." said Chris Cocks, President of Wizards of the Coast. "We are fully embracing esports and affirming Magic as a leader in the collectible card game category while providing lucrative opportunities for pros, players, sponsors, and esports partners."   

With over 35 Million Magic players to date in over 70 countries around the world, Magic's new esports structure is designed to appeal to a wide audience of card game players and offers an open platform to allow all Magic players the opportunity to compete.

The Magic Pro League (MPL) establishes a new level of professional play and features 32 of the top ranked Magic players from around the world. Players in the MPL are offered play and streaming contracts worth $75,000. Members of the MPL will play in weekly match-ups on Magic: The Gathering Arena® that will lead to newly introduced Mythic Championship events.

Mythic Championships are the new flagship competitions for Magic: The Gathering Arena esports and tabletop Magic competitive play. Mythic Championships will feature MPL players battling against challengers from the Magic community. The Magic: The Gathering Arena esports program kicks off with a $1 Million Mythic Invitational at PAX East 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. More details on how to climb the ranks and battle the pros will be revealed in early 2019.

"The past 25 years of Magic competition has led us to design this comprehensive esports program that would support Magic: The Gathering Arena, while increasing our investment in tabletop Magic," said Elaine Chase, Vice President of Esports at Wizards of the Coast. "Our investment in esports will catapult the game to new heights while providing support to the players by giving them the platform to build their brand and bring Magic to a broader audience." 

Asset Pack: https://media.wizards.com/2018/press/fL0b62Jin_obpk_L.zip

YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vlsm4BZtgIc

To learn more about the Magic esports program, please visit: http://mtgesports.com

To download Magic: The Gathering Arena and stay up-to-date on the game's recent developments, please visit: http://playmtgarena.com.

ABOUT HASBRO
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global play and entertainment company committed to Creating the World's Best Play Experiences. From toys and games to television, movies, digital gaming and consumer products, Hasbro offers a variety of ways for audiences to experience its iconic brands, including NERF®, MY LITTLE PONY®, TRANSFORMERS®, PLAY-DOH®, MONOPOLY®, BABY ALIVE® and MAGIC: THE GATHERING, as well as premier partner brands. Through its entertainment labels, Allspark Pictures and Allspark Animation, the Company is building its brands globally through great storytelling and content on all screens. Hasbro is committed to making the world a better place for children and their families through corporate social responsibility and philanthropy. Hasbro ranked No. 5 on the 2018 100 Best Corporate Citizens list by CR Magazine and has been named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere Institute for the past seven years. Learn more at www.hasbro.com

ABOUT WIZARDS OF THE COAST 
Wizards of the Coast brings people together through their shared love of games. Magic: The Gathering®, Dungeons & Dragons®, and other Wizards games are enjoyed by friends around the world, both at gaming tables and on digital platforms. We bring together world-class creators in game design, worldbuilding, fantasy art, and interactive events to create unforgettable moments. Wizards of the Coast is a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS). For more information, visit www.wizards.com.

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PRESS CONTACT
Jamie King
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Jamie.King@Wizards.com

BUSINESS CONTACT
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SOURCE Wizards of the Coast

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