Pro Tour (Magic: The Gathering) - Tournament Structure

Tournament Structure

All Pro Tours are run using a modified Swiss system. Typical Pro Tours were held over three days with 7 rounds (for Limited PTs) or 8 rounds (for Constructed PTs) of Swiss the first day. Players with fewer than 4 victories (Limited) after round 6 or 5 victories after round 8 (Constructed) were eliminated. 8 more rounds of Swiss followed on the second day after which the eight best finishing players constitute what is called the Top 8. On the third and final day, the Top 8 players play single-elimination until the winner is determined. Starting with the 2009 season this system is modified to accompany the fact, that each PT utilizes constructed and limited formats.

Team Limited Pro Tours were run the first day using the Team Sealed format, the second day using the Team Rochester Draft format. The top 4 finishing teams advanced to the last day of competition, which was also run in the Team Rochester format.

World Championships used to be held over five days with six rounds of individual play on day one though three. The fourth day featured the national team competition. On the fifth day the Top 8 returned to determine the World Champion in three rounds of single elimination. Worlds were shortened to four days in 2007, though. In 2007 the Worlds featured five rounds of Standard and Legacy on day one and two, respectively. A Booster Draft of three round was also held on both days. The team competition was held on the third day and the Top 8 on the fourth and final day. Worlds 2008 will have the individual formats laid out over three days, while the team competition is added to day one and three. On the fourth and final day the team finals and the individual finals will be played.