At MagicCon: Las Vegas, Wizards of the Coast, a division of Hasbro, thrilled Magic: The Gathering fans by unveiling a packed slate of upcoming releases and collaborations. In an event brimming with announcements, fans were given an exclusive first look at new artwork and story details for the highly anticipated FINAL FANTASY set, which will join the Magic: The Gathering Universes Beyond lineup in June 2025. This collaboration with Square Enix marks a significant milestone, bringing FINAL FANTASY’s rich worlds, characters, and lore into the Magic universe.
Launching on June 13, 2025, the FINAL FANTASY set will feature characters, creatures, and storylines from every main entry in the FINAL FANTASY series, from the original game to the recently released FINAL FANTASY XVI. Magic players will have access to iconic FINAL FANTASY elements like Chocobos, Cloud Strife, Terra Branford, Lightning, and Noctis as playable cards for the first time. Not only will this be available for physical gameplay, but it will also debut in Magic: The Gathering Arena, expanding accessibility for digital players. Square Enix’s Shoichi Ichikawa expressed excitement for the partnership, noting it would unite FINAL FANTASY’s immersive storytelling with the strategic depth of Magic, creating a memorable experience for fans of both franchises. Additionally, this set will feature the most extensive collection of FINAL FANTASY artwork assembled in a single game, combining contributions from both Magic artists and renowned FINAL FANTASY illustrators.
Zakeel Gordon, Product Architect at Wizards of the Coast, emphasized that the collaboration is about more than just cards: “It’s about celebrating decades of iconic characters, legendary stories, and unforgettable moments.” The set promises to immerse fans in the FINAL FANTASY universe while leveraging Magic: The Gathering’s gameplay mechanics to give players a fresh perspective on these beloved characters.
Beyond FINAL FANTASY, MagicCon attendees were treated to insights about additional upcoming releases in 2025, marking a significant year for Magic: The Gathering. These new sets will add to the game’s diversity of themes and mechanics, building on Magic’s rich history of storytelling and world-building. Here’s what’s coming next:
- Innistrad Remastered (January 24, 2025): Magic’s beloved gothic horror setting is being revitalized in a curated, draftable set that compiles some of the best elements of the Innistrad world. This release highlights the plane’s unique combination of dark themes and supernatural gameplay.
- Aetherdrift (February 14, 2025): Magic introduces high-speed, high-stakes racing across different planes in a thrilling “death race” format. Players can select from ten two-color teams, representing factions from goblins to insects, and compete in a frantic race for the Aetherspark trophy. (Shown Above)
- Tarkir: Dragonstorm (April 4, 2025): In a return to the fan-favorite world of Tarkir, players will witness the re-emergence of dragons, a vital theme of the plane. Factionalized gameplay and dragon-filled clashes mark this set, with the legendary characters Sarkhan and Ugin making impactful returns.
- Edge of Eternities (August 1, 2025): This set takes players to “The Edge,” a boundary realm bordering the Blind Eternities. Players will explore solar systems filled with mana stars, drifting worlds, and space-faring ships in a science-fantasy setting. The set follows a team of salvagers as they navigate the galaxy of Sothera, centered around a collapsing star.
- Universes Beyond: Marvel’s Spider-Man (2025): Magic’s Universes Beyond series will debut a multi-year collaboration with Marvel, beginning with Spider-Man. This set introduces Spider-Man characters and themes into Magic’s gameplay, enriching the universe with one of Marvel’s most iconic superheroes.
- Secret Lair x SpongeBob SquarePants (2025): In a lighthearted twist, Wizards confirmed a Secret Lair crossover with SpongeBob SquarePants, bringing fan-favorite characters from Bikini Bottom to Magic’s landscape.
The year will also see many MagicCon events across major U.S. cities, featuring Pro Tour tournaments at each stop. MagicCon: Chicago will occur in February, followed by events in Las Vegas in June and Atlanta in September. These gatherings promise to unite fans with gameplay, exclusive content, and a chance to engage with developers and creators. Notably, Wizards announced that the first MagicCon of 2026 will be held in Europe, marking the start of an exciting expansion for Magic’s convention circuit.
For more than 30 years, Magic: The Gathering has been captivating players with intricate gameplay and imaginative storytelling. Wizards of the Coast continues to build on that legacy, developing experiences connecting fans globally through its traditional tabletop game and digital platforms. With collaborations like FINAL FANTASY and Spider-Man, the future of Magic promises to blend beloved pop culture franchises with the game’s strategic appeal, offering new experiences to a growing community of fans worldwide.