2026 will be, without exaggeration, the most ambitious year in Magic: The Gathering history. Wizards of the Coast has confirmed a total of 7 expansions for this year, a scheduling anomaly that will not repeat in the near future.
Of these 7 expansions, 4 are Universes Beyond (collaborations with external franchises) and 3 are Universes Within (sets from Magic’s original universe). From the return to Lorwyn to a journey through Tolkien’s Middle-earth, from Marvel superheroes to the Enterprise, here is everything you need to know.
Complete 2026 Release Calendar
| # | Expansion | Type | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lorwyn Eclipsed | Universes Within | January 16, 2026 |
| 2 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Universes Beyond | February 27, 2026 |
| 3 | Strixhaven Secrets | Universes Within | April 24, 2026 |
| 4 | Marvel Super Heroes | Universes Beyond | June 26, 2026 |
| 5 | The Hobbit | Universes Beyond | August 14, 2026 |
| 6 | Reality Fracture | Universes Within | October 2, 2026 |
| 7 | Star Trek | Universes Beyond | November 20, 2026 |
1. Lorwyn Eclipsed – January 2026 ✅ Available Now
Type: Universes Within
Date: January 16, 2026
Status: Released
Magic opens the year by returning to one of the community’s most beloved planes: Lorwyn. Nearly 19 years have passed since the first visit, and fans have been asking for this return for a long time.
What does Lorwyn Eclipsed bring?
- Plane fusion: Lorwyn and its dark counterpart, Shadowmoor, combine into a single set. There is no longer a sharp division between light and darkness, but a fluid transition between states.
- Classic mechanics: Hybrid mana and the evoke mechanic return, both iconic from Lorwyn’s original era.
- Emblematic creatures: Elves, faeries, kithkin, and boggarts return with new designs.
- Draft Night Box: A new product designed for 4-player drafts debuts, with everything included (lands, tokens, and a bonus collector booster).
- Theme Decks: 60-card decks ready for Standard, with thematic strategies. The first two are Angels Deck and Pirates Deck.
Who is it for?
If you are a veteran player who missed the aesthetic and mechanics of Lorwyn, this set is for you. It is also an excellent entry point for new players thanks to the Theme Decks and Draft Night Box.
2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – March 2026 ✅ Available Now
Type: Universes Beyond
Date: February 27, 2026
Status: Released
Cowabunga, planeswalker! The Turtles invade the Multiverse in a collaboration that no one expected but many are enjoying.
What does TMNT bring?
- Up to 4 players: The set is designed for multiplayer games, something unusual in Magic.
- Unique cards: Thematic mechanics based on pizza, mutations, and martial arts.
- Iconic characters: Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo, Shredder, Splinter, and more.
- Controversy: The set has sparked debate over its pizza-themed cards, which some players consider out of place in the competitive meta.
Who is it for?
Fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles who want to experience Magic in a different way, and casual players who enjoy the playful side of the game.
3. Strixhaven Secrets – April 2026 🔜 Coming Soon
Type: Universes Within
Date: April 24, 2026
Status: Upcoming release
Back to class! Magic returns to Arcavios and the prestigious school of magic: Strixhaven.
What is known so far?
- Plane exploration: This set will go beyond the university campus to explore new facets of Arcavios.
- Associated novel: Strixhaven: Omens of Chaos, written by Seanan McGuire, will narrate new events on the plane.
- Narrative connection: Strixhaven’s plot extends toward Lorwyn and other planes, creating a cohesive arc for 2026.
- Theme Decks: Two additional themed decks are expected for this set.
Who is it for?
Players who enjoy Magic’s narrative and the lore of the Multiverse. Also for those who prefer original sets over external collaborations.
4. Marvel Super Heroes – June 2026 🔜 Coming Soon
Type: Universes Beyond
Date: June 26, 2026
Status: Upcoming release
After the success (and controversy) of Spider-Man in 2025, Marvel returns to Magic with a colossal set that will bring together Earth’s most powerful heroes and beyond.
What does Marvel Super Heroes bring?
- Confirmed heroes: Captain America, Iron Man, Black Panther, Fantastic Four, Scarlet Witch, Human Torch, Doctor Strange, Squirrel Girl, and more.
- Villains: Although not all have been revealed, a full representation of the Marvel universe is expected.
- Comic style: The set will be based on classic Marvel comics, not the MCU.
- Special treatments: New art styles and alternate versions of iconic cards.
Who is it for?
Marvel fans who want to see their favorite heroes in card form, and Magic players who enjoy high-quality Universes Beyond sets.
5. The Hobbit – August 2026 🔜 Coming Soon
Type: Universes Beyond
Date: August 14, 2026
Status: Upcoming release
Back to Middle-earth! After the resounding success of The Lord of the Rings in 2023, Magic returns to Tolkien with a set based on The Hobbit.
What does The Hobbit bring?
- Epic adventure: Join Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield, Gandalf, and company on their journey to the Lonely Mountain.
- Iconic creatures: Trolls, dwarves, elves, dragons (Smaug!), and more.
- Treasures: The set will include treasure mechanics, both new and familiar.
- Connection with LOTR: Synergy with the Lord of the Rings set is expected.
Who is it for?
Tolkien fans and players who enjoyed the LOTR set. Also for collectors looking for thematic Middle-earth cards.
6. Reality Fracture – October 2026 🔜 Coming Soon
Type: Universes Within
Date: October 2, 2026
Status: Upcoming release
The narrative climax of 2026. Reality Fracture is the set that will close the current Magic storyline, connecting with events from Tarkir: Dragonstorm and Outlaws of Thunder Junction.
What is known so far?
- Epic conclusion: This set represents the culmination of the current Multiverse story.
- Return of favorite characters: The return of planeswalkers and key characters is expected.
- Change in the Multiverse: The set promises to “change the Multiverse itself,” suggesting major narrative consequences.
- Connections: It links to the Strixhaven plot and other 2026 sets.
Who is it for?
Players who follow Magic’s narrative and want to witness the conclusion of the current story. Also for those who prefer original Multiverse sets.
7. Star Trek – November 2026 🔜 Coming Soon
Type: Universes Beyond
Date: November 20, 2026
Status: Upcoming release
The final set of the year and a celebration of the 60th anniversary of Star Trek. Magic embarks on a journey to the final frontier.
What does Star Trek bring?
- 60 years of history: The set will capture the essence of Star Trek from the original series to the recent films.
- Iconic ships: Spaceships are expected to play a central role, expanding the design of Edge of Eternities.
- Classic characters: Captain Kirk, Spock, Gowron (from The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine), and more.
- Exploration and discovery: The set will reflect the franchise’s central themes.
Who is it for?
Star Trek fans who want to see the franchise in card form, and Magic players who enjoy thematic Universes Beyond sets.
Universes Beyond vs Universes Within: The Great Divide
In 2026, the balance clearly tips toward Universes Beyond:
| Type | Quantity | Sets |
|---|---|---|
| Universes Beyond | 4 | TMNT, Marvel, The Hobbit, Star Trek |
| Universes Within | 3 | Lorwyn Eclipsed, Strixhaven, Reality Fracture |
This ratio has generated debate in the community. While some players celebrate collaborations as a way to attract new audiences, others prefer that Magic stay faithful to its original universe.
What is clear: Wizards of the Coast sees potential in Universes Beyond, especially after the success of Final Fantasy in 2025.
What the Community Says: Mark Rosewater’s Poll
Mark Rosewater (Magic’s head designer) ran a poll on his blog asking players which 2026 set they were most excited about. The results were clear:
| Set | Percentage | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Lorwyn Eclipsed | 50.1% | 🥇 DOMINANT |
| Reality Fracture | 15.4% | 🥈 |
| Strixhaven Secrets | 10.8% | 🥉 |
| Marvel Super Heroes | 9.4% | 4th |
| Star Trek | 5.6% | 5th |
| The Hobbit | 3.4% | 6th |
| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | 2% | 7th (last) |
What this tells us:
- Lorwyn Eclipsed dominates with more than 50% of the votes—a historic margin never seen before
- Players clearly prefer Magic’s original universe
- TMNT came in last despite having spoilers, probably due to “Universes Beyond fatigue” and its lighter tone compared to other franchises
- The community values nostalgia and narrative sets (Reality Fracture takes second place despite having barely any information)
This poll confirms what many players have expressed: there is fatigue with the amount of external collaborations, and Lorwyn Eclipsed represents the long-awaited return to original Magic that many missed.
New Products in 2026
In addition to the 7 expansions, Magic introduces two new product types:
Theme Decks
- 60-card decks ready for Standard
- Defined thematic strategies
- Available from Lorwyn Eclipsed
- Affordable prices for new players
Draft Night Box
- Complete kit for 4-player drafts
- Includes 12 Play Boosters, 90 lands, and 1 prize Collector Booster
- Approximate price: $90 USD
- Available with each 2026 set
Which is the Best 2026 Expansion?
It depends on what you are looking for:
| If you like… | Your ideal set |
|---|---|
| Lorwyn nostalgia | Lorwyn Eclipsed |
| Original Magic lore | Reality Fracture |
| Superheroes | Marvel Super Heroes |
| Tolkien and Middle-earth | The Hobbit |
| Science fiction | Star Trek |
| Magical college life | Strixhaven Secrets |
| Multiplayer chaos | TMNT |
Conclusion
2026 will be a historic year for Magic: The Gathering. With 7 expansions, 4 collaborations, and new products like Theme Decks and Draft Night Box, Wizards of the Coast is betting heavily on diversifying the play experience.
Whether you prefer Magic’s original universe or collaborations with franchises like Marvel and Star Trek, there is something for everyone. The only certainty is that you will not be bored.
Which of the 7 expansions excites you the most? Tell us in the comments. 👇