In an unprecedented milestone for the trading card game industry, the highly anticipated Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy expansion has already claimed the title of best-selling expansion in Magic’s 30+ year history, before it’s even hit the shelves. Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks made the stunning announcement during an investor call on April 24, revealing that preorder sales alone have propelled the set past all previous records.
Breaking Records Through Preorders
What makes this achievement particularly remarkable is the timing—the Final Fantasy expansion won’t officially launch until June 13, 2025, more than 30 days after the record-breaking announcement. The previous title holder was 2023’s The Lord of the Rings expansion, another entry in Magic’s “Universes Beyond” series that brings beloved franchises into the MTG multiverse.
The unprecedented demand demonstrates the powerful synergy between two of gaming’s most iconic franchises. Magic: The Gathering, the world’s premier trading card game, and Final Fantasy, Square Enix’s legendary RPG series, have cultivated dedicated fan bases for decades. This collaboration represents the ultimate crossover for enthusiasts of both worlds.
What Players Can Expect
The ambitious expansion will adapt all 16 mainline Final Fantasy games into a single, carefully curated set. From the pixel-art charm of early titles to the cinematic grandeur of more recent entries, the entire Final Fantasy universe will be represented through Magic’s distinctive gameplay mechanics.
Players can look forward to encountering iconic characters like Cloud Strife and Sephiroth, summoning legendary creatures like Bahamut and Ifrit, and casting spells inspired by Final Fantasy’s signature magic systems. Perhaps most importantly for competitive players, the expansion will be legal in all MTG formats, ensuring these cards will see play at the highest levels of competition.
Release Schedule and Availability
The Final Fantasy expansion offers numerous products for collectors and players alike:
- Booster packs
- Pre-constructed Commander decks
- Collector boosters
- Secret Lair drops
Prerelease events will begin at local game stores starting June 6, giving players an early opportunity to experience the set before its official June 13 launch. The expansion will also be the focal point of the upcoming MagicCon in Las Vegas, featuring special panels, photo opportunities, and an exclusive promo card featuring Torgal from Final Fantasy XVI.
Industry Impact
Beyond breaking sales records, the Final Fantasy expansion is providing an unexpected benefit to parent company Hasbro. According to Cocks, Wizards of the Coast’s tabletop division—which produces Magic: The Gathering—is helping shield the company from recent tariff challenges. Unlike many other Hasbro products, Magic cards are primarily produced domestically in North Carolina and Texas, with additional manufacturing in Kyoto, Japan.
“The only thing in Wizards that we import from China is [Dungeons & Dragons] boxed sets,” Cocks explained during the investor call, highlighting how Magic’s domestic production insulates it from certain international trade complications.
The Future of Collectible Gaming
The unprecedented success of the Final Fantasy expansion suggests a bright future for high-profile collaborations in the collectible gaming space. As digital and physical gaming worlds continue to converge, crossovers that honor both properties while creating unique gaming experiences are likely to become increasingly common.
For Magic: The Gathering specifically, the success reaffirms the “Universes Beyond” strategy as a cornerstone of the brand’s continued growth. By carefully selecting partners that resonate with MTG’s existing player base while attracting new audiences, Wizards of the Coast has found a formula for sustained expansion in a competitive market.
Whether you’re a longtime Final Fantasy fan, a dedicated Magic player, or simply a collector of gaming memorabilia, the Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy expansion represents a historic moment in gaming culture—one that’s already making history before the first pack has even been opened.
Preorders are available now at select retailers and local game stores. Will you be joining the record-breaking rush for this historic collaboration?
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