Wizards of the Coast has announced changes to the popular Friday Night Magic organized play for its Magic: The Gathering CCG.  The changes include updates to both structure and promo card distribution policies, which will take effect beginning in January 2015.
 
The most significant change is open formatting for events.  Previously stores participating in Friday Night Magic were limited to running only events in Standard, Modern, Booster Draft, Sealed, Block Constructed, or Two-Headed Giant format.  Now stores may choose the format of events they wish to run, or keep the format unchanged.
 
The promo card distribution policy will also change to be more flexible.  Stores will now receive promo cards based solely on their store level, not tied to the number of events they host per week, and stores may distribute those cards to players in a manner of their own choosing.  Previously, stores received cards based on the number of Friday Night Magic events that were scheduled each week, and were required to use them as first and second place prizes for events, with the remaining two to be given to other participants.
 
"The goal of these changes is to offer stores more flexibility in giving players what they want every Friday night, and to give players a destination for all things Magic on a Friday night," said Director of Global Organized Play Helene Bergeot.
 
January Friday Night Magic events will be scheduled by stores in November, and the new optional formatting changes will be available on the WPN website when scheduling opens.