Ghost Galaxy keeps having a blast managing and running Organized Play for our lively and unique community of passionate players. Last year, we launched a sold-out Store Championship event kit, facilitated a fantastic Vault Tour season, and concluded with an incredible series of World Championships at KeyForge Celebration. Each season, we remain both humbled and excited by the enthusiasm and dedication of our fans who consistently participate in these events.

We intend to keep fine-tuning our processes for this season, without introducing significant structural changes to our offerings. Last season was more timely, easier to plan around, and overall met our expectations. However, we have pinpointed several key areas for improvement, and we aim to ensure the 2026 season aligns closely with the vision and objectives outlined here.

If you’re new to the scene or need a refresher, KeyForge’s Organized Play is split into two main categories: Retail and Premier. Let’s dive into each category and explore what Ghost Galaxy has in store for 2026.

Retail Events are a blend of casual and competitive events that appeal to both newcomers and seasoned players, hosted at retail locations. They are for supporting retailers in gathering and maintaining local play groups. Here’s our Retail Events plan for 2026:

Local Play is a continuous or weekly play at your store. We are developing additional ways to enhance Local Play and provide more incentives for players to participate, although many details are still being finalized.

One aspect of our support that we intend to maintain for this is the New Player Discovery Kit, an event kit aimed at encouraging new players to experience KeyForge. A new edition for 2026 is on the way. Stay tuned for specific details and dates regarding this kit.

Prior to the release of each KeyForge main set, but after the delivery of our Gamefound rewards, patrons of local retailers will be able to enjoy a look at the latest KeyForge set in the form of pre-release events.

The next pre-release will be for KeyForge: Draconian Measures in mid-2026, and we hope to release KeyForge: Shattered Reality in late 2026. Exact dates are to be announced and may vary by retailer and region.

Premier Events are large exposition events intended for the most enthusiastic and ardent KeyForge fans, designed to drive continued engagement with casual side events and showcase the highest levels of KeyForge play with competitive tournaments. Ghost Galaxy will run most of these events, but we will partner with dedicated local organizers for a number of events (particularly in international regions). Here’s our Premier Events plan for 2026:

The prestigious Vault Tour series will return in 2026. Vault Tour stops are big social and competitive gatherings where KeyForge players come together to earn spots in the KeyForge World Championship or simply mingle with a regional cross-section of the KeyForge community in casual play.

Vault Tour 2026 will be held from April to September ’26, with the US events beginning in May 2026.

Additional details on the Vault Tour, including dates and ticketing for the U.S. stops (along with any information our international partners have finalized) will be forthcoming in February ’26.

National Championships are tournaments that allow specific nations to crown a National Champion in each competitive KeyForge format and send them to the KeyForge World Championship. Each National Championship will be run by a designated partner chosen by Ghost Galaxy.

National Championships events only occur in regions that are not supported by a Vault Tour event. This is because Vault Tour stops and Nationals generally are the same level of event. Last year, we simplified the Organized Play calendar while still allowing nations that are unable to commit to a Vault Tour stop to participate.

Sign-ups for international partners interested in hosting a National Championship will be up in March ’26. We hope to have a partial map of participating countries started June ’26. National Championships will run from August through October, 2026.

KeyForge will return to Gen Con 2026. Players can expect to continue to offer learn-to-play events for newcomers, as well as casual sealed play for established and returning players, so they can get in a few games at the Con.

Details will be forthcoming, dependent on when Gen Con has approved exhibitor events. Gen Con itself will be held July 30 to August 2, 2026.

World Championships are the pinnacle, capstone event for the KeyForge competitive season. Participation in a World Championship is contingent on a World Championship invitation, which may be earned in the following ways:

1. Winning a 2026 Vault Tour or National Championship.
2. Placing 2nd in a 2026 Vault Tour or National Championship.
3. Placing in the Top 8 of a Vault Tour or National Championship and receiving an invite that has “rolled down” because players who placed higher were already invited.
4. Placing 1st in the 2025 World Championships or one of the Open tournaments hosted at KeyForge Celebration 2025.
5. Placing 2nd in the 2025 World Championships or one of the Open tournaments hosted at KeyForge Celebration 2025.
6. Any alternative method Ghost Galaxy designates as “World Championship Qualifying,” including one-off events.
7. Placing high in the 2026 Last Chance Qualifier at KeyForge Celebration 2026, which will award remaining unclaimed spots (if any).

KeyForge’s 2026 World Championships will consist of three individual events, one for each competitive format: Sealed, Archon, and Alliance.

World Championships, Last Chance Qualifier, and KeyForge Open tournaments will take place at the Gamezenter venue in Roseville, Minnesota, on November 5-8, 2026. They will be part of our large, yearly celebratory event, KeyForge Celebration.

KeyForge Celebration is a vibrant mini-convention dedicated to all things KeyForge. Competitive players can chase their dreams through events such as the Last Chance Qualifier and the World Championships, while casual players can enjoy Open tournaments and a variety of side activities. Everyone is welcome—no invitations needed!

As mentioned above, KeyForge Celebration 2026 will be held November 5-8, 2026, in Roseville, Minnesota, at Gamezenter. Additional details should be available no later than April 2026.

Below you’ll find a quick at-a-glance summary of our anticipated Ghost Galaxy’s 2026 Organized Play plan. Exact details and dates are subject to change.

That’s it. That sums up all that is planned for KeyForge Organized Play in 2026. We are thrilled to keep organizing activities for this game and our amazing community. We hope you are just as eager to join us in the Crucible in 2026. There will be an abundance of activities and countless adventures to embark on. And who knows, maybe you could forge a legend or two and get some great loot along the way!

We’ll see you at the kick-off to KeyForge 2026 Organized Play, Store Championships!