New York City’s Premiere Premodern Tournament Series is back!

  • Info & Registration

    When: July 19, 2025. Doors open at 10:30AM ET with a start time of 11:00AM ET

    Where: Orange Cap Games office space in SoHo, Manhattan

    Player Capacity: 50

    Entry Fee: $50

    Registration: Register Here

    Payment: Please send to Phil Nguyen via PayPal, instructions in the registration form.

    Cancellation: Full refund for cancellations made a week in advance of the event. Your slot can be transferable if within a week before the event.

    Spectators: Due to space constraints we kindly ask for no spectators

  • Tournament Structure

    Format: Premodern

    Rounds: 5 rounds with <33 players, 6 rounds with 33-50 players; Swiss pairings followed by Top 8. 50-minute timed rounds.

    Rules Enforcement: Competitive

    Card Legality: Reprints, World Championship/Gold-Bordered, and CE/IE cards are allowed. Proxies and playtest cards are not allowed at this event.

    Deck Lists & Photos: You must submit your deck list before the event begins. We highly suggest submitting online via a Google Form that will be sent out the week of the tournament. Deck photos can be submitted via the Google Form and are encouraged!

  • Prizing

    Prizing: $2,000 cash guaranteed, distributed as follows
    1st: $800, custom deck list card plaque, and Order of the Sacred Torch card
    2nd: $400
    3rd/4th: $200 each
    5th-8th: $100 each

    Participation Prizes: Commemorative stamped Ravenous Rats (Top 8’s will be altered) and exclusive Beast tokens

    Additional Prizing: Best Brew, Best Deck Photo

Register

Meet the Organizers

The Sacred Torch Showdown is made possible through the combined efforts of the entire New York City Premodern community. In particular, the team below (listed alphabetically) have taken lead roles:

  • Andy L. — Mono Blue Tide Control primer author, Lodestone Bauble lobbyist, and Top 8 finisher at the 2024 North American Premodern Championships

  • Roland C. — Community organizer, vendor, Japanese foil collector, and simultaneous Vintage and Legacy Champion

  • Dave K. — Community organizer, MTG coach, and Top 8 finisher at the 2024 North American Vintage Championships

  • Dave L. — Gathering enthusiast

  • Lanny H. — Co-host of the Spike Colony podcast, winner of the Premodern Showdown Series (S5), and Top 4 finisher at the 2023 North American Premodern Championships

  • Phil N. — Brewer, Spice Paradise organizer, and writer of the BANDING email newsletter