Predicting Magic: The Gathering’s Universes Beyond Sets for 2026

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2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts, despite some secrets still held by Wizards of the Coast. Kicking off the year will be Lorwyn Eclipsed, followed closely by Strixhaven and another set referred to as “Ziplining”. In-between these sets, fans can anticipate collaborative Universes Beyond releases which will keep them engaged until the Metronome saga concludes, filling up the entire year with new content.

For 2026, only Lorwyn Eclipsed and Secrets of Strixhaven have detailed information available among the announced releases, aside from codenames, for Magic: The Gathering (MTG). Regarding Universes Beyond sets, no news has been released yet about future collaborations or crossovers. However, it’s clear that there will be more cross-overs and partnerships in MTG’s future, whether through Secret Lair or larger projects.

With gaps in the upcoming lineup of Magic, fans have ample opportunity to speculate and imagine their preferred crossover choices. Clues from recent trends within MTG and popular culture may offer hints about what lies ahead. It appears that Star Wars, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and additional Marvel superheroes could potentially be joining the game in 2026.

Magic: The Gathering Could Add the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Darth Vader, and More Marvel Characters to Its Line Up in 2026

Magic: The Gathering’s Edge of Eternities is a Great Set-Up for a Galaxy Far, Far Away

The widespread popularity of “Magic: The Gathering” as one of the top-tier card games allows it to collaborate with various pop culture brands and franchises. This is a topic that has sparked debate among many players, yet it’s challenging to dismiss the excitement that fans of “Lord of the Rings,” “Doctor Who,” and even “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” feel when they can assemble decks showcasing The One Ring’s Flaming Inscription, The Master’s Drumbeats, and The Bridge of Death, complemented by classic elements from “Magic: The Gathering.” Typically, most crossovers within “MTG” have stayed fairly close to the fantasy game theme, but Edge of Eternities might have broken that pattern.

Previous decks such as Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty have subtly blended science fiction and fantasy elements, but Edge of Eternities takes a bold step forward. This set features unique cards with futuristic designs, Spacecraft types, crew cards reminiscent of Star Trek, and the Station mechanic that hints at future sets further exploring this sci-fi theme. It appears as though this expansion would be an ideal introduction to Magic: The Gathering’s version of Star Wars, much like Lord of the Rings seamlessly integrated into the game.

After the Stars, Magic: The Gathering Might Head Below With the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

This year, Magic: The Gathering introduced SpongeBob SquarePants to its Secret Lair, and soon after that, Avatar: The Last Airbender will follow suit with a full set release on November 21. Both franchises are planning promotional products for their respective crossovers – SpongeBob’s is Titans of the Tide, while Avatar’s is its delayed Legend of Aang movie scheduled for 2026. Additionally, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem‘s sequel is in development, and Paramount appears to be taking advantage of all three properties by cross-promoting them across various platforms like Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. It would not be surprising if both WOTC and Paramount decided to collaborate on promotions for multiple reasons.

Astute Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts couldn’t help but notice an intriguing dual subtype in Jumpstart Foundations – Taeko, the Patient Avalanche, identified as a “Turtle Ninja.” Ever since her debut, fans have speculated if this unique card type might pave the way for additional connections. Given the popularity of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, it seems plausible that they would seamlessly fit into the MTG universe, stirring up a wave of nostalgia even among longtime players. The main query revolves around whether an entire set dedicated to TMNT is warranted, or if it might be more appropriate for a limited Secret Lair drop with perhaps one or two themed reprint sets as companions.

In a hypothetical scenario, an extensive collection of figures in the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” Universe could borrow elements from both the “Doctor Who” and “Spider-Man” lineups. This creative blend would allow for multiple interpretations of the turtles, their allies, and adversaries. However, this idea can become a reality only if Wizards of the Coast secures permission from Paramount to utilize it as a source of inspiration.

The Infinity Stones All But Confirm a Marvel Magic: The Gathering Set For 2026

In a similar vein as “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” the comic book character Spider-Man also has his own “Spider-Verse” spin-off, which draws inspiration from the movies and comics to highlight numerous Spider-People. This theme that anyone could potentially be Spider-Man is mirrored in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) through double-sided transforming cards, creatively representing the secret identity aspect. This demonstrates the extensive world-building and narrative depth of Spider-Man’s universe, as a whole Universes Beyond set can be dedicated to exploring its characters, with only one overall Marvel reference: The Soul Stone.

It appears that the Infinity Stones could be making their way into Magic: The Gathering, with the Soul Stone being introduced in the Spider-Man set potentially causing the most anticipation among players. There’s uncertainty about how the Stone’s inclusion will play out – whether it will lead to a series of sets culminating in one featuring Thanos and the Infinity Gauntlet, or if each set will contain one Stone individually. The prospect of six Marvel-themed sets has already caused some apprehension among players, but for now, the Soul Stone’s arrival only guarantees that at least one more Magic: The Gathering set is on its way. For fans of Avengers: Endgame, an Avengers set could signal the conclusion of this extended crossover between MTG and Marvel.

Based on the lack of official news from Wizards of the Coast, all the information presented here is speculative, given that Magic: The Gathering often delivers unexpected twists. If these rumors prove true, it would imply an entire year’s worth of Universes Beyond sets will focus on collaborations with two companies – Paramount and Disney. While franchises like Star Wars, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Marvel could offer unique experiences individually, some may experience brand fatigue. If this scenario unfolds, the Secret Lairs would likely be associated with different partnerships. For now, Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts should keep an eye on official channels for updates about the next Universes Beyond sets. Meanwhile, excitement surrounding the return to Lorwyn and Strixhaven remains high.

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2025-08-12 19:48