Former Magic: the Gathering World Champion Has Died

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It’s really sad news – Wizards of the Coast announced that Kai Budde, one of the best Magic: The Gathering players ever, has passed away. I’ve been playing Magic for a while now, and it’s amazing to think the game has been around since 1993! They’ve released over 200 sets with tons of cards, and it’s changed so much over the years. Remember when they introduced Planeswalkers and Battles? It’s not just about the cards though, Magic has always had a huge and passionate competitive scene, and Kai was a massive part of that.

As a Magic: the Gathering player, I’ve always been impressed by how huge the pro scene is – it’s definitely one of the biggest in all of trading card games. Wizards of the Coast is constantly holding tournaments all over the world, bringing together the best players to compete for the championship. The Pro Tours (now called Players Tours) are the biggest events on the calendar, and only the top players even get invited. Sadly, I just heard the news that one of the greatest Magic pros has passed away, which is really tough to hear.

Magic: the Gathering Pro Kai Budde Has Died

Wizards of the Coast announced the sad passing of Kai Budde, a former professional Magic: The Gathering player. The post highlighted Budde’s successful career, noting his impressive achievements in the trading card game. He won five Pro Tour tournaments individually, two Team Pro Tours, and the 1999 Magic: The Gathering World Championship in Tokyo. Budde, who was 46 years old, had been battling terminal cancer for over a year.

Kai Budde has left an incredible mark on the Magic: The Gathering community, a record that will be difficult to surpass. He holds the record for most Pro Tour wins with five, and has also earned more “Player of the Year” awards than anyone else. In 2007, he was inducted into the Magic: The Gathering Hall of Fame, a testament to his skill and dedication. Beyond his impressive achievements, Budde was also a significant influence on other professional players.

Kai Budde’s Passing Leaves An Irreplaceable Hole in the Magic Community

Wizards of the Coast’s announcement honoring Kai Budde included heartfelt messages from many top Magic players. Pro William Jensen described Budde as a dominant force and said the Magic community benefited from his presence. Former Worlds finalist Reid Duke praised Budde’s exceptional talent for understanding how to win. A memorial video celebrating Kai Budde’s impressive career was also posted on the official Play MTG channel.

Image via Wizards of the Coast

Wizards of the Coast has repeatedly honored Kai Budde’s significant contributions to competitive Magic: The Gathering. In 2024, the Player of the Year award was renamed the Kai Budde Player of the Year following his announcement regarding his health. He also designed a Magic: The Gathering card, Voidmage Prodigy, after winning the 2001 Magic Invitational; it was first printed in the 2002 Onslaught expansion. Kai Budde’s impact on the game is undeniable, solidifying his place as one of the greatest Magic: The Gathering players of all time.

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2026-02-02 02:04