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Are you new to the world of Yu-Gi-Oh!? If so, you’ve come to the right place!
Yu-Gi-Oh! is an exciting universe based on a card game played with Monsters, Spells, and Traps. The Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise includes manga series, television series, several video games, the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, and more! This short guide will help you familiarize yourself with some of what Yu-Gi-Oh! has to offer.
New to the Yu-Gi-Oh! Franchise and Animated Series
A true global phenomenon and perennial fan favorite, the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime has amassed a fervent following. Even after 20 years, the brand continues to flourish with each new series and expansion, as fans engage by reading the Manga, watching more than 900 Yu-Gi-Oh! anime episodes, and downloading over 100 million times the Yu-Gi-Oh! DUEL LINKS mobile game. Fans have also supported the brand at the box office and by playing with and purchasing a record-breaking 25+ billion units of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME! With a robust slate of new content, games and merchandise planned for release in 2022 and beyond, the future is bright for this anime franchise continuing to engage and entertain audiences globally.
The Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, which has aired in more than 90 countries, has shown itself to have a broad cross-cultural appeal. As one of the most successful franchises of all time Yu-Gi-Oh! has spawned 7 television series and a trio of movies and still ranks among the most popular animated programming in the world along with the collectible trading card game based on the series.
The first 6 animated Yu-Gi-Oh! series, features characters playing a strategic card game called Duel Monsters. This strategic card game allows characters from the animated series to face off against one another. The stakes of each game are sometimes high, as characters compete to protect their friends, help their loved ones, and in some instances, determine the fate of the world! The Duel Monsters card game featured on the Yu-Gi-Oh! television show comes to real life in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME available to purchase at local stores and kiosks worldwide.
Each of the 7 animated Yu-Gi-Oh! series takes place in a separate timeline and features a different cast of characters. Check out the brief summaries below for more information about each of the series!
The Original Yu-Gi-Oh! Series
Meet Yugi and his best buds Joey, Tristan and Téa. They share a love for the newest game that’s sweeping the nation: Duel Monsters! Duel Monsters is a card-battling game in which players put different mystical creatures against one another in creative and strategic Duels! Packed with awesome monsters and mighty spell cards, Yugi and his friends are totally obsessed with the game.
But there’s more to this card game than meets the eye!
Legend has it five thousand years ago, ancient Egyptian Pharaohs used to play a magical game very similar to Duel Monsters. This ancient game involved magical ceremonies, which were used to foresee the future and ultimately decide one’s destiny. They called it the Shadow Games. Since the game used so many magical spells and ferocious creatures, it wasn’t long before the game got out of hand and threatened to destroy the world. Fortunately, a brave Pharaoh stepped in and averted this cataclysm.
Now, in present times, the game has been revived in the form of playing cards.
Meanwhile, Yugi’s grandfather gives him an old Egyptian puzzle that no one can solve, but when Yugi finally pieces the puzzle together, his life is forever changed. The puzzle instills Yugi with an ancient spirit, and the two work together to form a stronger, more confident Duelist.
Soon after, the mysterious creator of the Duel Monsters card game, Maximillion Pegasus, kidnaps Yugi’s grandfather, and Yugi is drawn into a Duel Monsters competition that Pegasus arranged. Now Yugi must Duel his way through a tournament and defeat Pegasus in order to save his grandfather.
How will Yugi do it? Will the help of his friends, his belief in the heart of the cards and the mysterious power of his magical Millennium Puzzle be enough?
Giant monsters! Powerful magic! And ancient Egyptian legends!
Yu-Gi-Oh! is one action-packed adventure series that holds all the cards! It’s your move!
For more information about Yu-Gi-Oh! series, click here!
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
Set several years after the previous Yu-Gi-Oh! series, GX follows a new generation of Duelists at the prestigious Duel Academy—a highly competitive boarding school where pencils and books have been replaced by Duel Disks and Monster Cards! Still, it’s not just about making the grade for these up-and-coming students – it’s about becoming the next King of Games!
For more information about Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, click here!
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s
The future of Dueling is revving up! And with it begins a new legend – Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s!
Welcome to New Domino City! Once the playground to legendary Duelist Yugi Muto, this sprawling metropolis has since been transformed into a futuristic society where Dueling has kicked into overdrive. With recent technological advancements made by Kaiba Corp, Dueling has undergone a metamorphosis that has revolutionized the makeup and pace of the game! It’s now a heart-pounding, adrenaline-filled and fuel-injected competition where Duelists ride supercharged hyper cycles called Duel Runners and battle it out in hi-octane contests called “Turbo Duels.” The winners and losers aren’t just separated by skill and strength…but by SPEED!
However, for five special Duelists, it’s not just about winning or losing anymore – it’s about survival, for they are the chosen “Signers” who have been marked by destiny to uncover the secrets of the five dragons!
With new cards, new players and new adventures, you’d better start your engines and get set to Duel!
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s – don’t let the revolution pass you by!
For more information about Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s, click here!
Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL
When aspiring Duelist Yuma meets Astral, a mysterious visitor from another universe, it seems like destiny. Yuma needs Astral to teach him how to Duel, and Astral needs Yuma to help him regain his memories!
They would be Dueling’s greatest tag team…. except they don’t get along!
This Dueling duo better get their act together quickly because ZEXAL is a whole new Duel with greater challenges than ever before!
Fantastic new monsters!
Powerful new cards!
Augmented reality-powered Duel technology!
Together, it takes Dueling to the next level!
But don’t worry if you’ve never Dueled before: As Astral walks Yuma through the basics, new viewers can follow along and learn how to Duel. And for seasoned pros, there are plenty of never-before-seen strategies that they can use in real life!
Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL – New Rules, New Duels!
For more information about Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL, click here!
Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V
Swing into action with Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V!
Yuya Sakaki’s dream is to follow in his father’s footsteps and become the greatest “Duel-tainer” in history – and he just might pull it off when he suddenly discovers Pendulum Summoning, a never-before-seen technique that lets him Summon many monsters at once! But when countless rivals emerge to steal his spotlight, Yuya needs to gear up his game because Dueling has evolved into a non-stop world of action!
In the all-new Action Duels, monsters literally come to life with advancements in holographic technology! Duelists no longer stand by and let their monsters battle for them on the playing field – they now ride their monsters as they race through real locations to take down their opponents with their Action Cards! From exotic castles to dense jungles, Yuya and his friends better prepare for any possibility because there’s no telling where the next battle will be!
Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V: Where Dueling gets REAL!
For more information about Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V, click here!
Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS
Welcome to the world of Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS!
Where virtual reality, artificial intelligence and high-speed Dueling merge into a fighting extravaganza!
With advances in cutting-edge technology, Duelists worldwide plug into LINK VRAINS to compete in fast-paced competition. But this cyberspace is under attack by a team of nefarious hackers determined to destroy the virtual realm!
There’s only one hero who can save them – the mysterious and powerful Playmaker! But little does the world know that in real life, the dashing and daring Playmaker is actually a quiet, easy-going high school student named Yusaku Fujiki.
How can one teenager take on a legion of enemies? With the help of a trash-talking AI named… Ai!
Can this unlikely duo work together to thwart the destruction of the entire virtual world and the future of Dueling?
Only way to find out is to seize the wind with Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS!
Watch the entire Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS series subtitled on Crunchyroll here, English episodes available on Pluto TV!
Yu-Gi-Oh! SEVENS
More information coming soon!
New to the Yu-Gi-Oh! Manga Series
Find out where it all began with the original Yu-Gi-Oh! series by Kazuki Takahashi! Then advance to the sequels from Duelist to Millennium World all the way to Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V.
Story and Art by Kazuki Takahashi
Sitting by himself in the back of the class, 10th-grader Yugi always had his head in some game – until he solved the Millennium Puzzle, an Egyptian artifact containing a powerful spirit from the age of the pharaohs! Awakened after three thousand years, the King of Games possesses Yugi, recklessly challenging bullies and evildoers to the Shadow Games, where the stakes are high, and even the most ordinary bet may result in weirdness and danger beyond belief! Let the games…begin!
To read a free preview of Yu-Gi-Oh!, Vol. 1, go here!
Yu-Gi-Oh!: Duelist
Story and Art by Kazuki Takahashi
Duel Monsters is the world’s most popular collectible card game – but to Yugi, whose body contains the spirit of the world’s greatest gamer, it may be the most dangerous game he’s ever played! A mysterious videotape sends Yugi and his friends to Duelist Kingdom, the island home of super-rich American game designer Maximillion Pegasus. There, Yugi must compete with the world’s greatest Duel Monsters players for the honor of fighting the man who made the game! But this is no ordinary tournament…the fate of Yugi’s grandfather hangs in the balance. And even if he makes it to the final round, can Yugi possibly face the power of Pegasus’ Millennium Eye?
To read a free preview of Yu-Gi-Oh!: Duelist, Vol. 1, go here!
Yu-Gi-Oh!: Millennium World
Story and Art by Kazuki Takahashi
After hundreds of battles, Yugi has finally gathered all the Egyptian God Cards…the key to unlocking his memories of his past life as an Egyptian pharaoh. When Ryo Bakura gives him the Millennium Eye, Yugi opens the door to the “world of memory,” and his mind travels back in time to ancient Egypt, when the magic and monsters were real! Now Yugi and his friends must explore the world of Yugi’s forgotten past…and fight an enemy who has been waiting for them for 3,000 years!
To read a free preview of Yu-Gi-Oh!: Millennium World, Vol. 1, go here!
Yu-Gi-Oh! R
Original Concept by Kazuki Takahashi
Story and Art by Akira Ito
It’s been many Duels since Yugi defeated Maxmillion Pegasus, the super-rich designer of the collectible card game “Duel Monsters.” But Yako Tenma, Pegasus’ protégé, has never forgiven Yugi for his master’s horrible fate. To draw Yugi out, Yako kidnaps Anzu Mazaki and takes her to the heart of the KaibaCorp building, guarded by dozens of the world’s most dangerous gamers! But Yako’s true plan for Anzu is much worse than mere revenge…
To read a free preview of Yu-Gi-Oh!: R, Vol. 1, go here!
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
Original Concept by Kazuki Takahashi
Story and Art by Naoyuki Kageyama
Considered a slacker by his peers, Jaden battles teachers and students alike to make his mark in the Duel World. Can he bring his low-level dorm, Slifer Red, to the top of the Deck? Or will the champions in the Obelisk Blue dorm hang onto their winning hand?
To read a free preview of Yu-Gi-Oh!: GX, Vol. 1, go here!
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s
Story by Masahiro Hikokubo, Art by Masashi Sato
A high-speed Turbo Duel through the streets of Satellite brings Yusei Fudo and his friend Sect face-to-face with an urban legend incarnate! Will Yusei lose Sect to the Skeleton Knight? And what sinister plans does Jack Atlas, master of New Domino City, have in store for Yusei?
To read a free preview of Yu-Gi-Oh!: 5D’s, Vol. 1, go here!
Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL
Original Concept by Kazuki Takahashi
Story by Shin Yoshida, Art by Naohito Miyoshi
No one loves Dueling more than Yuma Tsukumo, but unfortunately for him, no one is worse at it! This isn’t going to stop Yuma from trying though. When Yuma calls on the memory of his parents during a Duel, a strange being called Astral appears, and the encounter is the start of Yuma’s amazing Dueling journey!
To read a free preview of Yu-Gi-Oh!: ZEXAL, Vol. 1, go here
Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V
Original concept by Kazuki Takahashi
Story by Shin Yoshida, Art by Naohito Miyoshi
Yuzu Hiiragi and her father run a Dueling school that’s seen better days. If only they had a star teacher to bring in new students! When a rogue Duelist known as Phantom appears in the city, Yuzu may have found a savior, but Phantom will have to deal with the Leo Corporation’s special forces before he can get into any community service!
To read a free preview of Yu-Gi-Oh!: ARC-V, Vol. 1, go here!
New to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG)
The Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) allows kids, teenagers, and adults of all ages to relive the exciting Duels that take place in the animated Yu-Gi-Oh! series. In the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, players use the cards they’ve collected to construct Decks consisting of 40 to 60 cards. Then, they use their Decks to face off against opponents in a game of strategy, luck, and skill. Click here to learn the rules of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG!
You can purchase Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG products at local hobby and comic stores, as well as mass market retail and specialty stores. Official Tournament Stores (OTS) are gaming stores that have partnered with KONAMI to bring you the best products, tournaments, and community experiences possible. They’re allowed to sell products 2 days before official release date and are given exclusive access to special products such as OTS Tournament Packs and Lost Art promotional cards, and tournaments, such as the OTS Championships, Yu-Gi-Oh! Day, and more!
New to Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Booster Packs
The most common way that players of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME get cards is from Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG booster packs. These booster packs contain a number of randomly assorted cards. There are a number of different card rarities found in different types of products—Common, Rare, Super Rare, Ultra Rare, Premium Gold Rare, Ultimate Rare, Secret Rare, Prismatic Secret Rare, Collector’s Rare, Starlight Rare, and Ghost Rare —which all feature a different look to the cards. Many of the rarer cards have foil and holographic treatments that make them look flashy and cool. Here are some of the key characteristics of the different rarities:
Common cards are the most basic rarity in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME and have no foil embellishment on them.
Rare cards have an embossed silver foil card name, with no foiling over the card artwork.
Super Rare cards have no foil on the name of the card, but a holographic finish on the card art.
Ultra Rare cards have a gold or colorful foil on the card name, as well as a holographic finish on the card art. The Pharaoh’s Rare version includes Egyptian Hieroglyphs over the card art foil.
Premium Gold Rare cards have a special gold foil across all borders, stars, and with a holographic finish on the art
Ultimate Rare cards have a gold foil on the card name, as well as embossed foil accents on the card art, card border, and other parts of the card.
Secret Rare cards have a rainbow-colored foil on the card name, and a sparkling holographic finish on the card art.
Prismatic Secret Rare cards have a rainbow-colored foil on the card name, and a unique vertical and horizontal foil finish.
Collector’s Rare feature embossing along the entire card, as well as rainbow, holographic designs over the artwork.
Starlight Rare cards feature a rainbow-colored foil on the card name, and a bright, rainbow-colored foiling across the art and all borders, and other parts of the card.
Ghost Rare cards have a rainbow-colored foil on the card name and a unique three-dimensional hologram that makes up the card art.
Booster packs come in many different configurations and varieties, so be sure to check out the information on each set to be sure the rarity you’re looking for is available!
Many Yu-Gi-Oh! cards have a numerical password on the bottom left corner of the card and a security foil on the bottom right corner of the card. The security foil on First Edition (or first printing) and Limited Edition cards is gold, while the security foil on Unlimited Edition cards (when products are reprinted) is silver. The security foil has images of the “Millennium Eye” as well as the text YU-GI-OH! on it.
New types of booster packs are released every few months, adding new and interesting card effects to the card pool of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. The constant updates to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG card pool assures that the game is constantly evolving and never gets dull for its players. Click here for more information about the different Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG booster packs!
New to Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Products
Booster packs aren’t the only way to get Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME products. There are also lots of other products that help Duelists get the cards they want. Below is a guide about the different types of Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG products that you can buy to supplement the cards you pull in booster packs.
Season Box Series
Legendary Duelist packs, Dragons of Legend series, and more are released over the course of different seasons, and Duelists can find these box sets with a select number of packs as well as an additional item to add to a Duelist’s collection as a bonus and are comprised of the greatest hits from the series. Ultra Rare cards are featured with stunning variant colors as well, to really allow Duelists to showcase their personal style. Legendary Duelists: Season 1 included character cards, and Legendary Duelists: Season 2 included 1 of 5 dice, including the very elusive special Kaiba Corp die!
With so much to unpack, the Seasonal Box Series has something for every Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG fan. For more information click here!
Starter Decks
Starter Decks contain everything you need to start playing the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Each Starter Deck with the same name contains the exact same cards, so you always know what you’re getting when you purchase a Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Starter Deck. Starter Decks generally contain cards that work well together but are nevertheless easy to use. That makes them perfect for young Duelists who are beginning to learn the rules of the game and starting to figure out basic strategies. In addition to a full Deck of at least 40 cards, each Starter Deck also includes a Beginner’s Guide and a paper Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Game Mat.
For more information about Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Starter Decks, click here!
Egyptian God Decks
The Egyptian God Decks are the latest addition to the sealed Deck series and are great for new and returning players to the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. Aimed at giving you the tools to wield the iconic monsters in a more cohesive way than ever before, the Egyptian God Decks contain the exact same cards every time, meaning you’ll always know what you’re getting. These are perfect for Duelists who are looking to take the next step on their journey. Each Egyptian God Deck contains 40 cards, a Dueling Guide and a paper Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Game Mat.
For more information about the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Egyptian God Decks, click here!
Structure Decks
Like Starter Decks, Structure Decks contain everything you need to start playing the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, and each Structure Deck with the same name contains the exact same cards. But unlike Starter Decks, Structure Decks are designed for more advanced Duelists. The cards in Structure Decks usually have more complicated effects than the cards you would find in a Starter Deck, and the synergies between the cards found in a Structure Deck are usually much more complex than the synergies among cards found in a Starter Deck.
Structure Decks give intermediate and expert Duelists a new way to experience the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. In addition to a full Deck of at least 40 cards, each Structure Deck also includes a double-sided Dueling Guide and Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Game Mat. Starting to customize a Structure Deck by swapping some cards with others is a great way to learn about Deck-building strategies!
For more information about Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Structure Decks, click here!
Collectible Tins
Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Collectible Tins include booster packs of recent Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME booster sets. Collectible Tins contain 3 Mega-Packs, merging the best cards within the sets released in the previous year into one ultimate pack to boost the power of Duelists’ Decks everywhere with the best cards of the year potentially even being printed in a different rarity! Because of this, the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Collectible Tins have been extremely popular among tournament players, as they have another chance to an all-new Deck with different rarities and cards than before!
Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Collectible Tins are most popular among intermediate and experienced players, as well as newer players seeking to become more competitive. Because of their slick packaging, Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Collectible Tins also make a great gift!
For more information about Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Collectible Tins, click here!
Legendary Duelists Series
Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Legendary Duelists packs contain a random assortment of cards inspired by characters from various animated series. These Legendary Duelist packs allow players to emulate their favorite characters by replicating those characters’ Decks and reliving those characters’ fiercest Duels. Legendary Duelists packs are designed for fans of the animated Yu-Gi-Oh! series, who want to collect and play with powered up decks similar to the television series.
For more information about Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Legendary Duelist packs, click here!
Accessories
Official Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG accessories help Duelists protect their cards in style with 9-pocket Duelist Portfolios, Card Sleeves, Game Mats, and Card Cases featuring their favorite characters and monsters. Duelists of all levels of experience understand the importance of keeping their cards organized and protected from damage, so official Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG accessories are popular among all players.
For more information about official Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG accessories, click here!
Other Products
Sometimes special Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG products are released that include an assortment of different cards. Each of these products are unique and designed to appeal to a wide range of Yu-Gi-Oh! fans and players. Special Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG products can include exclusive releases such as Duel Overload, Maximum Gold, Ghosts From the Past, and even collectible items like the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Masterpiece Series: Platinum Blue-Eyes White Dragon!
For more information about some of the other Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG products available for purchase, and to find one that interests you, click here!
New to Yu-Gi-Oh! Organized Play
When it’s time to Duel, you’ve got a lot of options! Whether you’re a veteran Duelist, a casual competitor, or a total newcomer to the Yu-Gi-Oh! brand, KONAMI’s Organized Play program has tournaments and events that are right for you. Join your local community, find new friends, and connect with Duel-fans from across the globe to play, trade, and share your passion for the Yu-Gi-Oh! brand.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Remote Duel
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Official Tournament Stores (OTS) offer Remote Duel, a new option available to OTS to hold sanctioned tournaments! With the disruption of regular in-store events that allowed OTS to hold tournaments and engage with their community, it’s become difficult for Duelists to regularly meet up for Duels. Not only can Duelists and OTS stay engaged and play Yu-Gi-Oh! while respecting social distancing and other health guidelines and staying safe during these challenging times, this will be an ongoing alternative format offered at participating OTS.
Using Discord, Duelists are able to connect and play in more tournaments than ever before while still engaging with each other and being able to show their skills in a friendly environment. It’s also a great way to Duel against players from the other side of the country from the comfort of your own home! Duel your way from your local OTS tournaments, through the Remote Duel Extravaganzas, and on to a Remote Duel YCS!
Remote Duel can be used for four (4) types of tournaments:
• Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG)
• Yu-Gi-Oh! DUEL LINKS (Duel Links)
• Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist
• Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution
Many of the Organized Play options listed below have been altered due to the pandemic so be sure to look at our website for details on the specific event!
To find out more about Remote Duel, click here!
Local Tournaments
Want to get started? There’s plenty of action right in your own neighborhood! You can find lots of local tournaments at KONAMI Official Tournament Stores (OTS), and with over 900 OTS locations in North America and over 300 locations in Latin America, it’s never hard to get your game on. Your local OTS offers all the newest Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG products you’re looking for, plus tournament space for scheduled events so you can flex your skills. It’s your one-stop shop for the stuff you want, and a great place to meet Duelists just like you.
Event schedules will vary from store to store, so be sure to contact them and find out when they’re offering Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG events. Every OTS location’s different: some stores focus more on a relaxed, casual environment, while others are more competitive. It’s a good idea to call the stores in your area, ask what their tournaments are like, and find one that’s a good fit for you. How many Duelists usually compete? What’s the general age range of the players? Are the Duelists generally experienced, or is it a mix of veterans and new players? If you’re not sure an OTS is right for you, don’t be afraid to drop in on a tournament night and give it a look!
To find Official Tournament Stores near you, check out our search tool.
Dragon Duels
Dragon Duel tournaments welcome younger Duelists to compete in Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG tournaments, separated by age from the rest of the Duelists! Judges and staff members at Dragon Duels are accustomed to working with younger players to foster a friendly environment, and children have the chance to Duel with kids around the same age instead of older competitors. Dragon Duel tournaments are usually offered at larger events like Regional Qualifiers and the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series.
Dragon Duels offer young Duelists a chance to Duel for exclusive prizes like Game Mats and t-shirts, along with invitations to participate in the annual Dragon Duel World Championship Qualifier. At Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series (YCS) events, separate Dragon Duel tournaments are offered on Saturday and Sunday, with the winner of each tournament facing off to crown the ultimate winner of the weekend. Click here for more information about YCS Dragon Duel Championships!
The Dragon Duel World Championship Qualifier is a special tournament that happens once a year! Young Duelists who earned an invitation through previous Dragon Duel events take their shot at a chance to become their region’s Dragon Duel Champion. The top finishers are awarded awesome prizes, and the winner earns a paid trip to the World Championship!
If you’re looking for Dragon Duel events in your area, please contact the Tournament Organizer for your nearest Regional Qualifier before you attend, or check here.
Premiere! Events
Whenever a new Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG core booster pack is released, OTS offer you the chance to open packs of the new set and Duel with the cards before the official launch! On the Saturday or Sunday before the full global release, OTS locations can host Premiere! Events. OTS will have the option of running this as an in-person tournament or as a Pre-release Event based on their local restrictions and comfort level. By purchasing 5 packs of the new set, you are entered into the event and while supplies last, will receive an exclusive Field Center Card. The format of the event will vary depending on the OTS so be sure to contact your local OTS ahead of time for more details. By participating in the event, you will also be entered for a chance to win exclusive prizes, like an Ultra Rare promo card or a game mat commemorating the release.
For more information on the next Premiere! Event and a list participating Official Tournament Stores in your area, visit our Premiere! Event Page. The weekend before the release of each new set, contact your OTS to find out when they’re running their Premiere! Event!
Yu-Gi-Oh! Day
Yu-Gi-Oh! Day is a chance for Duelists everywhere to celebrate their passion for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG at OTS locations! Yu-Gi-Oh! Day events are held simultaneously throughout the Americas, offering tournament competition with special prizes for the Top 8 finishers, plus an extra prize for the final winner. Even just attending a Yu-Gi-Oh! Day event will get you a shot at an exclusive participation prize!
Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series
Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series (YCS) weekends are showcase events run by KONAMI, in cities all around the world! Duelists gather from far and wide to meet, trade, and compete. There are dozens of Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG tournaments on offer all weekend long, and these events draw hundreds, often thousands of Duelists, spectators, and Yu-Gi-Oh! enthusiasts. In fact, the World Record for the largest card game tournament ever held was a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series: over 4,000 Duelists played! These events are open to all Duelists, there’s no restriction to who can attend so if there’s one in your area make sure to check out the action!
The crown jewel of the weekend is the YCS Main Event, a 2-day long competition that challenges Duelists to bring their best and compete for glory, respect, and incredible prizes. The main YCS tournament begins on Saturday and concludes with a Top Cut and elimination rounds on Sunday. The Main Event awards prizes like high-end game systems, exclusive Game Mats, and more. Top finishers even earn Championship Prize Cards – unique promo cards that can only be won in prestigious tournament competition.
But the Main Event is just the beginning! Attendees can also Duel in countless Public Events running all weekend long. Win-A-Mat Tournaments are 8-player single elimination events, and each one awards a special game mat to the winner, exclusive to Win-A-Mat events. ATTACK OF THE GIANT CARD!! is a tournament format with unique prizing: ultra-limited, giant-sized versions of some of the newest, most popular cards in the game! The 3v3 Team Tournament lets you and two of your friends unite to compete side-by-side against other teams, for a chance to win beautifully presented uncut Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG cards. Some YCS Main Events use the 3vs3 Team format as well, so make sure to check the schedule. There’s also Speed Duel tournaments, using a different card pool, and a field layout similar to Yu-Gi-Oh! DUEL LINKS. These events can earn you incredible pins, patches, and Game Mats! Or if you don’t want to Duel with a Deck made from your own collection, you can compete with the latest pre-made Decks in Structure Deck Tournaments. And if you prefer to Duel digitally, you’ll even find tournaments for KONAMI’s Yu-Gi-Oh! DUEL LINKS, the mobile and PC game!
Whether you’re a globe-trotting career competitor or a casual Yu-Gi-Oh! fan, there’s something for everyone at the YCS, no matter your age, interest, or skill level! And parents will love the Parents’ Lounge, where chaperones can relax and take a breather while their children enjoy Dueling. Check here to find out if a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series event is coming to a city near you!
KONAMI is proud to provide live coverage for YCS events. If you’d like to take a look at some of our past YCS tournaments, check out our official YouTube channel here!
Yu-Gi-Oh! Extravaganzas
Yu-Gi-Oh! Extravaganzas are marquee events normally held in conjunction with another gathering or convention, like Anime Expo. They offer all of the Public Events you’d find at a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series weekend, like ATTACK OF THE GIANT CARD!! and Win-A-Mat Tournaments, with no 2-day main tournament. Yu-Gi-Oh! Extravaganzas are more laid back and relaxed: even the most casual Duel-fans can have a great time, or if you don’t know how to play, there will be helpful judges to teach you how to play. Most individual tournaments are short, and many are limited to just 8 Duelists. By choosing the events that best fit your schedule, you can decide how long you want to play: drop in for a quick tournament or two, or get on the grind and Duel for prizes non-stop!
Check the schedule here to see if a Yu-Gi-Oh! Extravaganza is coming to a city near you!
Official Tournament Store Championship
Official Tournament Store Championship, also known as “OTS Championship,” are high-level tournaments hosted by specially selected stores. Players compete with local rivals and Duelists from neighboring cities to win a special OTS Championship Game Mat, as well as invitations to the annual World Championship Qualifier in their region.
Learn more about OTS Championships right here!
Regional Qualifiers
Regional Qualifiers are bigger than a local tournament, and the level of competition is higher. Duelists compete in a 1-day tournament with exclusive prizes like Game Mats and Card Cases, and the top finishers earn invitations to their World Championship Qualifier. Some Regionals also host Dragon Duel tournaments, which are age-restricted tournaments where young Duelists compete against players in their age bracket to win Dragon Duel-only prizes and an invitation to their Dragon Duel World Championship Qualifier.
Many of the Duelists in your area attend Regional Qualifiers, a proving ground for serious competitors. Entrants are expected to be familiar with the rules of the game and Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament Policies, in order to fully enjoy the competition.
To find Regional Qualifiers and Dragon Duel Regional Qualifiers, click here.
World Championship Qualifiers/Dragon Duel World Championship Qualifiers
Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship Qualifiers (WCQ) and Dragon Duel WCQ are invite-only tournaments, where top Duelists compete for the chance to represent their country at the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship. For competitive Duelists, the WCQs represent the grand finale of an entire year of competition.
To compete in a WCQ or Dragon Duel WCQ, a Duelist must first earn an invitation at a Regional Qualifier, Dragon Duel, Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series, OTS Championship, or another qualifying event. When the competition’s over, the top-ranked finishers earn an opportunity most Duelists only dream of: a paid trip to the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship!
(Above) Over 2,400 players competed at the 2017 North American
World Championship Qualifiers in Chicago, Illinois!
The main tournaments of each World Championship Qualifier are invite-only, but the WCQ weekend welcomes all Yu-Gi-Oh! fans to spectate, meet up with other Duelists, and compete in Public Event tournaments. With celebrity attendees and frequent appearances from voice actors from the Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series, you never know who you might get to see! The World Championship Qualifiers are more than competitive tournaments: they’re a celebration of everything the Yu-Gi-Oh! brand has to offer, like a giant party for Duel-fans.
Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) & Yu-Gi-Oh! DUEL LINKS (Duel Links), World Championship
The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship brings together the top finishers from World Championship Qualifier (WCQ) tournaments all across the globe. Dueling’s absolute best gather with one singular goal in mind: to determine the year’s greatest Duelist, the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Champion! DUEL LINKS Duelists will compete in-game to earn their opportunity to compete at the World Championship. This event has been held in remarkable venues around the world, in cities like New York City, New York, Anaheim, California, Tokyo, Japan, and Berlin, Germany.
(Above) Crowning the new 2018
Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Champion!
Only a handful of decorated Duelists will compete for the year’s ultimate accolade, but Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, and DUEL LINKS World Championships may also offer lots of exciting activities for general attendees.
Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Tournament Policy
Tournament Policy documents define what is expected of Duelists and tournament officials at a Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG tournament. These documents explain how events will run, as well as what you can and cannot do while you’re there. All Duelists and tournament officials are responsible for knowing this information prior to participating in a tournament, so it’s important to read over these documents before you head to an event. Printing a copy to use as your portable reference is a good idea and can help you get the most out of your tournament experience.
There are currently three Tournament Policy documents, each of which covers a different area of tournament play. New documents or updates to previous documents will sometimes be added, so it is important to check for the latest versions before you head to an event. All of these documents are important! Not knowing about a rule does not excuse you from having to follow it, so do your part to make sure you are prepared.
The latest versions of any Tournament Policy document can be found here!
Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy Ver 2.1:
This document explains tournament requirements in detail; beginning with how you need to prepare before you head to the tournament and what you need to do (or not do) while you are there. This document will explain tournament formats, required tournament materials, card legality, and other topics you need to know in order to enter a tournament.
Official KDE-US Tournament Infractions and Penalties Policy Ver 2.1:
There are rules for a tournament, just like there are rules for the card game. This document provides a more in-depth explanation of the errors you need to avoid making while at a tournament; along with the penalties that can occur if any of these errors are made.
There are a few policies and rules that are handled differently for a Speed Duel event. This is a brief document that explains everything that applies to Speed Duel only. All other Tournament Policy not covered in this Addendum can be found in the Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy and the Official KDE-US Tournament Infractions and Penalties Policy documents.
There are a few policies and rules that are handled differently for a Speed Duel event. This is a brief document that explains everything that applies to Speed Duel only. All other Tournament Policy not covered in this Addendum can be found in the Official KDE-US Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME Tournament Policy and the Official KDE-US Tournament Infractions and Penalties Policy documents.
Remote Duel Best Practice Guide:
These Best Practices are designed to adapt Dueling for a Remote environment. By following the instructions in this document, both you and your opponent can enjoy fair and friendly competition with a standardized set of rules. This document covers additional rules and policies, and includes additional cards that are forbidden from use due to the cards being unable to successfully resolve.
Other Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Tournament Documents
Certain Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG tournaments require Duelists to fill out a Registration Form and sometimes a Deck List in order to participate. It’s important to fill these out correctly and carefully! Mistakes made on these forms can result in penalties, or even prevent you from playing in the tournament. These forms can be found here.
Registration Forms
Registration Forms are used for most larger events, such as WCQ Regional Qualifiers, YCS Tournaments and the World Championship Qualifier. You may also see them used at smaller tournaments. On the Registration form you’ll find spaces to write:
Your first, middle, and last name
Your CARD GAME ID
Your date of birth (not the date of the tournament!)
The event nam
Your country of residence
Your email address (you can indicate whether or not you wish to receive emails from KONAMI)
Make sure you fill out Registration Form completely, legibly, and accurately, so tournament officials can enter you into the desired event. If you aren’t sure how to fill out the form, talk to a tournament official. Duelists below the age of majority in their state may not sign their own Registration Form. They will need a parent or guardian to complete this paperwork.
You can download a PDF of the registration form from our website.
Deck Lists
The Deck list form is also important. All Tier 2 and 3 events require a Deck list in order to enter.
On the Deck List form, you’ll find space to write:
Your full name
The event date
Your CARD GAME ID
The event name (check with a tournament official if you aren’t sure what to write)
The initial of your last name (to help file your Deck list)
The total number of cards in your Deck (to help with Deck checks)
You will also need to write out the name of each card in your Deck, in the appropriate column (Monster, Spell, Trap) along with how many of each card you are playing. Talk to a judge or other tournament official if you have questions about how to fill out your Deck list. It’s important to be as accurate, neat and legible as possible when filling out a Deck List, as this information is used to maintain correct information about your Deck. For information on the best way to create your Deck List, check out this article.
You can download a PDF of the Deck List form from our website.
New to Yu-Gi-Oh! Video Games
Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist
Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist allows Duelists to dive into the story of the Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series, and engage in all new Duels with powerful cards found in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) like never before!
Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist uses the original Pendulum Zone layout, with separate zones for Pendulum Monsters, and gives players additional power!
During the campaign mode, Duelists can relive the most iconic moments from each Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series and unlock the key cards and Decks of the characters from each series.
Featuring thousands of cards, Duelists can create unique Decks in the Deck Editor utilizing cards unlocked in the campaign mode, or through packs that can be purchased using Duel Points!
Downloadable content available through download allows Duelists to dive into even more Duels and unlock Cards not originally found in the standard campaign.
Battle Pack Draft is an alternative way to enjoy the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, where instead of using a constructed Deck, Duelists instead build their Deck out of Battle Packs, and Duel against each other, or the A.I. for even more Dueling action.
Players can play Ranked Duels, Player Duels or Battle Pack matches against other players online*.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist is available on Xbox One, PSN, and Steam.
*Online Multiplayer may require a subscription.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution
Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution is an exciting way to experience the Yu-Gi-Oh! animated series and TRADING CARD GAME. With all new cards, characters, and storylines, Duelists can pick up on the fun from where Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist left off, and experience Link summons and Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS alongside a slew of new cards!
Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution uses the newest updates to the rules of Dueling which features the Extra Monster Zones on the field. Link Monsters can be Summoned to these zones or any zone a Link Monster points to. However, Synchro, Fusion, and Xyz Monsters can still be Summoned to the Main Monster Zones!
The campaign mode features all the biggest and best moments from the animated series, allowing Duelists to wield the Decks of their favorite characters, and save the day! If you want to be on the other side of Dueling history, you can play as their opponent, and take down Legendary Duelists too. After each Duel, key cards and recipes are unlocked, alongside Duel Points so you can build your own powerful Deck.
Using those Duel Points and cards unlocked in the campaign, create your own unique strategy and take your Deck to the top!
Battle Pack Draft is back and better than ever. Featuring 2 additional Battle Pack options, this alternate format of gameplay tests your ability to think on the fly, building a Deck out of the contents of the packs you’re given, and then you can Duel the A.I. or your friends and see who’s the best!
Local Multiplayer is available on the Nintendo Switch and Online Multiplayer is available on all platforms. Players can play Ranked Duels, Player Duels or Battle Pack matches against other players online**.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution is now available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PSN, and PC through Steam.
**Online Multiplayer may require a subscription.
