Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series FAQ’s

UPDATED: 4/30/2024

COVID-19 Information

Are there any COVID-19 restrictions for the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series?

YCS Information

How do I enter the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series?
Are there any pack prizes apart from the five packs that everyone gets?
What is the format for the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series?
How many Rounds will the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series have?
How many Duelists will advance to Day 2?
How many Duelists will advance to the Top Cut?
How do I register for a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series tournament?
How do I obtain the Pre-Registration Yu-Gi-Oh! Coin?
If I registered and can no longer attend, can I get a refund?
Can I transfer my registration to someone else?
If I wasn’t able to register online, can I still attend for Public Events or to spectate?
Will I need to check-in if I registered online?
What will I need to bring to a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series tournament?
If I’ve never been to a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series tournament, what should I expect?
Does KDE-US and/or its agents film or take photography at these events?
I will be bringing my children to the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series. Is there anything I should know?
Will the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series have Yu-Gi-Oh! Very Important Players (VIPs) and how do I qualify to be one?
Will the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series have the Bounty Feature?
Will there be meal breaks during the tournament?
What if someone who came with me does not know how to play?
What happens if I am not done with my Match when time is called in the round?

Invitations and Prizes

Do I need an invitation to participate in the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series?
If I am not from the United States or Canada and I win the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series, do I get to play in the next North American World Championship Qualifier?
If I qualify in a Dragon Duel Constructed Deck tournament (for Duelists born in 2010 or later) at the YCS, will I get an invite for the World Championship Qualifier?
What are the prizes for the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series?
What is the Top Cut Game Mat and Prize Card?
How and when will I receive my Invite?
Is travel or hotel included with my Invite?
Is the travel and accommodation just for the winner?

World Qualifying Points

If I make the Top Cut will I earn World Qualifying Points at the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series?
How do I find more information about World Qualifying Points?

Card Legality

What cards are legal for play?
Can I use OCG cards (cards printed for use in Japan and other Asian territories) in my Deck?
Can I use foreign language cards in my Deck?

Public Events

What are the different types of Public Events?
What are the point values for the Public Events?
What is a Swiss Round Tournament?
What is a Single-Elimination Tournament?
What is a Dragon Duel?
What is the Format for the Dragon Duel Casual Sealed event?
What are the prizes for the Dragon Duel Casual Sealed event?
Does the Dragon Duel Casual Sealed event affect the Dragon Duel Championship?
What is the Advanced Format Constructed Dragon Duel?
What are the prizes for the Advanced Format Constructed Deck Dragon Duel?
What is the YCS Dragon Duel Championship?
What are the rules for the 3 vs. 3 Team Duel event?
What are the rules for Rivalry of Warlords Tournaments?
What are the rules for Speed Duel Constructed Tournaments?
Will there be a Speed Duel Limited List for Speed Duel Public Events at the YCS?
What are the rules for Structure Deck Tournaments?
What are the rules for Tag Duel Tournaments?
What are the rules for Time Wizard Tournaments?
What are the rules for the Ultimate Time Wizard Tournament?
What are the rules for the Yu-Gi-Oh! Charity Tournament?
What are the rules for DUEL LINKS Tournaments?
What are the rules for MASTER DUEL Tournaments?
What is the Public Events playoff?
What is the Prize Wall?

Miscellaneous

I may need assistance to participate at a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series due to a disability or recent injury, what should I do?
I want to judge at a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series, instead of competing as a Duelist – how can I apply?
Will there be vendors on site so I can buy single cards and supplies and sell my cards?
Can I buy and sell from other people at the event?
I want to vend at a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series, who should I contact?
What is a Fan Content Area?
Where can I get food and drinks during the tournament?
When will the schedule for other Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series tournaments be posted?
Can I get a CARD GAME ID number at the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series tournament, or will I need to have one before I attend the event?
Will there be coverage of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series?
Are there any items I am not allowed to bring to the tournament?
What if I lost an item at the tournament?

COVID-19 Information

Q: Are there any COVID-19 restrictions for the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series?

A: Here are the current COVID-19 Restrictions for Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series:

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE-US) strongly encourages, but does not require, all attendees to be fully vaccinated and to wear a mask. However, KDE-US reserves the right to implement a mandatory mask and/or vaccine requirement for any event on short notice, if deemed necessary. If this event does require attendees to wear a mask, KDE-US will make all available efforts to notify all attendees. However, it is your responsibility to confirm you have read and understood the most current KDE-US COVID-19 policy prior to your arrival at the event, by checking this FAQ section, which may be updated from time to time.

Please note that all attendees must follow measures outlined in the KDE-US COVID-19 Addendum to help prevent the spread of illness. The COVID-19 addendum can be found at https://www.yugioh-card.com/en/downloads/penalty_guide/COVID19_Addendum_v_1.pdf.

Any attendee who has or develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status or other measures taken, should refrain from attending this event. If symptoms develop during this event, attendees should immediately notify event staff, withdraw from this event and leave the venue. If event staff observe symptoms consistent with COVID-19, they may direct impacted individuals to leave the venue. This can include the symptomatic individual and those who were in close proximity with such individual for extended periods of time.

By attending this event in person, all attendees understand and acknowledge that they risk exposure to and contraction of potentially dangerous diseases and viruses, including the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and any other diseases or viruses not listed, while traveling to, from, and during the event. By attending this event, all attendees agree to knowingly and freely assume all such risks and enter the venue at their own risk.

KDE-US makes no representations that it has taken any safety precautions that relate to infectious diseases or exposure, and even if KDE-US did proactively take preventative measures, KDE-US has made no representation that those measures will in any way reduce or prevent the risks associated with exposure. Attendees release KDE-US, its employees and representatives, and all persons involved WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL ILLNESS, DISABILITY, DEATH, or loss or damage to person or property, to the fullest extent permitted by law. BY ATTENDING IN THIS EVENT, ATTENDEES ARE DEEMED TO HAVE GIVEN A FULL RELEASE OF LIABILITY TO KDE-US TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

YCS Information

Q: How do I enter the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series?

A: Duelists in the United States or Canada will pay the cost of 5 booster packs in the local currency for the YCS, including any taxes or fees, to receive 5 Booster Packs of the most recent core booster release and registration in the event.

Q: Are there any pack prizes apart from the five packs that everyone gets?

A: 9th – 16^th place will receive 24 booster packs of the most recent core booster release. This is the only product prize, outside of the five (5) participation packs, that will be awarded.

Q: What is the format for the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series?

A: Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series tournaments are Constructed events, which means each Duelist must bring his or her own Deck to compete. Decks must be constructed per the latest Advanced Format guidelines. (See here for more information: http://www.yugioh-card.com/en/limited/index.html). The Forbidden & Limited list is updated periodically; refer to the “UPDATED” date on that page to ensure your Deck matches the current format.

Q: How many Rounds will the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series have?

A: The total number of Duelists will determine the number of Rounds that are played.

Number of Participants*	Number of Swiss Rounds	Swiss Rounds Day 1	Swiss Rounds Day 2	Playoff Top Cut
129 – 256 Duelists	8 Rounds	8 Rounds	None	Top 32
257 – 512 Duelists	9 Rounds	9 Rounds	None	Top 32
513 – 1024 Duelists	10 Rounds	8 Rounds	2 Rounds	Top 32
1025 – 2048 Duelists	11 Rounds	9 Rounds	2 Rounds	Top 32
2049 or more Duelists	12 Rounds	9 Rounds	3 Rounds	Top 64

Q: How many Duelists will advance to Day 2?

A: If there are 512 Duelists or fewer registered for the YCS, then the Top 32 will advance to Day 2.

If there are 513 – 1024 Duelists registered for the YCS, then the Top 128 Duelists OR all Duelists with a minimum of 16 Points, whichever number is larger, will advance to Day 2.

If there are 1025 – 2048 Duelists registered for the YCS, then the Top 128 Duelists OR all Duelists with a minimum of 19 Points, whichever number is larger, will advance to Day 2.

If there are 2049 or more Duelists registered for the YCS, then the Top 256 Duelists OR all Duelists with a minimum of 19 Points, whichever number is larger, will advance to Day 2.

Q: How many Duelists will advance to the Top Cut?

A: If there are 2048 or fewer Duelists, the tournament will cut to Top 32 after all rounds of Swiss are completed. If the Top Cut is 32 Duelists, prizes will be awarded down to 32^nd place.

If there are 2049 or more Duelists, the tournament will cut to Top 64 after all rounds of Swiss are completed. If the Top Cut is 64 Duelists, prizes will be awarded down to 64^th place.

Q: How do I register for a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series tournament?

The primary way to register for a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series tournament is through online registration. You can register online at https://yugiohregistration.com. You can find when registration opens on the Short FAQ for each event. If space is available at the end of online registration, you will also be able to register on the Friday of the event between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM at the convention center. There will not be any on-time registration on the Saturday of the event. If space allows, Duelists will be allowed to register late the Saturday of the event, but you will not be able to enter the tournament until the second round begins and you will start with a Round one Match loss.

To register online, you will need to create an account on the https://yugiohregistration.com website if you do not already have one. Once you have registered for an account, you can register for the event here:

https://yugiohregistration.com/Events/Events.aspx

You do not need to turn in a Deck List when you register, but you must turn in a Deck List on the registration website before 10:00 AM the Friday of the event. If you do not submit a Deck List on the registration website by the 10:00 AM deadline, you will be automatically dropped from the event. You can create your Deck List on the registration website here:

https://yugiohregistration.com/Decks/MyDeckLists.aspx

If on-site registration is possible, you will need to create an account on the registration website, https://yugiohregistration.com, and create your Deck List there. This can be completed on your phone or through computers available on site. If you need help completing your registration on site, event staff will be available to help.

For both online registration and in-person registration, a Deck List that has been submitted can no longer be changed.

Q: How do I obtain the Pre-Registration Yu-Gi-Oh! Coin?

A: All Duelists that register online and submit their Deck Lists through the online system by 10:00 AM Friday morning of the YCS weekend, will receive one random Pre-Registration Yu-Gi-Oh! Coin* when they check in on-site on the Friday of the YCS. Any Duelist that does not check in on Friday of the YCS will not be eligible for a Pre-Registration Yu-Gi-Oh! Coin.

Pre-Registration Yu-Gi-Oh! Coins

*Pre-registration prizes are available while supplies last.

Q: If I registered and can no longer attend, can I get a refund?

A: Yes. Any Duelist that does not attend a YCS will automatically be given a refund. These refunds happen within 5 business days of the end of the event. If you have not received your refund after that timeframe, please reach out to the contact information found on the Contact Us page of the registration website, https://yugiohregistration.com/Contact.aspx, to request a refund.

Any Duelist that does not attend a YCS and does not reach out to the registration website team beforehand will be blocked from registering online for future YCS events.

Q: Can I transfer my registration to someone else?

A: No. Registration for Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series events are non-transferable.

Q: If I wasn’t able to register online, can I still attend for Public Events or to spectate?

A: Space at each Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series event is limited. If you were not able to register online for the event, please do not purchase travel and hotel accommodations with the intent of participating in Public Events or to spectate. There is no guarantee space will become available once online registration sells out. All Public Events are run pending space available in the event hall.

Q: Will I need to check in if I registered online?

A: Yes, you will need to check in on the Friday of the event if you registered online. In order to check in, you will need to show a form of photo ID, such as a Driver’s License, State ID card, Passport, or school ID. When you check in, you will receive any entry items that come with your registration, such as Booster Packs. You must check in no later than 6:00 PM on Friday. If you are not able to check in by 6:00 PM on Friday, please reach out to the Tournament Organizer at the contact information found in the event FAQ to arrange for alternate check-in options. Otherwise, your registration will be automatically cancelled to allow for on-site registration, and your fee will be refunded within 7 days of the end of the event.

Q: What will I need to bring to a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series tournament?

A: You should bring a tournament-legal Deck as described under “What is the format for the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series?,” along with any tournament supplies you will need, such as paper and pen to track Life Points, dice or counters if you are using cards which require them, extra sleeves to replace any that become damaged, and so forth. If you have a CARD GAME ID number, you should bring your number. You should bring a form of personal identification with a picture. You’ll also need the registration fee for the tournament, as well as money for your incidentals (food, drinks, Public Events, etc.).

Q: If I’ve never been to a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series tournament, what should I expect?

A: Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series are among the biggest of all Yu-Gi-Oh! tournaments and attract Duelists of all ages and skill levels. Many Duelists travel great distances to attend the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series, so you can expect to meet hundreds of fellow Yu-Gi-Oh! fans from all over.

There are a lot of things you should do to make sure you are prepared before heading to the tournament.

Read over the list of things you will need for the tournament, and make sure you have everything. You’ll have a better time at the event if you don’t have too many bulky or heavy possessions to carry around, as it can get crowded there on the floor. Think ahead while you are planning what to bring with you.

When you get to the event, you will need to show proof of vaccination to enter the event. Once verified, you will be given a wristband, that will allow you to enter the tournament area more smoothly during the rest of the weekend. You should plan on arriving early enough on Friday to show proof of vaccination, get your wristband, and check-in for the event. Completing these steps will save you a lot of time the following morning.

Duelists are responsible for paying attention to information from judges and/or tournament staff in order to understand what is going on. If Duelists have questions about the event either beforehand or while they are there, they should check with the Event Manager.

Before heading to the event, all Duelists should read over the KDE-US Tournament Policy and Penalty Guidelines carefully. These documents tell you what you can and cannot do at an event and give you a good idea of what to expect. You may find these Guidelines by clicking the following links.

Tournament Policy:

https://www.yugioh-card.com/en/downloads/penalty_guide/YGOTCG_Policy_v_2_2.pdf

Penalty Guidelines:

https://www.yugioh-card.com/en/downloads/penalty_guide/Penalty_Guidelines_v_2_2.pdf

Remember, there is much more to do at a YCS than just compete in the main tournament. There are lots of Public Events, vendors buying and selling cards, and other Duelists to trade with. Read over the FAQ carefully, and you’ll be off to a great start. Public Events will be available as space opens up from the main event. If the YCS has reached capacity there is not a guarantee that any specific pubic event will be available as events will only start as space becomes available. If the venue reaches capacity, additional Duelists will not be allowed to enter the hall.

Q. Does KDE-US and/or its agents film or take photography at these events?

A. Yes by entering the premise of this event you agree to the following:

When you enter a Yu-Gi-Oh! event or program, you are entering an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to photography, audio recording, interviews, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for promotional purposes, webcasts, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by KONAMI, its affiliates and representatives. Images, photos and/or videos may be used to promote Yu-Gi-Oh! or KONAMI events in the future, to highlight the event and promote Yu-Gi-Oh! and KONAMI properties.

You release KONAMI, its employees, representatives and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of photographs, computer images, video and/or sound recordings. By entering the event premises, you waive any rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any use, exhibition, streaming, web casting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such use, exhibiting, broadcasting, web casting, or other publication, irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged.

You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by KONAMI, its agents or representatives. You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability and release before entering the event.

Q: I will be bringing my children to the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series. Is there anything I should know?

A: If your child was born in 2010 or later, there is a special tournament each day just for this age group, called a Dragon Duel. There will be both Advanced Constructed format tournaments for Dragon Duelists that already have a Deck and Speed Duel Sealed format tournaments for Dragon Duelists that don’t have a Deck just yet. You can find more information about Dragon Duels in the Public Events section of this FAQ.

We will have a Parents’ Area available, where parents can relax while their children are occupied in the tournament. This area is open only to parents and their children. You are not required to stay on site, but we strongly recommend that you do, especially if your children are young or this is their first event. Please know that the tournament staff cannot be responsible for looking after your children, or their possessions. Always make sure your child has a way to contact you, and is provided with any necessities such as food, drink, or extra money if you do not wish to remain in the tournament area.

When your child is preparing for the event, encourage him or her to leave any bulky or expensive possessions at home. Electronics and large collections of cards are hard to keep track of during a big tournament – your child will have a much easier day without having to worry about these kinds of items.

Trading cards is a big attraction at large tournament, but if you are concerned about your child trading away valuable cards, talk to him or her before the event and set some guidelines. You can always have your child check with you before making a trade.

Q: Will the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series have Yu-Gi-Oh! Very Important Players (VIPs) and how do I qualify to be one?

A: Yes! We will have VIPs at the YCS. To qualify as a Yu-Gi-Oh! VIP, a Duelist needs to attend and win one of several YCS VIP Qualifier tournaments hosted by OTS before each Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series. You can find information on those qualifiers here: https://www.yugioh-card.com/en/events/vip-qualifier/.

A Duelist who wins a YCS VIP Qualifier or a UDS Invitational Champion who brings their Championship Belt to the YCS earns the following benefits as a VIP:

FREE entry to the YCS and five (5) booster packs of the current booster release, Pre-Registration Yu-Gi-Oh! Coin* and any YCS-specific participation item if applicable.
VIP registration. Let a line control staff member know you are a VIP and you will be escorted to the front of the line.
Two-Round Bye at the YCS (VIPs start the tournament in Round 3 with a 2-0 record (2 Wins and 0 losses))

Assigned seating throughout the course of the YCS Main Event in a VIP Section

*In order to be eligible for any online registration items, VIP must register online. If an item requires a Deck List to be submitted at the time of registration in order for it to be awarded, the VIP must submit a valid Deck List while registering to be eligible.

Please note that all VIPs must still register on time and be present on site during the Duelist Meeting. Their names will not appear on the first and second round pairings.

Q: Will the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series have the Bounty Feature?

A: Yes! We will be including the Bounty Feature forthe Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series. At the start of the tournament, a certain number of Duelists will be selected and tagged with KONAMI lanyards. Each lanyard will bear a number, from 1 to 10. Each of these Bounty Duelists will begin the tournament with a stack of booster packs (4 packs per round) allotted to him or her. So, for a 10-round tournament, the total Bounty on each Duelist would be 40 booster packs.

At the start of each round, 4 packs will be removed from each Bounty Duelist’s total and placed in their Bounty Pile. If the Bounty Duelist wins, he or she receives 2 of the packs from the Bounty Pile, leaving the rest in the pile. If the Bounty Duelist loses, the opponent claims all the packs in the Bounty Pile. At the end of each round, both the Bounty Duelist and the opponent must come up to the main stage, so the winner can collect the packs.

The longer a Bounty Duelist goes undefeated, the more packs you can win if you beat him or her. If the Bounty Duelist goes undefeated, he or she will keep all the packs in his or her Bounty. Bounty Duelists are not eliminated by a loss. Once you’ve been tagged, you are a Bounty Duelist for as long as you are participating in the event (Swiss rounds only). The lanyard is yours to keep.

Bounty Duelists are chosen for a variety of reasons – including past performances at events, running an innovative or exciting Deck, or maybe for wearing an eye-catching hat. Only Duelists who have registered online for the tournament will be selected as a Bounty Duelist. If you are chosen, you don’t have to participate if you would rather not join in.

Q: Will there be meal breaks during the tournament?

A: If there is no food available for sale in the event hall, a 30-minute meal break will be scheduled into the tournament.

Q: What if someone who came with me does not know how to play?

A: If someone is attending the YCS that does not know how to play Yu-Gi-Oh! do not worry. We will have capable staff on site who will be more than happy to teach them how to play.

Q: What happens if I am not done with my Match when time is called in the round?

A: Sometimes a Match will not be finished when the time ends for a round. If this happens, it is both Duelists’ responsibility to note whose turn it is when time is called. Duelists who require assistance with the End of Match procedures should raise their hand and call for a judge. The judge should be notified that the Match is ongoing and whose turn it is. The judge may or may not stay to supervise the End of Match procedure but should ensure that both Duelists understand the following procedures.

End of Match procedures should follow these three (3) rules:

Rule #1: If time is called while Duelists are in the middle of a Game, the current Game must have a decision (Win, Loss, or Draw)

Rule #2: Once the current Game has concluded with a decision, determine the winner of the Match by determining the number of Game Wins (or Game Losses) each Duelist has for the current Match. The Duelist with the most Game Wins will win the Match.

Swiss Rounds: If both Duelists have the same number of Game Wins, or if time was called in between games of a Match when both Duelists had the same number of Game Wins, then the Match is a Draw.

Single-Elimination Rounds: If both Duelists have the same number of Game Wins, or if time is called in between Games of a Match while both Duelists have the same number of Game Wins, they will begin a new Duel with specific guidelines.

Neither Duelist may use his or her Side Deck. If time was called in between Games of a Match and at least one Duelist has already accessed his or her Side Deck, then both Duelists may use their Side Deck.
- Duelists must use a random method (die roll, coin flip, etc.) to determine who will go first.
- The Duel will continue for a total of four (4) turns, two (2) turns for each Duelist, unless a Duelist manages to win the Duel before the four (4) turns have concluded.

Once the four (4) turns are completed, Life Point totals are compared and the Duelist with the highest Life Point total wins the Match.
- If both Duelists’ Life Points are the same after the four (4) turns are completed, then play will continue on a turn-by-turn basis, with the Duelist with the most Life Points at the end of a turn being declared the winner of that Game.

Rule #3: If a win condition occurs during End of Match Procedures, that Duelist wins the current Game.

Keeping these three (3) rules in mind, please follow these instructions when proceeding to End of Match procedures:

Continue with the current Phase of the Game. Once the Phase is over, stop the game.
Determine a Game Winner at this point, with the Duelist with the most Life Points winning the Game.
- During Swiss Rounds, if both Duelists’ Life Points are the same, the Game is a Draw. Compare Game Wins with the Duelist with the most Game Wins winning the Match. If the Game Win totals are the same, the Match is a Draw.
- During Single-Elimination, if both Duelists’ Life Points are the same at the end of the current Phase (Step 1 above), finish the current turn. If both Duelists’ Life Points are the same at the end of the turn, then play will continue on a turn-by-turn basis, with the Duelist with the most Life Points at the end of a turn being declared the winner of that Game.
Match Draws cannot occur during Single-Elimination Rounds.

Invitations and Prizes

Q: Do I need an invitation to participate in the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series?

A: You do not need an invitation to participate. This event is open to all Duelists who have registered for the event.

Q: If I am not from the United States or Canada and I win the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series, do I get to play in the next North American World Championship Qualifier?

A: No, you will not. If the winner does not reside in the US or Canada, he or she will not be eligible to compete in the North America World Championship Qualifier. If the winner is from Latin American territories, they will earn an invite to compete in their region’s World Championship Qualifier. If the winner is from a territory outside of North America or Latin America, they would not be eligible to earn invites within these regions, nor within the region in which they reside.

Duelists can earn a WCQ invite through Regional Qualifiers, Dragon Duels, OTS Championships, and Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Tournaments in any country within North America and Latin America, but you can only compete in the World Championship Qualifier held for your Region and only for the Regions mentioned above.

Examples

If a Duelist from Mexico qualifies in the United States, he or she will still play in the Central American World Championship Qualifier.

If a Duelist who resides in North America or Latin America travels to an event outside of North America and Latin America, that Duelist is not eligible to earn an invite.

If a Duelist who resides outside of North America and Latin America travels to an event in North America or Latin America, that Duelist is not eligible to earn an invite.

If a Duelist qualifies in an event outside of their country, the invite will be awarded to the WCQ event in which their region would normally qualify for (North America and Latin America).

Q: If I qualify in a Dragon Duel Constructed Deck tournament (for Duelists born in 2010 or later) at the YCS, will I get an invite for the World Championship Qualifier?

A: Duelists who were born in 2010 or later (Dragon Duelists) who have earned an invite for the World Championship Qualifier are eligible to play in their region’s World Championship Qualifier. Dragon Duelists may not be able to participate in both the World Championship Qualifier and any separate events held specifically for Dragon Duelists. Please check FAQs for the World Championship Qualifier to confirm eligibility.

Q: What are the prizes for the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series?

Place	Prizes
1^st**	Ultra Rare Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Prize Card: Anotherverse Gluttonia Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Trophy YCS Branded Premium Messenger Bag Nintendo Switch™ Invite to and VIP status at the next World Championship Qualifier tournament Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Top Cut Game Mat
2nd	Super Rare Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Prize Card: Anotherverse Gluttonia YCS Branded Premium Messenger Bag Nintendo Switch™ Invite to the next World Championship Qualifier tournament Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Top Cut Game Mat
3rd	Super Rare Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Prize Card: Anotherverse Gluttonia Nintendo Switch™ Invite to the next World Championship Qualifier tournament Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Top Cut Game Mat
4th-8th	Nintendo Switch™ Invite to the next World Championship Qualifier tournament Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Top Cut Game Mat
9th-16th	24 booster packs of the current booster release Invite to the next World Championship Qualifier tournament Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Top Cut Game Mat
17th – 32nd	Invite to the next World Championship Qualifier tournament Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Top Cut Game Mat

If attendance is 2049 Duelists or more, Duelists who rank 33^rd to 64^th will also receive a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Top Cut Game Mat, an invite to the next World Championship Qualifier tournament, and World Qualifying Points.

**In addition to the prizes for 1^st place the winner will receive complimentary travel and accommodations to the next World Championship Qualifier in their territory. (North America and Latin America only).

Q: What is the Top Cut Game Mat and Prize Card?

YCS Prize Card

YCS Top Cut Game Mat

YCS Trophy

Q: How and when will I receive my Invite?

A: The list of Duelists who have earned invites to their World Championship Qualifier will be posted online at www.yugioh-card.com/en/events/rankings/wcq-invite-lists/. You will not receive a physical invitation, or an invitation through e-mail or postal mail – you will be entered in the invite list database.

Information about your World Championship Qualifier will be posted online – it will not be mailed or sent to you. Duelists are responsible to verify that their name appears on the appropriate Invite List, and to access posted information about their World Championship Qualifier tournament by checking the www.yugioh-card.com/en/events page for updates.

If you have a question about your Invite status, you can e-mail us-opsupport@konami.com and ask. Please provide your full name, CARD GAME ID number, and the date and location of the event at which you qualified, along with your question, so we can answer you quickly and efficiently.

Remember that Invite status information isn’t automatically or instantly updated, so you should allow some time for results to be posted from your tournament – it can take several weeks for the data to be entered into the system and posted online.

Q: Is travel or hotel included with my Invite?

A: Only the winner of each Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series tournament will receive paid travel and accommodations for their respective next TCG World Championship Qualifier tournament (winners from North, South and Central America only).

Q: Is the travel and accommodation just for the winner?

A: If the first-place winner is 18 or older, the travel and accommodation is just for the individual winner. If the first-place winner is 17 or younger at the time of the WCQ in their territory, the first-place winner would have to travel with their parent or court-appointed legal guardian. The parent or court-appointed legal guardian’s travel and accommodation will also be provided. Please note, if the first-place winner is 17 and under and their parent or court-appointed legal guardian cannot travel with them, then the first-place winner would not be eligible for the travel or accommodation.

World Qualifying Points

Q: If I make the Top Cut will I earn World Qualifying Points at the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series?

A: Yes, all the Duelists that make the Top Cut at the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series event will earn World Qualifying Points.

Q: How do I find more information about World Qualifying Points?

A: Please see the Worlds Qualifying Points Page for the current leader board and Frequently Asked Questions here: https://www.yugioh-card.com/en/events/wqp/

Card Legality

Q: What cards are legal for play?

A: Please check the “Products” page online at https://www.yugioh-card.com/en/products/ for an updated look at the legality dates of Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME product releases, prior to preparing your Deck for the event.

Advanced Format tournaments use a specific list of playable cards. Some cards are forbidden from use, or limited to a set number in the Deck, in order to better balance tournament play. Duelists can view the most current Advanced Format card list by visiting this link: https://www.yugioh-card.com/en/limited/

Constructed Decks for Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG tournaments must meet specific guidelines for use in the event. Duelists must ensure that their Decks meet these requirements before entering an event. A Duelist’s Deck includes their Main Deck and may include a Side Deck and/or an Extra Deck.

A Duelist may not have more than three copies of any card included in their Main Deck, Side Deck, and Extra Deck combined.

Cards that have been altered from their original appearance with surface decoration may be used for play only if the alterations do not obscure any portion of the card text, make the illustration difficult to recognize, or make the card distinguishable from other cards in the Deck while it is face-down.

If a card’s surface decoration renders the card unrecognizable at first glance, then the card is not allowed for tournament play.

The Head Judge of the event has final arbitration on whether or not altered cards may be used at the tournament. Duelists are responsible for determining whether or not their altered cards are acceptable for use before the start of the tournament.

Q: Can I use OCG cards (cards printed for use in Japan and other Asian territories) in my Deck?

A: No, cards printed for Asian markets are not legal for play in TCG tournaments, even if you have a translation available.

Q: Can I use foreign language cards in my Deck?

A: You may use foreign-language copies of legal-for-play cards printed for the TCG market, if you can show an official translation of the card when asked to do so by an opponent or tournament official. Translations do not have to be a local language version of the card. An official translation written down or printed is acceptable. If you want to use a local language version of the card as your translation, you must keep that card outside of your Deck box.

Public Events

Q: What are the different types of Public Events?

Name	# of Participants****	Format	Participation Prizing	Prizing***
2024 Regional Qualifiers (16-Duelist Flights) *	16	Advanced Format – Single-Elimination (Ongoing)	4 Booster Packs	1^st Place: An invite to the next World Championship Qualifier, Regional Deck Box, and 2024 Regional Game Mat
3 vs. 3 Team Dueling*	64 Teams	3 vs. 3 Team Dueling Format – Single-Elimination	1 Booster Pack per team member	1^st Place: Each team member will receive an uncut 3 x 3 sheet of Secret Rares 2^nd Place: Each team member will receive an uncut 3 x 3 sheet of Ultra Rares 3^rd/4^thPlace: Each team member will receive an uncut 3 x 3 sheet of Super Rares
ATTACK OF THE GIANT CARD!!*	128	Advanced Format – Single-Elimination	5 Booster Packs	1^st Place: Oversized Yu-Gi-Oh! Card 2^nd–3^rd Place: Oversized Yu-Gi-Oh! Card (half the size of 1^st place)
Dragon Duel Constructed*	Unlimited	Advanced Format – Swiss (No Playoff Cut)	None	Refer to What are the prizes for the Dragon Duel? section for prize information.
Dragon Duel Casual Sealed	Unlimited	Speed Duel Sealed Format – Swiss (No Playoff Cut)	None	Refer to What are the prizes for the Dragon Duel? Section for prize information
DUEL LINKS Tournament	8	DUEL LINKS Format Single-Elimination	3 Booster Packs	1^st Place: Blue-Eyes White Dragon (chibi) pin and Lion Patch 2^nd Place: Ox Patch 3^rd & 4^th Place: Bear Patch
MASTER DUEL Tournament	8	Master Duel Format Single-Elimination	3 Booster Packs	1^st Place: MASTER DUEL Desk Mat
Rivalry of Warlords Tournament	8	Single-Elimination	3 Booster Packs	1^st Place: Rivalry of Warlords Game Mat
Speed Duel ATTACK OF THE GIANT CARD!!* **	64	Speed Duel Constructed Format – Single Elimination	4 Speed Duel OTS Packs	1^st Place: Oversized Yu-Gi-Oh! Speed Duel Card 2^nd-3^rd Place: Oversized Yu-Gi-Oh! Speed Duel Card (half the size of 1^st place)
Speed Duel Constructed Tournament	8	Speed Duel Constructed Format – Single-Elimination (Ongoing)	3 Speed Duel OTS Packs	1^st Place: Speed Duel Game Mat, Score Pad and 2 Speed Duel Tournament Packs 2^nd Place: 2 Speed Duel Tournament Packs
Structure Deck Tournament	8	Sealed Format – Single-Elimination (Ongoing)	1 Structure Deck	1^st Place: Structure Deck Tournament Game Mat
Tag Duel	8 Teams	Tag Duel Format – Single Elimination (Ongoing)	2 Booster Pack per team member	1^st Place: Each team member will receive a 2×2 uncut sheet
Time Wizard Tournament	8	Previous Forbidden & Limited List and Card Pool Single-Elimination	3 Booster Packs	1^st Place: Time Wizard Game Mat
Ultimate Time Wizard Tournament*	256	Time Wizard Format – Swiss (Playoff Cut)	5 Booster Packs	1^st Place: Oversized Yu-Gi-Oh! Card 2^nd-3^rd Place: Oversized Yu-Gi-Oh! Card (half the size of 1^st place) Top Cut: Time Wizard Tournament Game Mat
Win-A-Mat	8	Advanced Format – Single-Elimination (Ongoing)	3 Booster Packs	1^st Place: Win-A-Mat Game Mat
Yu-Gi-Oh! Charity Tournament	Unlimited	Advanced Format Swiss (No Playoff Cut)	4 Tournament Packs	12 Match Points: 16 Tournament Packs 10 Match Points: 12 Tournament Packs 9 Match Points: 8 Tournament Packs 7 or 8 Match Points: 6 Tournament Packs 6 Match Points: 4 Tournament Packs 4 or 5 Match Points: 3 Tournament Packs 3 Match Points: 2 Tournament Packs 1 or 2 Match Points: 1 tournament pack
Yu-Gi-Oh! Day Tournament**	8	Advanced Format – Single Elimination (Ongoing)	3 Booster Packs	1^st Place: Yu-Gi-Oh! Day Game Mat 1^st – 8^th Place: Yu-Gi-Oh! Day Field Center or Token Card
YCS Dragon Duel Championship Playoff*	2	Advanced Format – One (1) Match		1^st Place: YCS Dragon Duel Champion Trophy & a Super Rare set of the Darklord YCS Prize Cards
Public Events Playoff*	4 per Playoff	Advanced Format – Single-Elimination		1^st Place: Super Rare copy of the current YCS prize card.

*Deck Lists are required.

**Not all Public Events are scheduled at every YCS. Please refer to the Public Event Schedule for each specific YCS to see what Public Events are available.

***Prizing is limited and subject to change. Any change in prizing will be announced before registration begins for any event with prizing different than advertised.

****Number of Participants per event subject to change without notice. Any change will be announced.

Q: What are the point values for the Public Events?

Event	Participation Points	Additional Points for Winning
3 vs 3 Team Duel	3	3
Dragon Duel Constructed	3	3
Rivalry of Warlords Tournament	3	3
Structure Deck Tournament	3	3
ATTACK OF THE GIANT CARD!!	2	2
Regional Qualifier Flights	2	2
Speed Duel ATTACK OF THE GIANT CARD!!	2	2
Speed Duel Constructed	2	2
Tag Duel	2	2
Yu-Gi-Oh! Charity Tournament	2	2
Yu-Gi-Oh! Day Tournament	2	2
Time Wizard Tournament	1	1
Ultimate Time Wizard Tournament	1	1
Win-A-Mat	1	1

No Public Event Points are awarded to the following events:

Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series Main Event
YCS Dragon Duel Championship
Dragon Duel Casual Sealed
DUEL LINKS Tournament
MASTER DUEL Tournament

Duelists must be present for the start of the first round of each event for which they register, in order to receive the entry points. You cannot register in more than one event at a time. If you register for an event while you are still enrolled in a previous event, you will forfeit all Public Event points for all events in which you are simultaneously registered.

Q: What is a Swiss Round Tournament?

A: Duelists are paired off based on each Duelist’s win/loss record. Duelists are not eliminated when they lose a Match during Swiss rounds – instead, they will continue to be paired against Duelists with similar records for all remaining rounds of the event.

Q: What is a Single-Elimination Tournament?

A: Half of the tournament is eliminated after each round – the losing Duelist is out of the tournament, while the winner goes on to the next round. This continues until only one Duelist remains, which is then declared the winner.

Q: What is a Dragon Duel?

A: Dragon Duel tournaments are exclusive to Duelists born before a certain calendar year, with the calendar year requirement moving forward after the World Championship each year. The current year requirement is for Duelists born on 2010 or later.

Dragon Duel tournaments are exclusive to Duelists born 2010 or later. Dragon Duels give a chance to earn an invite to the Dragon Duel World Championship Qualifier. It is run using Swiss Rounds without a Top Cut playoff.

Number of Participants*	Number of Swiss Rounds	Playoff Top Cut
4 – 8	3 Rounds of Swiss	None
9 – 16	4 Rounds of Swiss	None
17 – 32	5 Rounds of Swiss	None
33 – 64	6 Rounds of Swiss	None
65 – 128	7 Rounds of Swiss	None

The Dragon Duels at the YCS will offer two formats, a more casual Speed Duel Sealed Tournament and a competitive Advanced Format Constructed Deck Tournament.

There is no registration fee for either Dragon Duel tournament. The sealed Speed Duel product is provided at no cost by KDE-US.

Participants are required to provide proof of age to participate in a Dragon Duel (Copy of Birth Certificate, Passport, etc.).

Duelists must be born in 2010 or later.

A minimum of four (4) Duelists is required to run each Dragon Duel tournament.

Q: What is the Format for the Dragon Duel Casual Sealed event?

A: Each Duelist would receive a Speed Duel Demo Deck. They would then play a normal best 2 out of 3 game matches following Speed Duel Rules (A how to play guide is available as well).

Each Duelist begins the game with 4000 Life Points
Each Duelist begins the game with four cards as their starting hand
The Main Deck size is 20 cards
Each Duelist has one Skill Card
Skill Card effects do not use the chain
Each Duelist has three Main Monster Zones, three Spell & Trap Zones, and one Field Zone.
The Duelist going first does not draw a card on their opening turn.
The hand size limit is six cards.

For more information on Speed Dueling please see https://www.yugioh-card.com/en/speedduel/index.html

Q: What are the prizes for the Dragon Duel Casual Sealed event?

A: All Duelists receive the Speed Duel Demo Deck for the tournament and in addition, the winner will receive a Speed Duel coin.

Q: Does the Dragon Duel Casual Sealed event affect the Dragon Duel Championship Tournament?

A: No, the Casual Sealed Deck tournament does not affect the Dragon Duel Championship and also does not award any invites.

Q: What is the Advanced Format Constructed Dragon Duel?

A: For the Advanced Format Constructed Tournament, Decks must be constructed per the latest Advanced Format guidelines. (See here for more information: http://www.yugioh-card.com/en/limited/index.html). The Forbidden & Limited list is updated periodically; refer to the “UPDATED” date on that page to ensure your Deck matches the current format

A Deck list is required for participation in the Advanced Format Constructed Deck Dragon Duel Tournament. Dragon Duel tournaments are Tier 2 events.

Q: What are the prizes for the Advanced Format Constructed Deck Dragon Duel?

A: Top 4 Duelists in the Advanced Format Constructed Deck Dragon Duel tournament will receive a 2024 Regional Game Mat, a Dragon Duel Medal, and a Regional Card Case.

In addition to the prizes listed above, invites awarded in the Dragon Duel for the World Championship Qualifier are based off of attendance, with the top-ranking Duelists after the final round of Swiss earning an invite to the WCQ.

Number of Dragon Duelers	# of Invites
4 – 8	4 Invites
9 – 16	8 Invites
17 – 32	12 Invites
33 – 64	16 Invites
65 or more	20 Invites

The guardian for any Dragon Duelists who earn an invite to the WCQ must fill out a copy of the WCQ Invite Form prior to receiving their prizes. A valid e-mail address must be provided for the guardian. Duelists are required to complete and submit a WCQ Invite form on site. Prizes are not awarded until after the WCQ Invite forms have been completed and properly submitted.

The winner of the Saturday Dragon Duel will not be able to participate in the Sunday Dragon Duel, but the winner from the Saturday Dragon Duel and the winner from the Sunday Dragon Duel will compete for the Dragon Duel Trophy on Sunday at 4:30 PM.

The winner from both the Saturday Advanced Constructed Deck Dragon Duel and the Sunday Advanced Constructed Deck Dragon Duel will compete for the title of YCS Dragon Duel Champion and a YCS Dragon Duel Champion Trophy.

Q: What is the YCS Dragon Duel Championship?

A: The YCS Dragon Duel Championship is a way to honor our Dragon Duelists who attend each YCS event. The Dragon Duelist who places 1^st on the Saturday Advanced Constructed Deck Dragon Duel will not be able to compete in the Advanced Constructed Deck Dragon Duel on Sunday. They do instead get a free entry into any other Public Event on that Sunday of the YCS. At 4:30 PM on Sunday we will take the 1^st place winners of the Advanced Constructed Deck Dragon Duels from both Saturday and Sunday and have them play a best 2-out-of-3 Match using their own constructed Deck. The winner will receive the title of YCS Dragon Duel Champion, a YCS Dragon Duel Championship trophy, and a Super Rare set of the Darklord YCS Prize Cards (Darklord Asmodeus, Darklord Superbia, and Darklord Edeh Arae).

Q: What are the rules for the 3 vs. 3 Team Duel event?

A: The 3 vs. 3 Team Dueling event will be Advanced Format Constructed, Single-Elimination with no Playoff Cut.

Duelists must use an uncut KDE Registration Form sheet to register for this event (3 Registration Forms per sheet). The top Duelist is automatically Duelist A, the middle is Duelist B, and the bottom is Duelist C.

Duelist A is the Team Captain and is the primary point of contact in regard to administrative purposes.

Each team must register a Team Name. The Team Name must be written on the top of the Registration Form. Team Names may not be offensive or disrespectful in any manner. Event Staff reserve the right to request a new team name if they feel the name may be inappropriate.

Here are the basic rules:

When registering for the tournament, each team will designate one Duelist on the team to be Duelist A, one to be Duelist B, and one to be Duelist C.
Team members must keep their team designation throughout the tournament.
At the start of the round, Duelist A will play against Duelist A, Duelist B will play against Duelist B, and Duelist C will play against Duelist C. Team members play as individuals – they do not share cards, Decks, Life Points, etc.
All members of the team will play a best 2 out of 3 matches.
The team with the most Match wins gets the win for the round.

Example of play:

Team 1 (Duelist A1, Duelist B1, and Duelist C1) and Team 2 (Duelist A2, Duelist B2, and Duelist C2) play each other in Round 1.

Duelist A1 sits across from Duelist A2, and they play each other, best 2 out of 3.
Duelist B1 sits across from Duelist B2, and they play each other, best 2 out of 3.
Duelist C1 sits across from Duelist C2, and they play each other, best 2 out of 3.

At the end of the Round, the teams compare Match wins.

Duelist A1 won the Match against Duelist A2.
Duelist B1 won the Match against Duelist B2.
Duelist C1 lost the Match against Duelist C2.

Since Team 1 has 2 Match wins, Team 1 wins the round.

Q: What are the rules for Rivalry of Warlords Tournaments?

A: Rivalry of Warlords Tournaments will use a pre-built Rivalry of Warlords Deck randomly assigned at the beginning of the tournament. No changes to the Deck are allowed.

The Duelists will then be given 10 minutes to look over their cards and read the manual for their assigned Deck before the start of the tournament.

Once the above steps are completed the Duelists then will play against their first-round opponent in a best 2-out of-3 match.

Q: What are the rules for Speed Duel Constructed Tournaments?

A: Duelists can bring their own Speed Duel Deck and play in a Constructed Speed Duel event. Similar to above;

Each Duelist begins the game with 4000 Life Points
Each Duelist begins the game with four cards as their starting hand
Skill Card effects do not use the chain
Each Duelist has three Main Monster Zones, three Spell & Trap Zones, and one Field Zone.
The Duelist going first does not draw a card on their opening turn.
The hand size limit is six cards.
Each Duelist may have an active Field Spell Card.

To build your own Constructed Speed Duel Deck, you will need to follow these requirements before entering an event.

Only cards with a Speed Duel Logo can be used in your Deck
Your Deck includes the Main Deck and may include a Side Deck and/or Extra Deck
You may not have more than three copies of any card included in your Main Deck, Side Deck, and Extra Deck combined.
Your Main Deck must have a minimum of 20 cards, and a maximum of 30 cards (cards in the Side and Extra Decks do not count towards this total).
In a Constructed tournament, you may use a Side Deck consisting of 0 to 6 cards in addition to your Main Deck. Skill Cards can be included in your Side Deck.
If you choose not to use a Skill Card during the first Duel of a Match and you have Skill Cards in your Side Deck, you may use a Skill Card from the Side Deck as part of the Side Deck process for Game 2 or Game 3.
If you choose to use a Skill Card during the first Duel of a Match, you may opt not to use a Skill Card for subsequent Duels in the Match.
In a Constructed Tournament, you may use an Extra Deck consisting of 0 to 6 Extra Deck Monsters.

Duelists can review the Speed Duel Policy Document here: https://www.yugioh-card.com/en/downloads/penalty_guide/Speed_Duel_Addendum_1.2_KDE-US.pdf

In addition to the Speed Duel Policy Document, Speed Duelists should be aware of Skill Card Text and Skill Card Rules updates. These changes can be reviewed here: https://yugiohblog.konami.com/2021/11/skillcard-update/.

Q: Will there be a Speed Duel Limited List for Speed Duel Public Events at the YCS?

A: Yes. Please see the specific YCS short FAQ for the Speed Duel Limited List.

Q: What are the rules for Structure Deck Tournaments?

The eight (8) Duelists are seated across from their first-round opponent.
Each Duelist is then given one (1) of the same sealed Structure Deck.
The Duelists will then be given 10 minutes to look over their cards and sleeve their main Deck and Extra Deck, should they choose to do so, with tournament-legal sleeves.
Once the above steps are completed the Duelists then will play against their first-round opponent in a best 2-out of-3 match.

Deck Construction Rules

Main Deck Size	All Main Deck Cards
Extra Deck Size	All Extra Deck Cards
Forbidden/Limited List	The Advanced Format list does not apply.

Q: What are the rules for Tag Duel Tournaments?

A: Besides the 3 vs. 3 Team events, Duelists can also pair up to play cooperatively in Tag Duel!

Tag Duel Tournaments are Advanced constructed, Single-Elimination events with no playoff cut.

Duelists must register using a Team Registration Form. The Duelist listed as Duelist A will be team captain for administrative purposes. Each team must register a Team Name. The Team Name must be written on the top of the Registration Form. Team Names may not be offensive or disrespectful in any manner. Event Staff reserve the right to request a new team name if they feel the name may be inappropriate.

Here are the basic rules:

When registering each team will designate one Duelist as Duelist A and the other as Duelist B. Team members must keep their team designation throughout the tournament.
Each Duelist will have their own unique field.
Each Duelist uses their own Deck (2 Decks per team)
Each Duelist uses only Pendulum Scales they control for a Pendulum Summon.
Duelists may use cards that their teammate possesses to pay costs for activating effects, or to meet the Summoning conditions of monsters.
Teams share a Life Point total of 16,000 (if it reaches zero, that team loses the Duel).
Each Team can have one (1) Field Spell card on the field at a time. If either Duelist on a team controls a Field Spell, it must be sent to the Graveyard before a new one can be placed (Set or activated) on the field.
Each Duelist can Summon Monsters from their own Extra Deck only.
Any member of a team may use any cards in play on their team’s side of the field for Tribute Summons, Ritual Summons, and Summons from the Extra Deck.
Teammates may not activate effects (Ignition Effects, Normal Spell Cards, Quick Effects, Trigger Effects, Continuous Effects, etc.) that their teammate possesses unless the effect is able to be utilized by all Duelists.
Trigger effects, even if it is an effect triggered by the Duelist, can only be activated by the Duelist who possesses that card.
Teammates may talk, compare hands, and share information freely with each other. Teammates must come to an agreement before making plays involving each other’s cards. Teammates cannot take an extended period to discuss their actions and must still conduct their moves in a timely manner.
A team loses if their Life Points reach zero or if either Duelist on a team cannot draw a card from their Deck when required to. If a Duelist reaches a special victory condition (such as Final Countdown or Exodia the Forbidden One), that team wins.
Each Duelist on each team may run three (3) of any card not currently on the Forbidden and Limited List. Each Duelist is also allowed to run one (1) of any Limited Card and two (2) of any Semi-Limited Card currently on the Forbidden and Limited Lists.

Example of Play

Duelists on the same team sit beside each other, with Duelist A seated to the right of Duelist B.

Team 1 consists of Duelists 1A & 1B and Team 2 consists of Duelists 2A & 2B.

The Turn order starts with Duelist A on the Team that chose to go first and then alternates between teams. See example below with Team 1 going first.

Team 1 Duelist 1A
Team 2 Duelist 2A
Team 1 Duelist 1B
Team 2 Duelist 2B
Continue until one team wins
The first Duelist to start the Duel does not draw at the start of their first turn.
Tag Duel Matches are run in Best-of-One Duel Format
Tag Duel Matches are 30 minutes in length.
Tag Duel Matches utilizes the current End of Match procedure
- When time is called, the current Duelist will finish their phase and then life points will be calculated

Attacking

The active Duelist can only attack with Attack Position monsters that they control. Duelists may not attack with their teammate’s monsters.

If there is a monster on the opponent’s side of the field (in either Duelist’s Main/Extra Monster Card Zones) then it must be destroyed before attacking the opponent’s life points directly.

The first 3 Duelists of the Duel (see above, Duelists 1A, 2A and 1B) cannot conduct their Battle Phase and cannot attack on their first turns.

Additional Rules and Card Effect interaction examples can be found here on the Alternate Tournament Format Page.

Q: What are the rules for Time Wizard Tournaments?

A: Time Wizard events use the available Cards, Forbidden & Limited List, and game rules from the era determined by the chosen format for the tournament you enter.

Please check the specific YCS Short FAQ for the Time Wizard formats being offered at each YCS!

Q: What are the rules for the Ultimate Time Wizard Tournament?

A: Time Wizard events use the available Cards, Forbidden & Limited List, and game rules from the era determined by the chosen format.

Please check the specific YCS Short FAQ for the Ultimate Time Wizard format being offered!

The Ultimate Time Wizard Tournament will be Swiss Rounds with Playoff Cut.

Number of Participants*	Number of Swiss Rounds	Playoff Top Cut
4 – 8	3 Rounds of Swiss	Top 2
9 – 16	4 Rounds of Swiss	Top 4
17 – 32	5 Rounds of Swiss	Top 8
33 – 64	6 Rounds of Swiss	Top 8
65 – 128	7 Rounds of Swiss	Top 8
129-256	8 Rounds of Swiss	Top 8

All Swiss rounds will take place on Day 1 of the event, with Top Cut take place on Day 2 of the event.

Please check the specific YCS Short FAQ for the Ultimate Time Wizard registration and check in information. In order to participate in the Ultimate Time Wizard event, you will need to register online and check in on site before the start of the event, or you will be dropped.

Q: What are the rules for the Yu-Gi-Oh! Charity Tournament?

A: A Yu-Gi-Oh! Charity Tournament is a special Advanced Constructed format event with 4 Swiss rounds with no top cut. This is a fun tournament with great prizing to help raise money for charity.

Each Duelist will get 4 Tournament Packs for entering and will earn Tournament Packs as prizing based on final record.

Duelists with 12 Match Points at the end of Swiss will get 16 Tournament Packs as prizing.

Duelists with 10 Match Points at the end of Swiss will get 12 Tournament Packs as prizing.

Duelists with 9 Match Points at the end of Swiss will get 8 Tournament Packs as prizing.

Duelists with 7 or 8 Match Points at the end of Swiss will get 6 Tournament Packs as prizing.

Duelists with 6 Match Points at the end of Swiss will get 4 Tournament Packs as prizing.

Duelists with 4 or 5 Match Points at the end of Swiss will get 3 Tournament Packs as prizing.

Duelists with 3 Match Points at the end of Swiss will get 2 Tournament Packs as prizing.

Please see the specific YCS short FAQ for the specific charity for each YCS.

Q: What are the Rules for DUEL LINKS Tournaments?

A: This event allows you to bring your device and connect to others for a DUEL LINKS format, Single-Elimination event. Test your Deck builds in a Duel using the latest DUEL LINKS Forbidden and Limited restrictions to compete for DUEL LINKS Prize Patches and the new 1st place Pin! (while supplies last)!

Rounds will be played best of three (3) Duels.
Rounds will be 45 minutes long.

Between each Duel, you may use your Side Deck to alter your Deck for the next Duel.

Your Side Deck can consist of between 0 to 12 of the following;
- Between 0 and 12 cards
- Between 0 and 3 Legendary Duelists with a Character Skill
  - For example, a Side Deck could be made up of 9 cards and 3 additional Legendary Duelists with a Character Skill or 1 additional Legendary Duelist with 3 different Character Skills
Any changes can be made to the Deck between Duels of a Match, including the following:
- Adding Cards
- Subtracting Cards
- Changing Legendary Duelist
- Changing Character Skill
The Deck must be legal for play (appropriate number of cards in the Main and Side Deck, complies with the Forbidden and Limited list available within the DUEL LINKS app).
If the Duelist believes there is an error or other issue with their Deck, they should contact a Judge immediately.
After you finish preparing your Deck, please notify the judge that you have completed Side Decking and are ready to start your next Duel.
Failure to do this by the 3-minute mark may result in appropriate penalties.
- If there are any issues while Side Decking or connecting to the room after confirming you are ready for your next Duel, please notify a judge immediately.
Duelists are required to revert their Deck back to its original Deck prior to the start of each Match in an On-Demand Single-Elimination Public Event. Duelists must have a DUEL LINKS legal-for-play Deck prior to each played Game/Match.
- Some DUEL LINKS Events will require Deck Lists, please be sure to check event information regarding Deck lists to confirm.

In case of a disconnect, win/loss will be determined by the result given in-game. If the app crashes, or both Duelists disconnect simultaneously and a win is not decided, the Duelists will restart that Duel using the same Decks. Side Decking will not be allowed for that specific Duel.

Instructions on how the competitors can connect to the in-game Tournament Room will be provided once you are seated for the events.

Duelists will need to have the latest DUEL LINKS app installed on their device and reached Stage 4 or higher to participate in Tournaments. Please check with Event Staff at the YCS for the latest version prior to signing up for a DUEL LINKS event.

Q: What are the rules for MASTER DUEL Tournaments?

A: This event allows you to use your own device and connect to others remotely for a MASTER DUEL format, Single-Elimination event. Test your Deck builds in a Duel using the latest MASTER DUEL Forbidden and Limited restrictions to compete for MASTER DUEL Prizes (while supplies last)!

Rounds will be played best of three (3) Duels.
Rounds will be 50 minutes long.

Between each Duel, you may use your Side Deck to alter your Deck for the next Duel.

Your Side Deck is every card in your collection.
Any changes can be made to the Deck between Duels of a Match, including the following:
- Adding Cards
- Subtracting Cards
The Deck must be legal for play (appropriate number of cards in the Main and Side Deck, complies with the Forbidden and Limited list available within the MASTER DUEL app).
If the Duelist believes there is an error or other issue with their Deck, they should contact a Judge immediately.
After you finish preparing your Deck, please notify the judge that you have completed Side Decking and are ready to start your next Duel.
Failure to do this by the 3-minute mark may result in appropriate penalties.
- If there are any issues while Side Decking or connecting to the room after confirming you are ready for your next Duel, please notify a judge immediately.
Duelists are required to revert their Deck back to its original Deck prior to the start of each Match in an On-Demand Single-Elimination Public Event. Duelists must have a MASTER DUEL legal-for-play Deck prior to each played Game/Match.
- Some MASTER DUEL Events will require Deck Lists, please be sure to check event information regarding Deck Lists to confirm.

Instructions on how the competitors can connect to the in-game Tournament Room will be provided once you are seated for the events.

Duelists will need to have the latest MASTER DUEL app installed on their device to participate in Tournaments. Please open the MASTER DUEL app before registering to check if an update is required.

Q: What is the Public Events playoff?

A: The Public Events playoff gives eight (8) hopeful Duelists a chance to win their very own copy of the coveted YCS Prize Card! There are two different playoffs, each of which awards the YCS Prize Card to the winner.

Playoff 1: The four (4) Duelists who have accumulated the highest number of Public Event points will play two rounds of Single-Elimination to determine a winner, who will receive a Super Rare copy of the YCS Prize Card. In case of a tie in total points, the selection will be made by random drawing from the tied competitors.

Playoff 2: Four (4) names will be drawn at random from all Public Events entrants over the course of the weekend. These four (4) Duelists will then play two rounds of Single-Elimination to determine a winner, who will receive a Super Rare copy of the YCS Prize Card.

Q. What is the Prize Wall?

A: The Prize Wall is an extension of public events! In addition to earning prizes for participating in these tournaments, Duelists can also receive prize tickets. You can spend these prize tickets at the Prize Wall for items offered. These items are subject to change, and to availability.

How do I earn Prize Tickets?
Each Duelist that wins at least one (1) Round of a public event will receive prize tickets according to the table below. The number of tickets awarded for doing well depends on the type of tournament.

Tournament	Duelists	Tickets Awarded
3 vs 3 Team Duel	Up to 64 Teams	Teams with 5 Match Wins: 5 Tickets per Duelist Teams with 4 Match Wins: 3 Tickets per Duelist Teams with 3 Match Wins: 2 Tickets per Duelist Teams with 2 Match Wins: 2 Tickets per Duelist Teams with 1 Match Win: 2 Tickets per Duelist
ATTACK OF THE GIANT CARD!!	65-128	Duelists with 6 Match Wins: 10 Tickets Duelists with 5 Match Wins: 5 Tickets Duelists with 4 Match Wins: 3 Tickets Duelists with 3 Match Wins: 2 Tickets Duelists with 2 Match Wins: 2 Tickets Duelists with 1 Match Win: 2 Tickets
ATTACK OF THE GIANT CARD!!	Up to 64	Duelists with 5 Match Wins: 10 Tickets Duelists with 4 Match Wins: 5 Tickets Duelists with 3 Match Wins: 3 Tickets Duelists with 2 Match Wins: 2 Tickets Duelists with 1 Match Win: 2 Tickets
Dragon Duel	No Limit	Place Top 4: 3 Tickets Participation: 1 Ticket
DUEL LINKS	8	Duelists with 2 Match Wins: 5 Tickets Duelists with 1 Match Win: 3 Tickets
MASTER DUEL	8	Duelists with 2 Match Wins: 5 Tickets Duelists with 1 Match Win: 3 Tickets
Regional Qualifier	16	Duelists with 3 Match Wins: 5 Tickets Duelists with 2 Match Wins: 3 Tickets Duelists with 1 Match Win: 1 Tickets
Rivalry of Warlords	8	Duelists with 2 Match Wins: 5 Tickets Duelists with 1 Match Win: 3 Tickets
Speed Duel ATTACK OF THE GIANT CARD!!	17-32	Duelists with 4 Match Wins: 6 Tickets Duelists with 3 Match Wins: 4 Tickets Duelists with 2 Match Wins: 3 Tickets Duelists with 1 Match Win: 2 Tickets
Speed Duel ATTACK OF THE GIANT CARD!!	Up to 16	Duelists with 3 Match Wins: 6 Tickets Duelists with 2 Match Wins: 4 Tickets Duelists with 1 Match Win: 3 Tickets
Speed Duel Constructed	8	Duelists with 2 Match Wins: 5 Tickets Duelists with 1 Match Win: 3 Tickets
Structure Deck	8	Duelists with 2 Match Wins: 5 Tickets Duelists with 1 Match Win: 3 Tickets
Tag Duel	8 Teams	Teams with 2 Match Wins: 5 Tickets per Duelist Teams with 1 Match Win: 3 Ticket per Duelist
Time Wizard	8	Duelists with 2 Match Wins: 5 Tickets Duelists with 1 Match Win: 3 Tickets
Ultimate Time Wizard Tournament	Up to 64	27 Match Points: 30 Tickets 25 Match Points: 25 Tickets 24 Match Points: 20 Tickets 18-23 Match Points: 15 Tickets 12-17 Match Points: 10 Tickets 6-11 Match Points: 6 Tickets 3-5 Match Points: 2 Tickets
Ultimate Time Wizard Tournament	65-128	30 Match Points: 35 Tickets 28 Match Points: 30 Tickets 27 Match Points: 25 Tickets 24-26 Match Points: 20 Tickets 18-23 Match Points: 15 Tickets 12-17 Match Points: 10 Tickets 6-11 Match Points: 6 Tickets 3-5 Match Points: 2 Tickets
Ultimate Time Wizard Tournament	129-256	33 Match Points: 40 Tickets 31 Match Points: 35 Tickets 30 Match Points: 30 Tickets 24-29 Match Points: 25 Tickets 18-23 Match Points: 20 Tickets 12-17 Match Points: 15 Tickets 6-11 Match Points: 6 Tickets 3-5 Match Points: 2 Tickets
Win-A-Mat	8	Duelists with 2 Match Wins: 5 Tickets Duelists with 1 Match Win: 3 Tickets
Yu-Gi-Oh! Charity Tournament	No Limit	12 Match Points: 15 Tickets 10 Match Points: 12 Tickets 9 Match Points: 9 Tickets 7-8 Match Points: 6 Tickets 6 Match Points: 3 Tickets 4-5 Match Points: 2 Tickets 3 Match Points: 1 Ticket
Yu-Gi-Oh! Day	8	Duelists with 2 Match Wins: 5 Tickets Duelists with 1 Match Win: 3 Tickets

*Dragon Duel Casual Sealed do not award Prize Wall tickets*

Prize tickets can be taken to the Prize Wall, which offers a selection of items similar to what you can win by playing in Public Event tournaments.

Additionally, prize tickets have no monetary value, and are not for sale.

Prize tickets can only be redeemed at the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series event at which they were earned, they cannot be used at a future event.

Miscellaneous

Q: I may need assistance to participate at a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series due to a disability or recent injury, what should I do?

A: Please refer to the Events Page on the website for the specific YCS location and contact the Event Coordinator or Tournament Organizer to make them aware of your concerns so that between them and the KDE-US Representatives, you can be provided with a comfortable gaming experience.

If you require assigned seating on site, please notify a registration staff member at the time of registration.

Q: I want to judge at a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series, instead of competing as a Duelist – how can I apply?

A: If you’re interested in judging at a Tier 2 or higher event, please visit https://www.yugioh-card.com/en/judges/, for information about how to join the KONAMI Judge Program.

All potential judges must pass the online Rulings Comprehension Level 1 test, and then complete an online application to join the Judge Program.

Please see the KONAMI Judge Program FAQ for answers to most common questions: https://www.yugioh-card.com/en/judges/judge-faq/

Q: Will there be vendors on site so I can buy single cards and supplies and sell my cards?

A: There will be several vendors present, selling single cards, sealed product, and card supplies such as sleeves and card cases. Vendors will also be buying cards on site.

Q: Can I buy and sell from other people at the event?

A: Duelists are not allowed to buy or sell from one another at Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series venues. If you do so, you risk incurring penalties, including being disqualified and removed from the event.

Buying and selling includes all items, not just cards or gaming supplies.

Trading is restricted to cards and Yu-Gi-Oh! related items such as playmats and dice – attendees may not bring other merchandise or items to the venue for trading.

Attendees may not solicit business, hand out flyers, etc., while at the venue.

The Tournament Organizer reserves the right to limit the number of cards that can be brought into the venue for trading.

Q: I want to vend at a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series, who should I contact?

A: Vending space is available free of charge at Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series venues but is only available to Official Tournament Stores in good standing. Vendors must meet certain requirements and agree to abide by set guidelines. Interested vendors should email us-opsupport@konami.com with the header “Request to Vend at [name and location of event].” Vendors will be required to complete and apply for each event at which they wish to vend. Keep in mind that KDE handles the applications for vending at Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series events, and not the Tournament Organizer.

Cash transactions with anyone other than an approved vendor at an approved location are prohibited at Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series events. Attendees who conduct cash transactions, such as selling of cards or product, to anyone other than an approved vendor at a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series event risk penalties including disqualification and expulsion from the venue.

Anyone buying and/or selling as an unauthorized vendor at a Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series venue may also risk incurring penalties, including but not limited to, being disqualified and removed from the event, suspensions from KONAMI Organized Play, and suspension as an Official Tournament Store.

Q: What is a Fan Content Area?

A: For those of you who enjoy posting your own photos and videos on Social Media, we’re setting up a special Fan Content Area at the YCS. Want to make a video about your experience? A Deck Profile video with someone in the Top Cut or who has an interesting Deck? Interview other players? There will be a dedicated space for you to do just that at the YCS. Table space and backdrops are provided for those wishing to use the Fan Content Area. In order to use the Fan Content Area, you must agree to the Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Content Terms and Conditions. You can review these terms and conditions at the Fan Content Area of the YCS.

Q: Where can I get food and drinks during the tournament?

A: There will be food and drinks available either from an onsite vendor or one near the venue. If there is not food available in the event hall, a lunch break will be scheduled into the tournament and announced at the start of the event.

Q: When will the schedule for other Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series tournaments be posted?

A: For updated information on this event and other events as they become finalized, keep checking www.yugioh-card.com/en/events . There is no set time frame for these announcements; they will be made as the information becomes available.

Q: Can I get a CARD GAME ID number at the Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series tournament, or will I need to have one before I attend the event?

A: If you previously had a COSSY ID, that same number will carry over as your CARD GAME ID. You will still need to register online at https://cardgame-network.konami.net/.

If you do not remember your previous 10-digit ID, a registration staff member on-site should be able to assist in finding your correct ID. Duelists should avoid acquiring new CARD GAME IDs if the previous ID can be found.

If you do not have a CARD GAME ID number, you can get one by registering online at https://cardgame-network.konami.net/.

Duelists are not required to have their actual CARD GAME ID card to participate, though it is encouraged.

Q: Are there any items I am not allowed to bring to the tournament?

Attendees may not bring any items into the tournament venue that are prohibited by law in their area (local, state, or federal). In addition, unlawful items/transactions, weapons of any kind, and substance drugs which may be illegal on a local, state, and/or federal level, are not allowed at Sanctioned/Official events. Attendees who bring any such items to a tournament venue will incur penalties, including Disqualification and removal from the event, and risk suspension from KDE Organized Play.

The use of electronic and/or vapor cigarettes is not permitted on the tournament floor at any Sanctioned/Official events, or in areas designated for tournament attendees.

Q: What if I lost an item at the tournament?

Duelists are responsible for looking after their own belongings at the event. KDE-US, Tournament Organizers, Staff, and Judges bear no responsibility for, and cannot be held liable for, any loss, theft or damage to the person or personal property of any attendee.

The Tournament Organizer is required to keep lost and found items for at least 60 days after the conclusion of the Event. Duelists who lost items should seek the Lost & Found on-site. If the item is not found on-site, Duelists are encouraged to contact the Tournament Organizer within the 60-day period on the chance the lost item has been turned in. Tournament Organizer contact information can be found on the FAQ for the specific YCS event on the website.

It's Time to Remote Duel!

Cards

Accessories

Digital

Duelist Resources

Gameplay

Championship Events

Organized Play & Rankings

Tournaments & Events

News Articles

New Visitors

Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series FAQ’s

Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series FAQ’s

LEARN ABOUT YU-GI-OH!

ORGANIZED PLAY FORMS & POLICIES