For better or worse, 2026 is still shrouded in a thick, soupy layer of mystery. To date, Wizards has only officially confirmed three sets, only two of which have been given names. As if that wasn’t mysterious enough, Wizards has only revealed one release date to look forward to. This might not sound like a lot, but it’s revealed a surprisingly large amount about the year’s plans.
While nothing is confirmed just yet, it seems that 2026 might have an extra surprise set in store. This might mean we’re getting another Horizons or Masters set, or potentially something even more exciting. Right now, the possibilities are endless, so there’s no end of speculation to be had.
A Welcome Addition
At MagicCon: Las Vegas, Wizards of the Coast finally announced Lorwyn Eclipsed. This set is easily one of, if not the, most anticipated return trips in Magic’s 30-year history. Sadly, we’ve only got a few pieces of art to look at right now, one of which you can see above. Thankfully, alongside this art, Wizards also revealed the set’s release date: January 23rd, 2026.
Notably, Lorwyn Eclipsed will be the first MTG set released in 2026. This marks a major change from previous years. Since 2023, we’ve had a new Remastered set every January without fail. While this isn’t exactly the longest-running change in Magic, it’s definitely notable now that it’s missing.
In theory, having Lorwyn Eclipsed launch as the first set this year means there’s room elsewhere in the year for an extra release. 2025 has shown us there’s technically enough room for this many sets in one year, even if it is especially busy. Technically, Wizards might only release six sets next year to mitigate this busyness, but Hasbro does call the shots.
Thanks to big daddy Hasbro, we’re basically guaranteed to get seven sets next year. After all, if there’s money to be made, Hasbro isn’t going to leave it sitting on the table. We already know we’ll be getting three in-Universe sets, and there should be three Standard-legal Universes Beyond sets too. The seventh set, however, is a complete mystery right now.
Lucky Number Seven
Admittedly, while we’re almost entirely convinced that we’re getting seven sets next year, nothing is set in stone. For all we know, we might not even be getting three Universes Beyond sets; however, that is very much expected. Ultimately, right now, there’s no telling what 2026 will have in store. Still… That’s not going to stop us from speculating.
If we do get an extra seventh set in 2026, a new Horizons or Masters set seems like the most likely option. Both of these sets have a track record of selling exceptionally well, which is always good news for Hasbro. Out of these two options, personally, a Masters set seems slightly more likely, largely due to Universes Beyond cards.
While Mark Rosewater has stated that Universes Within reprints aren’t as desired as expected, people still want reprints. Cards like The One Ring are $63, and a reprint-focused set would be perfect for missing reprints like The Fourteenth Doctor. Outside of these cards, we’ve not had a Masters set since 2023, although Remastered sets have kept reprints flowing.
Alternatively, a Horizons set is a near-guaranteed money earner thanks to their format warping power. For better or worse, each Horizons set has completely upended Modern, with cards also making a splash in Legacy. If you play competitive Magic, these sets and cards are impossible to ignore, which often makes them incredibly expensive.
That said, while we feel these two are potentially the most likely options, they’re hardly the only possibilities. In fact, the only thing we think we won’t be getting is another Un-Set. Sadly for fans of these super wacky sets, Mark Rosewater has made their future look especially bleak after Unfinity.
Endless Options
Technically, there are tons of different types of supplemental sets that could be 2026’s secret seventh release. If we’re especially lucky, we get something like a new Battlebond, Conspiracy, or even Planechase set. That said, chances don’t seem great for any of these options, especially now innovation products are being combined with regular releases.
Outside of these unlikely possibilities, Wizards could have yet another Universes Beyond set up their sleeves. Personally, this feels somewhat unlikely now that UB sets are Standard legal; however, they do make tons of money. If Final Fantasy is anything to go by, Universes Beyond is always going to be Magic’s best-selling product.
Alternatively, Wizards may have simply moved the 2026 remastered set. While these sets haven’t historically been any year’s best release, they’re bound to be valuable for Wizards. At the very least, these sets are often great for players thanks to the themed and high-value reprints they provide.
Ultimately, there’s no telling what we’re going to get in 2026, if anything. As mentioned, there’s a non-zero chance that there is no secret seventh set, as Wizards might just take a break. Even with that in mind, the possibility of getting another major, potentially format-changing, set is hugely exciting. We’ll just have to wait and see what, if anything, gets revealed.
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