GRAND PRIX BEIJING 2015

Entry into the Grand Prix event venue is free of charge.

Main Event Registration Fee: US$180 per team
Main Event Maximum Capacity: 1,200 Players (400 teams)
Registration online until October 23 (extra fees might apply for those pre-register online on October 22 and 23)
Registration will be held on-site Friday, October 23, exact time TBD
There will be no on-site registration on Saturday.

Many Grand Prix offer additional services to participants, such as Sleep-In Specials and VIP packages. Sleep-In Specials allow players with byes to skip the player meeting on Saturday and arrive shortly before their first round begins. VIP packages provide various perks such as complimentary bottled water, special seating, and exclusive artist signings. Details of these services vary from event to event; please check the organizer's web site for specifics. 

The format for Grand Prix Beijing is Team Limited. For more information on the format and schedule, click here.

There are no byes for Team Limited events. 

Along with the main event, there are additional side-event tournaments to play in at a Grand Prix. Side events are offered at all Grand Prix on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. For details on side events that you can find at every Grand Prix, click here.

A list of additional events and a full schedule for when side events take place can be found on the Grand Prix Beijing website. All side events (except casual events) will have a Planeswalker Points multiplier of 3x.

Some of the hottest and most famous artists in Magic will be joining us at Grand Prix Beijing. All artists will be available to sign cards, playmats, and more. In addition, all will be selling prints, artist proofs, original art/sketches, and doing custom alterations of mats and cards!

Artists scheduled to appear at Grand Prix Beijing include Clint Cearley and Igor Kieryluk. For more information on these artists, click here

Citizens of many countries are required to procure a visa before traveling to China. Please refer to your local Chinese embassy or consulate before planning your trip.

Airport Information: Beijing Captial International Airport (PEK) is the main international airport serving Beijing. You may take the Beijing Subway Airport Express Line, any of the airport buses or taxi to downtown from the airport.

More information on traveling between the downtown and the airport can be found at http://en.bcia.com.cn/traffic/airbus/index.shtml

Driving Directions to Venue: The Gymnasium is located in the University’s Campus on North 4th Ring Road near ZHIXING Bridge. You may either drive northward from ZHIXING Bridge and enter the campus at the University’s east gate or drive westward from the Bridge and enter the campus at the University’s south gate.

Public Transportation Information: 

By Subway: 
Beijing’s subway lines have connections all over the city, with stops at or nearby the main attractions and commercial areas. You may transfer between lines easily. The subway will provide you with fast and comfortable service except during rush hours.

Subway Line 10 may take you straight to University Science and Technology Beijing. Get off the train at XITUCHENG Station. Exit the station from Exit B and walk north for about 10 minutes. The University is on your right-hand side after crossing the North 4th Ring Road.

By Bus: 
Take bus Nos. 86, 307, 484, 617, 630, 690 or 928 and get off at University Science and Technology Beijing stop.

• Online registration until October 23 (extra fees might apply for those pre-register online on October 22 and 23)
• On-site registration on October 23, exact time TBD
• Saturday, October 24: Grand Prix Beijing begins at 9:00 a.m.
• Sunday, October 25: Day Two begins at 9:00 a.m.

Registration for the Grand Prix main event closes Friday night. There will be no Saturday registration.

The main tournament at Grand Prix Beijing is open to Magic players of all ages.

Players must have a signed waiver and consent form to compete at Grand Prix Beijing. Forms can be downloaded here and will be available on-site. Minors must have a parent of guardian’s signature on these forms. Minors will not be able to register or play unless we receive a waiver signed by a parent or guardian. No exceptions. 

Players should review the Magic Tournament Rules for the rules specific to Team Tournaments, paying particular attention to the following sections:

• Section 7.7 – Booster Draft Procedure
• Section 8.2 – Team Composition and Identification
• Section 8.3 – Team Communication

Day One: Team Sealed Deck (12 Battle for Zendikar boosters)

• 20 minutes for sealed deck pool registration and deck swap
• 60 minutes for deck building
• Decklists are required
• Deck registration and deck swap will be performed for the Swiss Sealed Deck.

Day Two: Team Sealed Deck (12 Battle for Zendikar boosters)

• 60 minutes for deck building
• Decklists are required

Top 4: Team Booster Draft (3 Battle for Zendikar boosters)

• Team members draft at the same draft table with one opposing team (6 total players per draft table). Team members will be seated at the draft table in exactly the following order:
  • Team 1, Player A
  • Team 2, Player C
  • Team 1, Player B
  • Team 2, Player A
  • Team 1, Player C
  • Team 2, Player B
• No communication (verbal or non-verbal) is permitted between team members during the draft.
• After the draft, team members will be located to separate tables to record their draft pools (15 minutes for draft pool registration and verification). After draft pool registration, team members will sit together for deck building (30 minutes for deck building).
• Each team member will play the opposing team member with the same player designation (A, B, or C).
• After the semifinals, the Top 2 teams will draft again using the procedure described above.
• Decklists are required

• Modified Swiss-style (50-minute rounds).
• Day One will consist of 9 Swiss rounds. Day Two will consist of 5 Swiss rounds and the Top 4 single-elimination playoff.
• All teams with an X-2-0 record (or better) or the top 40 teams – whichever is greater – advance to the second day of competition for prizes and invitations.
• The Top 4 teams after the final Swiss round on Day Two will advance to the Top 8 single-elimination playoff.
• Top 4 playoff matches will be best 2 of 3 per individual match, with no time limit. (Players are still expected to play at a normal pace and complete playoff matches in a reasonable amount of time.)
• Each team member will be randomly paired against an opposing team member. Only 1 round will be played in the semi-finals and finals.
• Standings after the Swiss rounds will be used to determine final order in the standings for losing players in the quarterfinal and semifinal playoff rounds.
• For the first game of each match in the playoff, the players on the team that finished higher in the Swiss rounds chooses either to play first or to play second. For subsequent games in each Top 4 playoff match, the usual Play/Draw rule applies (loser of the previous game decides whether to play first in the next game).

Judges

Judges interested in applying for the event should do so using the Judge Center.

Notes

• Planeswalker Points multiplier 8x, Rules Enforcement Level (REL) is Competitive on Day One and Professional on Day Two.
• The Magic: The Gathering Tournament Rules and the Magic: The Gathering Infraction Procedure Guide are in effect for this event unless specifically overruled by information in this Format Document. Rules documents can be found in the Magic Document Center.
• Players are responsible for bringing their own method of tracking life totals, card sleeves, and appropriate counters or tokens.
• In the event that a player who wins an invitation to a Pro Tour stop at a Grand Prix has already qualified for an invitation, the invitation does not pass down under any circumstances. Previous qualification may be through a Qualifier tournament, through performance at a professional tournament, or by being an invited DCI player (valid upon the date of the official rank announcement for the appropriate professional tournament).

"Foiled Again"
A straight Swiss tournament lasting three or four rounds. Participants get one past promo card for playing, then one additional promo card per match win. Format varies by event.

Value Drafts
Enjoy a special discount on pick-up drafts on Saturday. Actual times and prices vary by event.

"Rebound" Event
Format at organizer's discretion. The winner(s) earn free entry into the "Super Sunday Series" (see Sunday Side Events). Players who also played in the main Grand Prix tournament will get a discount for entry.

Super Sunday Series
Qualifier tournaments for the Super Sunday Series will be held at each Grand Prix. The Top 8 players in the Super Sunday Series qualifier will each be awarded a commemorative Grand Prix water bottle. The winner of the Super Sunday Series qualifier will earn an invitation and travel award for the Super Sunday Series Championship 2016, expected to be held in January 2016 in Seattle. The Super Sunday Series Championship experience also includes a tour of Wizards of the Coast, dinner with Wizards employees, and more.