We are opening up applications to run events during the 2027 Organized Play season! This includes District Championships, Megacity Championships and the three in-person Continental Championships.
After receiving feedback on last year’s application process we’re making the following change:
For 2027 we are no longer asking District and Megacity Championship Tournament Organizers to limit themselves to a maximum of one exclusive participation prize per event. We do want to reiterate that while providing exclusive or additional prizing is now allowed, it is not a requirement for TOs to find and procure additional prizing. We do not mandate additional prizing, and additional prizing is not a component of application evaluation.
Applications close Wednesday, October 21st at midnight EST. You will be able to revise your application up to that date. We are aiming to process applications and respond to everyone by Friday, December 4th, to ensure TOs have adequate time to plan their events. It is better to send us an incomplete application than a late application, though we will be assessing applications in part on completeness. If you miss the deadline, the form will still be open, but applications completed before the 21st will take precedence when considering bids. Full assessment criteria can be found in the application form:
Balance Updates
As in 2026, there will be a Standard Balance Update scheduled to be legal for the start of each stage in the 2027 competitive season. All Competitive tier events must be run in accordance with the most recent active balance update. We expect event specific balance updates in these months:
- January – District Championships Balance Update
- April – Megacity Championships Balance Update
- July – Continental Championships Balance Update
- September – World Championships Balance Update
District Championships
Districts are the first step on the competitive ladder of the Organized Play season. Typically run as one-day events that are easy to travel to, they are a proving ground for new players and a good test of skill for more experienced participants.
The 2027 District Championships season is between 1st February and 30th April.
The District Championship kit will cost $65 USD and include similar prizing as previous years. These prices include free worldwide shipping.
Megacity Championships
Megacities are a step up from Districts, bringing together separate communities across a greater geographical area to fight it out for the title of Megacity Champion.
These events will be more restricted based on geographical location, attempting to link together communities within 3-4 hours of travel time. The Megacity Championships season is between 1st May and 31st July.
The Megacity Championship kit will cost $120 USD and include similar prizing as previous years. These prices include free worldwide shipping.
Continental Championships
Each Continental Championship is the culmination of an entire region’s competitive season.
We are taking applications for in-person Continental Championships in the following three regions:
Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)
The Americas
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
The NSG Organized Play team is committed to sponsoring all the Continental Championships under the following terms:
- Each event will be provided with a Prize kit similar to previous Continental Championship Kits.
- Each event needs to take place during August or the first half of September (see the exact dates below)
- We will provide each selected TO with $1500 USD to help cover the costs of the event.
- Listings on AlwaysBeRunning.net must be posted with a suffix of “Sponsored by Null Signal Games” and mention the sponsorship in the description for the listing.
- All provided marketing materials should be displayed in prominent locations.
- The event will be streamed on the official Null Signal Games channels.
- We will work with TOs to provide useful materials, such as streaming assets.
- Null Signal Games branding should be affixed to all digital media, social media and streaming related to the event.
In 2027, the Continental Championships season runs between 1st August and 13th September.
Event Restrictions
ALL events mentioned here must be run in the Standard format and with the most recent active banlist for the date of the event.
The 2027 District, Megacity, and Continental Championships are Competitive tier events for the purposes of the Organized Play Policies. This means you are expected to follow the given prize structure and tournament structure for Competitive tier events outlined in the policies. You are also expected to advertise your event on AlwaysBeRunning.net.
All Competitive tier events must follow the Null Signal Games code of conduct.
Purchase of these kits comes with an obligation to run a suitable event. Buying a kit to either keep for yourself or to resell undermines the spirit of these competitions and the legitimacy of the prizes which other players had to enter and place in a tournament to win. Excepting extenuating circumstances, not using your kit to run a tournament may lead to you being barred from purchasing non-GNK kits in the future.
