π£ OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
The Never Bored Invitational β 2026 Season
A Competitive Commander Championship Circuit
Competitive Commander players in Iowa β and beyond β this is your circuit.
Never Bored Games is proud to launch the Never Bored Invitational β 2026 Season, a fully structured, judge-supported, proxy-friendly Competitive Commander championship built to raise the bar for cEDH in the region.
This isnβt a one-off tournament.
This isnβt a traveling qualifier for somewhere else.
This is a local annual championship arc β culminating in a cinematic Saturday Invitational Final this November.
Structured.
Professional.
Consistent.
If youβve been waiting for a serious competitive Commander circuit in Central Iowa β this is it.
π
2026 NEVER BORED INVITATIONAL CALENDAR
π Sunday Qualifiers (1:00 PM β 7:00 PM)
β’ Qualifier #1 β April 12
β’ Qualifier #2 β May 24
β’ Qualifier #3 β June 14
β’ Qualifier #4 β July 19
β’ Qualifier #5 β August 16
β’ Qualifier #6 β September 13
π Last Chance Qualifier (Sunday β 1:00 PM)
β’ October 11
β Invitational Final (Saturday β 4:00 PM)
β’ November 14, 2026
π§ HOW IT WORKS
Format: Competitive Commander (proxy-friendly)
Decks: Decklists must be submitted when registering, and any changes reported before the event begins
Players: Capped at 24 per Qualifier
Rules Enforcement: Competitive REL
Rounds: 75-minute Swiss rounds
Qualifiers and LCQ will cut to a Top 4 Championship pod.
The Invitational Final will feature 8 qualified players, 3 Swiss rounds, and a Top 4 Championship pod.
π QUALIFICATION PATH
The 8 players in the Invitational Final will be determined by:
π 6 Qualifier Winners
π 1 Last Chance Qualifier Winner
π 1 Store Invite
If a previously qualified player wins another Qualifier, the invite passes to the next highest finisher from that event.
No points. No standings.
Win a Qualifier β youβre in.
π― ENTRY
Qualifier & LCQ Entry: $30
β’ A portion of each entry contributes to the Invitational Prize Pool
β’ Final prize pool details will be announced before the Championship
Judge-supported.
Decklists required.
Proxy-friendly policy enforced.
π IMPORTANT
β’ Hard cap of 24 players per Qualifier
β’ Preregistration strongly encouraged
β’ All season dates are locked
β’ Competitive REL for all events
πΉ THE SEASON BEGINS
Sunday, April 12 at 1:00 PM.
This is the first chapter of what will become an annual competitive tradition at Never Bored Games.
If you want to compete at the highest level β
If you want your name engraved on the Invitational trophy β
If you want to help shape the future of competitive Commander in Iowa β
Weβll see you in April.
Elevate Your Game.
β Never Bored Games
π NEVER BORED INVITATIONAL
Official Proxy Policy β 2026 Season
The Never Bored Invitational β 2026 Season is a proxy-friendly Competitive Commander circuit.
We believe competitive play should be defined by skill, preparation, and decision-making β not by card availability.
To ensure fairness and clarity, the following proxy rules apply to all Qualifiers, the Last Chance Qualifier, and the Invitational Final:
β
Proxies Are Fully Permitted
There is no limit to the number of proxies allowed in a deck.
π Proxy Requirements
All proxies must:
β’ Clearly display the full card name
β’ Be easily legible across the table
β’ Be indistinguishable in thickness and feel once sleeved
β’ Not contain offensive, inappropriate, or misleading content
Proxies must accurately match the submitted decklist.
π§Ύ Decklists Are Binding
β’ Full decklists must be submitted at registration
β’ Any changes must be reported before the event begins
β’ Proxies used must match the submitted list exactly
Failure to comply may result in penalties under Competitive REL guidelines.
β Judge Authority
The Head Judge reserves the right to:
β’ Reject unclear or misleading proxies
β’ Require replacement of illegible proxies
β’ Enforce all Competitive REL standards
Judge decisions are final.
π― Why Proxy-Friendly?
Competitive Commander thrives on access, innovation, and testing at the highest level.
The Never Bored Invitational is designed to:
β’ Remove financial barriers
β’ Encourage competitive growth
β’ Foster a healthy and inclusive competitive environment
Skill determines results β not card scarcity.
The 2026 Season begins April 12.
Sharpen your lists.
Submit your deck.
Compete at the highest level.