How to Run and Submit Events in Wizards EventLink
Running Magic: The Gathering events through Wizards EventLink gives WPN retailers powerful tools to create smooth, efficient, and player-friendly experiences. Whether you’re hosting a Friday Night Magic tournament, a Commander casual night, or a high-stakes Store Championship, EventLink helps streamline everything from player check-in to final results reporting.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to confidently run and submit WPN events using EventLink, including how to manage players, handle results, use the Magic Companion App, and ensure your events count toward WPN metrics. This walkthrough is designed for both new and experienced retailers and will help you take full advantage of everything EventLink has to offer.
Before You Begin: Confirm Your Event Is Scheduled
Before you can run an event, it must be scheduled in EventLink. If you haven’t already created your event, head over to EventLink.Wizards.com and follow our Event Creation Guide. Once the event is scheduled, you’re ready to begin managing it.
You can access your scheduled event by logging into EventLink and selecting it from the calendar view or the “Upcoming Events” agenda panel on the right side of the screen.
Starting Your Event in EventLink
To begin your event, click on the event from the calendar or agenda panel. You’ll be taken to the Active Event View, where all player registration, pairings, and match reporting will take place.
At the top of the screen, you’ll see your event’s title, status, and format. Below that are three key tabs:
- Players – View and manage enrolled players
- Rounds – Manage pairings and results
- Standings – See current rankings and final outcomes
When you’re ready to begin enrolling players, move to the Players tab.
Enrolling Players: Manual and Companion App Options
There are two main ways to enroll players into your event:
Option 1: Manual Enrollment (Using Wizards Account Email)
You can manually add players by entering the email address associated with their Wizards Account in the enrollment field. EventLink will validate the account and add the player to the event.
- Enter the email address
- Press Enter or click the + icon
- Repeat for each player
Encourage all players to use the same email they used to create their Wizards Account to avoid enrollment issues.
Option 2: Companion App Check-In (Recommended)
Each event in EventLink is assigned a unique event code (e.g., “ABC123”). Players can open the Magic: The Gathering Companion App on their mobile devices and enter this code to join the event automatically.
Once players join using the app, they’ll appear in your EventLink Players tab automatically.
Display the event code in your store (on a whiteboard, screen, or poster). Announce it before the event to speed up registration.
Managing Your Event in Real Time
Starting the Event
Once all players are enrolled, click “Start Event”. This will initiate the first round (for Swiss events) or mark your player list as finalized (for Player List Only events).
If it’s a draft event, you’ll be prompted to seat players into pods and start the drafting timer. Once drafting ends, you can proceed to pair rounds.
Pairings and Match Results
Swiss Events
EventLink will automatically generate Swiss pairings based on your player list.
- Pairings will display in EventLink and push to players via the Companion App
- You can also display pairings on EventLink Mirror if connected to an external screen
Player List Only Events
These are open-play events without rounds. Simply enroll players, let them play casually, and submit the event once complete.
Reporting Results
There are two ways to report match results:
Option 1: Player Self-Reporting via Companion App
Players can report match results themselves using the Companion App. Once a match concludes, they select the winner (or draw) and submit it.
Option 2: Manual Reporting in EventLink
As the organizer, you can also manually enter results in EventLink under the Rounds tab. Simply click on the match, select the outcome, and save.
Mid-Event Management: Dropping Players, Late Joins, and More
Dropping a Player
If a player needs to leave mid-event, you can drop them from the event:
- Go to the Players tab
- Click the three-dot icon (•••) next to their name
- Select Drop Player
The player will be removed from future rounds, and standings will adjust automatically.
Adding Players Late
You can add late joiners during Round 1. After Round 1 begins, EventLink will lock pairings. Any new players will be seated for Round 2. This works best in casual events or leagues where late entry is acceptable.
Ending and Submitting Your Event
Once the event’s final round is completed, and all results are reported:
- Review the final Standings tab (optional)
- Click the “End Event” button
- Confirm submission
EventLink will automatically submit the event to Wizards of the Coast. All player entries and match data will be saved and count toward your WPN metrics.
If you don’t manually end an event, it will auto-submit after a few days.
Draft Pod and Team Format Notes
If your event uses a special format like Booster Draft or Two-Headed Giant:
- Booster Drafts: You’ll assign players to draft pods before Round 1. EventLink will manage draft seating and post-draft pairings.
- Two-Headed Giant: EventLink supports team formats. Enroll players in teams (you’ll be prompted during setup), and it will pair teams accordingly.
Communicate these special format setups in advance in your event listing and in-store signage.
Scorekeeping Best Practices
- Always confirm each player’s identity (especially if using shared devices or store-provided accounts)
- Encourage use of the Companion App for faster results reporting
- Use EventLink Mirror for larger events to project pairings
- Backup results manually on paper in case of device issues
- Start on time and keep rounds on schedule for a smooth experience
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Wizards EventLink empowers you to run events that are fast, fair, and fun for players. With features like Companion App integration, automatic pairings, and real-time reporting, your store can deliver a professional event experience with less stress and more community engagement.
If you haven’t tried the full Companion integration yet, your next event is a great place to start. It improves player autonomy, reduces judge workload, and enhances the experience from registration to final standings.
Additional Resources
- Wizards EventLink
- How to Create Events in EventLink
- Add Staff & Permissions Guide
- Contact WPN Retail Support