2017 US Nationals at ETX

Fantasy Flight Games is excited to announce that the Evergreen Tabletop Expo (ETX) will be organizing and hosting the 2017 National Championships for two of our games—Android: Netrunner and A Games of Thrones: The Card Game—from June 2nd to 4th at the Seattle Center Expo Hall.

ETX is a fantastic gathering of gamers that has been a prominent US location for FFG Regional Championships in previous years. This Seattle, Washington gaming convention will continue to embrace an FFG Organized Play focus with the 2017 US National Championships for Android: Netrunner and A Game of Thrones: The Card Game, plus other events for the rest of our competitive games. Stay tuned for an announcement in the coming weeks with the location of our other games' 2017 US National Championships.

What are the National Championships?

The FFG National Championships are large, prestigious tournaments that reflect and celebrate the communities within and surrounding a nation or group of associated nations. Each host welcomes interested players from around the world to compete on their highest stage, as they climb the Championship pyramid toward the World Championships. Players travel from far and wide to participate and compete for the title of National Champion.

National Championships create a competitive environment for players to showcase their skill while enjoying their favorite game. These events utilize the Premier Tier, the highest level of competition. This tier focuses on supporting competitive play in a fun and fair environment, and is subject to the Product Legality Policy. A Custom Tournament Structure is used at National Championship tournaments, to allow each individual event to adapt to the variety of venues, player enrollment, and community expectations around the world. ETX will organize these tournaments to best accommodate their attendees and convention schedule.

Check out the ETX website for forthcoming details on their Custom Structure for the 2017 US National Championships for Android: Netrunner and A Game of Thrones: The Card Game, plus other side events for all competitive Organized Play games at ETX.

When are the National Championships?

As part of the announcement of our 2017 OP plans last March, we stated that National Championships would no longer have a fixed scheduling window. This comes alongside the division of our games into two different World Championships, dictating divided schedules of Championships which lead up to Worlds.

Accordingly, the 2017 US National Championships for Android: Netrunner and A Game of Thrones: The Card Game have been scheduled to take place together at the Evergreen Tabletop Expo, June 2nd through 4th, while the 2017 US National Championships for our other competitive Organized Play games will be held at a different venue later in the year. Stay tuned for an announcement with these details in the coming weeks.

For international 2017 National Championship locations, keep your eyes on the Organized Play Events page for updates as our participating international partners schedule their events, beginning in April of 2017.

What Prizes Will be Offered at the National Championships?

Exclusive and amazing prizes await participants at a National Championship. Each kit features alternate art cards, playmats, tokens, and more! Prizes will be awarded to those who perform well and place among the top finishers. We will preview images of these tantalizing prizes closer to the start of events in the coming months. Be sure to join our Community newsletter to be the first to know!

National Championships also provide an important connection to the following World Championship for the game. For Android: Netrunner and A Game of Thrones: The Card Game, World Championships are held in early November. Any player that wins a 2017 National Championship for one of these games in August or earlier will receive a first-round bye (an unpaired win for the round) and free entry into that 2017 World Championship in November. If an Android: Netrunner or A Game of Thrones: The Card Game 2017 National Championship is held in September or later, its Champion will receive their bye and free entry into the 2018 World Championship.

For the Android: Netrunner and A Game of Thrones: The Card Game 2017 US National Championships at ETX, FFG will award both champions with a roundtrip flight to the 2017 World Championships in November, along with their bye and free entry. If an ETX winner is unable to attend, this award does not pass down, and it cannot be deferred.

Compete Among Champions

National Championships are open to all interested participants, but some players will get a head start on their way to the top of the standings. Every Regional Championship awards a bye card to its winner, which can be redeemed by that player for a first round bye at a National Championship.

The bye cards awarded at Regional Championships have become more flexible due to the increased flexibility for National Championship scheduling. National Championship tournaments will now accept National Championship bye cards with the current or following year on it.

Android: Netrunner and A Game of Thrones: The Card Game Regional Championships in 2017 will take place from May through August. These events will award a bye card with the 2018 National Championship logo, allowing redemption through the end of 2018.

For other competitive games' Regional Championships taking place from November through February, the awarded bye card bears the logo for the January/February year during that season, which is currently 2017. This ensures that all Regional winners have at least ten months to redeem their bye card.

Accordingly, the bye cards awarded during the May 2017 through August 2017 Regional Championship season for Android: Netrunner and A Game of Thrones: The Card Game will be accepted at either 2017 or 2018 National Championships.

Glory at Evergreen Tabletop Expo

Will you rise to the challenge and lay your claim to the title of US National Champion? Prove that you possess the skill and adaptability to outlast your foes, and you will find yourself with a flight, free entry, and bye at the 2017 World Championship in November for Android: Netrunner or A Game of Thrones: The Card Game! Visit the ETX website to learn more about the trials that stand between you and the coveted spoils of a National Champion, June 2nd through 4th, and keep your eye on the Organized Play webpage for prize announcements in the coming months!