September 20 – 21, 2024
Kendall Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts
WHAT IS THIS?
This is a community-organized Magic: The Gathering weekend in Greater Boston, featuring main events for the Old School 93/94 and Premodern formats. Since 2018, LOBSTERCON has been New England Old School’s marquee event, continuing as an annual charity fundraiser for Room to Grow, a non-profit organization based in Boston.
An entry fee of $90 for all players will cover registration in any and all of the weekend’s events: the Premodern MAIN EVENT (Friday, September 20), the Old School MAIN EVENT (Saturday, September 21), the X-Point Old School American Open (Friday, September 20), and the Premodern OFF-SITE EVENT (Saturday, September 21). All events will take place within a 10-15 minute walk from the main venue, with cash bars on-site and easy access to a wide range of carry-in food options in Cambridge.
Registration for all LOBSTERCON 2024 events has ended as of 11:00am Eastern on April 29, 2024.
THE EVENTS
North American Premodern Championship hosted by The Premodcast
Friday, September 20, 10:30am – 9pm. One of the world’s largest Premodern Magic events returns for enthusiasts of cards from ’95 to ’03. Premodern deck construction rules as outlined at www.premodernmagic.com, with gold-bordered (WC, CE/IE) cards legal along with other reprints, no proxies; tournament structure will be Swiss pairings followed by a cut to Top 8. Registration will be capped at 256 players and there will be no waitlist or other accommodations after registration closes.
X-Point Old School American Open (Off-Site)
Friday, September 20, 10:30am – 7pm. For the dedicated Old School crowd on Friday: an opportunity to jam this popular and accessible 93/94 variant. Deck construction rules at the X-Point Old School website. Tournament structure most likely straight Swiss (6-7 rounds); registration will be capped at 80 players.
Friday Night Free Play
Friday, September 20, 7pm – 11:30pm. Casual / free play time for OS, PM, cube drafts, ante shenanigans, and any number of other side formats. Dedicated bartenders and cash bar. Meet up with old friends and make some new ones. Open to all players in town for the event; must be a registered player to enter the venue.
Old School Main Event hosted by New England Old School
Saturday, September 21, 10:30am – 9pm. The seventh-annual edition of our seafood-driven Old School charity tournament. The format for the main event will be Atlantic 93/94, no proxies allowed, typical EC/American reprint allowances as with past LOBSTERCON events. There might even be an actual Top 8 this year. Deck photos will be required, to be submitted before the first round of the main event. Registration will be capped at 256 players and there will be no waitlist or other accommodations after registration closes.
Premodern Off-Site Event hosted by The Duress Crew [SOLD OUT]
Saturday, September 21, 10:30am – 8pm. For the dedicated Premodern crowd on Saturday: a second-chance tournament in our trendy new off-site venue! Tournament structure will be Swiss or Swiss-minus-One (6 rounds) plus Top 8; registration will be capped at 80 players. Lobster roll delivery to the off-site venue will be arranged. [This event is sold out as of 4/28/24.]
THE FOOD SITUATION
Lobster rolls will once again be available from Kelly’s Roast Beef on Saturday (both venues), with pre-orders opening up about 10 days before the event. We’re also planning on running back the Friday night pizza order, no additional charge to paid registrants. Otherwise, the events will be “bring your own food,” with lists of take-out suggestions to be provided. Dedicated bartenders and cash bar will be open inside both venues throughout the weekend.
SPECIAL GUESTS: ARTISTS AND ALTERISTS
We’ll be joined by some early Magic artists at LOBSTERCON 2024! The following artists will be with us in Boston, offering sigs and alters, selling their merch, sharing stories, and otherwise enjoying the weekend with our community. PLEASE NOTE that due to capacity constraints in the venue, only registered and paid attendees will be allowed in the event hall.
VENDORS
LOBSTERCON will also have a few top-notch vendors on-site — check back for our full line-up closer to the event. PLEASE NOTE that due to capacity constraints in the venue, only registered and paid attendees will be allowed in the event hall.
A wide range of Old School and Premodern staples and playables will be available for purchase and trade throughout the weekend’s activities (Friday and Saturday).
TRAVEL LOGISTICS
Best airport to fly into is Boston Logan Airport (BOS). New for 2024: we have an official room block at the Boston Marriott Cambridge at a base rate of $285 / night (excluding taxes and fees) available on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage booking as soon as possible, as the block will almost certainly sell out, and the hotel will re-claim any unbooked rooms well in advance of the event.
When the Boston Marriott Cambridge block rooms sell out, the closest option to all of the action will be the Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Cambridge. A few more recommended options, further from the action, are as follows: Holiday Inn Boston Bunker Hill, Hotel 1868 in Porter Sq, AC Hotel by Marriott Boston Cambridge, and the Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Watertown and the Hampton Inn & Suites Watertown Boston.
The tournament venue is in Kendall Square, which is served by the MBTA Red Line, providing easy accessibility from other points in/around Boston, including Alewife Station parking garage and South Station. There will also be all-day off-street parking available at the One Kendall Square Garage — but PLEASE NOTE that there is no longer a discounted rate for this garage for LOBSTERCON attendees.
REGISTRATION FORM
Registration for all LOBSTERCON 2024 events has ended as of 11:00am Eastern on April 29, 2024. All players listed in the spreadsheet below who have submitted their entry fees are confirmed as registered.
WHO ALL IS GOING?
The Sentinel 