Ink and Imagination - Disney Lorcana Challenge Ghent
I was able to spend all three days in the venue, and I’m here to tell you all about Disney Lorcana Challenge Ghent.
Entering The Great Illuminary - Inside Disney Lorcana Challenge Ghent
Just entering the venue, you immediately see just why Disney Lorcana has become the global sensation it is today. I instantly understood why so many players were so excited for this massive three-day event. Ghent already serves as a wonderful backdrop for a massive show, a city rich with history, it’s very own castle, and many sights to see. It blended perfectly with many of Disney’s characters and stories.
The venue itself, Flanders Expo, was decorated head to toe with giant banners, stands, and larger-than-life depictions of some of Disney Lorcana’s most iconic cards and characters. We saw thousands of players from across the globe, from all over Europe, the United States, South America, and even as far as Australia and New Zealand, make their way to Ghent, just for this event. It was clear that the community had grown significantly and passionately.
All across the hall, players were talking to friends they hadn’t seen since Bologna, testing decks and trading cards with their teammates, and showcasing all of their most personal Disney Lorcana Merchandise. Cosplayers roamed the halls, and we saw some of the most amazing costumes and outfits to date. The positive energy was overflowing, and it really felt like a focal point for an ever-growing global community.
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A Contest of Strength and Willpower - The Main Event
One of the highlights of the weekend was the main tournament of Disney Lorcana Ghent. With so many participants, the classic “Day 1” of the tournament instead ran on two days, with two separate tournaments to qualify for Day 2 of the event. 2000 players on Friday, and another 2000 players on Saturday, competed to qualify to play on Sunday and for their chance at making the top cut.
However, when looking at the conversion rates, we see a few standout performances. Amber Emerald led the pack on Friday with a whopping 22%, making it into day two. Amethyst Sapphire comes in second, and one of the favourite combinations, Amethyst Steel, came in only at the 5th most successful deck of the day.
Saturday told a different story, however. The increase in Amber Emerald players meant that Amethyst Steel had a marginally better matchup spread. This resulted in Amethyst Steel shooting up to become the best performing deck of the day with an 18% conversion rate into day 2, with Amber Emerald following closely behind with a 17% conversion rate.
And of course, the standout deck of the entire event had to be Amber Emerald, with both players in the final match piloting the same deck, with some slight variations between them. Zan Syed and Davide Restivo both played the “Chroma Dogs” deck archetype, focusing heavily on Lady and Tramp, filling the board, and gaining tempo advantage with cards like Emerald Chromicon. At the end of an intense 5-game match, we finally crowned our champion. A huge congratulations to Zan Syed on winning the Disney Lorcana Challenge Ghent!
A Format Without Limits - Infinity Constructed
Alongside the Main Event, there were plenty of Side Events and Activities you could engage in. One of the largest events to take place over the weekend was the 7-round Infinity Constructed event. Every day of the three-day event saw the Infinity Constructed event launch to great success. On Saturday alone, nearly 400 players were trying out their own creations.
For many players, these events felt like a playground for creativity. Without rotation restrictions, people could experiment with strategies that had not been seen in months. We saw decks that were entirely made from cards pre-rotation, decks made from cards exclusively in rotation, and everything in between. As we gear up for Disney Lorcana Challenge Dortmund, we look forward to exploring all the possibilities that Infinity offers
Treasures and Rewards - The Prize Wall
If there was one place in the venue that never seemed empty, it was the prize wall. Players earned prize tickets by participating in tournaments and side events throughout the weekend. Those tickets could be exchanged for a wide range of rewards. Promo cards and playmats quickly became the most sought-after items.
Other prizes included oversized display cards, collectable pins, and event-themed merchandise. There were all sorts of goodies, from small souvenirs to rare collector pieces. We saw people in line doing calculations on what exactly they could get, and at times it seemed like we were at a fair or a festival, and everyone was in line to get their big prizes.
The Original Masters of Ink - The Artists Behind The Scenes
One of the most memorable parts of the event was the chance to meet the artists who illustrate the cards. Several Lorcana artists attended the event and spent time meeting fans. Players brought their favourite cards to be signed, sometimes entire decks filled with beloved characters. Others simply stopped by to thank the artists for their work.
Listening to those conversations was fascinating. The artists spoke about how they approached designing characters and how they balanced Disney’s classic style with the unique look of Lorcana. It was a reminder that every card on the table started as someone’s artwork.
The Story Continues
More than anything else, the weekend was about the community. Walking through the hall, I heard conversations in multiple languages as players shared stories from their matches. Some people were meeting friends in person for the first time after playing online for months. Others were introducing new players to the game.
As the weekend slowly came to an end, the hall at Flanders Expo began to change. The intense focus of the final rounds faded into something quieter. Players packed away their decks, traded a few last cards, and took photos with friends before heading home.
What stayed with me most was how alive the event felt. From the tense moments of the main tournament to the creative decks in the Infinity format events, every part of the weekend had its own energy. Competitive players, collectors, artists, and casual fans all came together to experience the game in their own way.
I had such an amazing time over the weekend, I’m already looking forward to Disney Lorcana Challenge Dortmund. Already in Ghent I could see just how for Disney Lorcana has come, and Dortmund feels like the next step in an already fantastical and growing story. The excitement is far from over, and I can’t wait to see you all in Dortmund.
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