Pre-register Here

Sports and Redemption… To the naked eye, there’s not a lot in common between the two. However, if you look close enough, you will find a great deal of similarities. Perhaps the greatest among those similarities is the layout of the season that culminates in one final event marking the end of the season and crowning a champion. Baseball has The Fall Classic in the waning days of October and on into November to crown each season’s champion. In February each year, the greatest spectacle in all of sports (The Super Bowl) occurs to cement legacies and define greatness for the NFL’s best. While Redemption does not have the fanfare of professional sports, we still hold a certain reverence for our crown jewel--the annual National Tournament, often referred to endearingly as simply “Nationals” or “Nats” and generally hosted in late July or early August. While information on this year’s National tournament has been scarce since the location was first revealed four months ago, we are pleased to share more details and information with you today!

Previously, we shared that the tournament will be held at Wilmore Free Methodist Church in Wilmore, KY on July 23rd-25th. What we didn’t share at the time is that the host of the tournament will be none other than the incomparable “Booster” Jones, also known to the Internal Revenue Service as Brian Jones. Most of you probably put that together already based on the location, or maybe heard him mention it at one point or another, but we can confirm. Additionally, in his official capacity as host, Brian is representing Oakdale Christian Academy, the school where he and his wife work, and where Brian has hosted the largest tournament outside of Nationals each of the last 3 years. Any additional proceeds over the cost to run the tournament will go directly towards their scholarship funds. To learn more about Oakdale, click here.

Part of planning to host an incredible event such as Nationals is putting together a support team to help with the responsibilities and duties that come with the honor. Brian’s hosting team consists of Stephen Coates (another representative of Oakdale), Jayden Alstad, and John Hendrix. This group of individuals have a wide array of unique skills and will be a vital part of making this the best Nationals yet!

Now, if you have never been to Nationals, this three-day event features all official categories of play that are open to all who wish to join. Unlike other card games, there are no qualifying events or merits that one must earn to register and play at Nationals. Everyone is welcome to throw their hat in the ring and play. In addition to the official gameplay, there are always casual games happening and even some unique side events. Even if you are not the most avid player of the game, the hands down best part of Nationals is getting to meet players from across the country and hang out with ones you haven’t seen since the last Nationals. The camaraderie among our gaming community is second to none. In addition to all those great things that we have come to love about Nats, this year we are taking it a step further and came up with unique and fresh ways to interact with the game and the dedicated community of players.

WHEN? July 23rd through July 25th, 2026

WHERE? Wilmore Free Methodist Church 1200 Lexington Rd. Wilmore, KY 40390

REGISTER HERE! Players who register by June 1st will receive a custom name tag.

OFFICIAL EVENTS:

  • Players may participate in one of the two official events offered on each day of the tournament (see Schedule below).
  • The number of rounds played in each event will be determined based on the number of players registered for the event and announced prior to the beginning of the event.
  • All official events will use only “Rotation” legal cards, which includes the I/J Starter Decks and all cards printed after them. Cards with a scroll as the scripture reference box may not be used.
  • Players may only check in and use ONE deck per event. 
  • To eliminate distractions and prevent unfair play or accusations thereof, tournament policy prohibits the use or display of electronic devices (including headsets and smartwatches) at the event tables. Please contact the host/judges at the tournament if you have any concerns with this policy.

UNOFFICIAL EVENTS:

Iron Man Side Event by YTG

We’re thrilled to announce the details of the Iron Man side event at Nationals 2026! 🥳 🎉 🎈And we think it’s better than ever before!

  • It’s easier than ever to participate – any game against another Iron Man competitor counts for the contest, whether it's played during the National tournament (in an official event, or in Paragon), or during pickup games anytime after signing up and before the Iron Man contest ends!
  • The prizes are better than ever – we’ve got YTG gift cards for up to the top 7 places, as much as $125 (depending on the number of participants)! The more players who play, the better the prizes!
  • The signup rewards alone are worth it – you’ll receive a FREE booster pack of your choice, plus a 10% coupon off your next Your Turn Games purchase as soon as you complete your registration!

We want to make this the biggest Iron Man event ever! Sign up now, and invite your friends! 😁

https://forms.gle/LamDfpjohB5T4Biu7

Paragon Side Event

7:30pm (exact time is tentative) - “Paragon Multiplayer” side event organized by Kurt Hake. Paragon is a fan-made, unofficial category designed to be a more casual, accessible format for 2-5 players.

  • Sign up here to join this side event for free.
  • Pre-built decks are available from Your Turn Games, or you can build your own.
  • Depending on the number of participants, each game will have either 3 or 4 players.
  • The plan is to play two rounds, but we reserve the right to change this if the start time ends up very different than expected.
  • All players who complete the first round will receive a free Paragon Intro Pack (containing a complete Soul Deck and 14 Paragons).
  • The second round is optional, but there are exclusive playmat prizes for the top three finishers who play both rounds.

SCHEDULE:

  • Wednesday, July 22nd:
    • 6:00pm - Venue doors open for players to begin arriving, and getting registered/checked in and acquainted with lodging areas if staying overnight at the church.
    • 7:00pm - Worship service at the venue to begin the weekend with a time of worship and a brief message for those who would like to join.
    • 8:00pm - Elder Address: join us for a unique address from members of the elders team! Details of the exact format to come! Following the Elder Address, the 2026 Redemption Nationals Fantasy Draft will take place live at the venue. For more information on the Fantasy Draft, check out this video introducing last year’s draft as well as the live coverage of the 2025 Redemption Nationals Fantasy Draft. More information on this year’s draft to come!
  • Thursday, July 23rd:
    • 7:00am - Doors open.
    • 8:00am - Check-in for the day's events:
      • Booster Draft 2-Player ($35)
        • Seven Packs: Gospel of Christ x3, Israel's Inheritance x2, Times to Come x2
        • Players are required to provide their own fully opaque sleeves and meek Lost Souls at the beginning of the event.
        • Drafting will be done in pods of 3 or 4 players with 20 seconds to draft per card and 30 seconds in between each pack. Pack order is TBD. Players will then have 10 minutes to construct their deck after drafting is completed.
      • Type 2 2-Player ($10)
        • Deck lists and Reserve lists are required for this event. Printable versions can be found toward the bottom of this page and filled out. Blank decklists will be available at the venue on Wednesday night. Deck lists can also be printed from the Land of Redemption Deck Builder tool. Optional digital decklist submission is TBD.
    • 9:00am - Play begins
    • 12:00/1:00pm - 30-minute lunch break
      • Time is subject to change based on the Round timing of each category.
    • 6:00pm - Day 1 Award Ceremony
    • 7:30pm (exact time is tentative) - “Paragon Multiplayer” side event organized by Kurt Hake. Paragon is a fan-made, unofficial category designed to be a more casual, accessible format for 2-5 players.
      • Sign up here to join this side event for free.
      • Pre-built decks are available from Your Turn Games, or you can build your own.
      • Depending on the number of participants, each game will have either 3 or 4 players.
      • The plan is to play two rounds, but we reserve the right to change this if the start time ends up very different than expected.
      • All players who complete the first round will receive a free Paragon Intro Pack (containing a complete Soul Deck and 14 Paragons).
      • The second round is optional, but there are exclusive playmat prizes for the top three finishers who play both rounds.
  • Friday, July 24th:
    • 7:00am - Doors open.
    • 8:00am - Check-in begins for the day's events:
      • Type 1 2-Player ($10)
        • Deck lists and Reserve lists are required for this event. Printable versions can be found toward the bottom of this page and filled out. Blank decklists will be available at the venue on Wednesday night. Deck lists can also be printed from the Land of Redemption Deck Builder tool. Optional digital decklist submission is TBD.
      • Type A 2-Player ($10)
        • Players in this event must be under 13 years of age.
        • Deck lists and Reserve lists are required for this event. Printable versions can be found toward the bottom of this page and filled out. Blank decklists will be available at the venue on Wednesday night. Deck lists can also be printed from the Land of Redemption Deck Builder tool. Optional digital decklist submission is TBD.
    • 9:00am - Play begins
    • 12:00/1:00pm - 30-minute lunch break
      • Time is subject to change based on the Round timing of each category.
    • 6:00pm - Day 2 Awards Ceremony
  • Saturday, July 25th:
    • 7:00am - Doors open
    • 8:00am - Check-in begins for the day's events:
      • Sealed Deck 2-Player ($25)
        • Each player will receive one Israel's Deliverance (K or L) Starter Deck and 3 packs: Israel's Rebellion, Israel's Inheritance, and Times to Come (one of each).
        • Players will be given 15 minutes to open their materials, trade with their opponent, and construct their deck.
      • Type 1 Teams ($10 per player)
        • This event requires two players to register as a team and includes special deck building rules. If you would like to participate but do not have a partner, feel free to put your name on this list or reach out to someone already on it.
        • Deck lists and Reserve lists are required for this event. Printable versions can be found toward the bottom of this page and filled out. Blank decklists will be available at the venue on Wednesday night. Deck lists can also be printed from the Land of Redemption Deck Builder tool. Optional digital decklist submission is TBD.
    • 9:00am - Play begins
    • 12:00/1:00pm - 30-minute lunch break
      • Time is subject to change based on the Round timing of each category.
    • 5:00pm - Day 3 Awards Ceremony and closing remarks
    • 6:30pm - Venue closes

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

  • All event payments must be made at check-in. The following payment forms will be accepted:
    • Cash
    • Venmo
    • PayPal
  • Note: All proceeds made from this event will be donated to Oakdale Christian Academy and be used to help provide scholarships for families who may not otherwise be able to afford a private Christian education for their children at Oakdale. For more information about Oakdale Christian Academy, click here.

VENUE INFORMATION:

  • Gymnasium/Gaming Hall: Where all official tournament event gameplay will take place.
  • Hangout Room: Comfy room close to the gaming hall for hanging out between rounds and after events.
  • Vendor Hall: Area connected to the gaming hall where vendors will be located throughout the weekend.

LODGING:

  • Venue lodging will be available for free beginning Wednesday night until the conclusion of the events on Saturday. Overnight lodging will NOT be available at the venue Saturday night.
    • All the space available at the venue will be floor space, so please bring any bedding you will want to use (sleeping bag, blankets, air mattress, cot, etc.).
    • We ask that ALL attendees be mindful of their hygiene throughout the weekend. It may be warm and crowded in the tournament area and biological warfare is not a permitted gameplay tactic. For those staying at the venue, tent showers will be available for use, so please bring shower supplies to keep your friends happy.
  • OFFICIAL HOTEL:
    • Asbury Inn & Suites 1 June Ryan Cir. Wilmore, KY 40390
      • At this hotel, there is a special Group Rate available from Wednesday (07/22) through Sunday (07/26), which is $109/night for a Standard Double Queen room or $129/night for an Executive Suite. The number of rooms available at this rate is limited and until we hit that limit, the rooms are guaranteed to be available only until June 22nd, at which point they open to the public, so the earlier you book the better. If you would like more information on how to book using the Group Rate, contact Brian Jones (Brianjones121191@gmail.com).
      • Daily shuttles will be available to and from ONLY this hotel, so if you would like to stay in a hotel but will not have your own transportation, this is likely your best option.
  • OTHER HOTELS:
    • Holiday Inn Express 164 Imperial Way Nicholasville, KY 40356
    • Comfort Inn 100 All Star Way Nicholasville, KY 40356
    • Feel free to do your own research to find any other hotels in the vicinity that you may want to use.
  • OTHER OPTIONS:
    • If sleeping on the floor is not for you but hotels are too posh, some folks have chosen to book an AirBnB in the area with their groups the last few years, which can be a great way to fellowship outside of the tournament time if you are not staying at the venue.

TRAVEL:

  • A shuttle to and from the airport and bus station will be provided at set times on Wednesday and Saturday. Exact times are TBD. Once those times are set, if you require a ride at a different time, please contact Brian Jones (Brianjones121191@gmail.com) as soon as possible.
    • Bluegrass Airport: 14 miles (approx. 20 minutes) from the venue
    • Greyhound Bus Station: 20 miles (approx. 25 minutes) from the venue

FOOD:

  • ON-SITE:
    • Lunch will be provided at the venue each day. Menu and pricing will be provided below as we get closer to the tournament dates.
    • Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase throughout the tournament.
  • OFF-SITE:
    • Wilmore offers several options for eating out within a few minutes of the venue, and Nicholasville and Lexington also have many options for meals where you have more time to travel. Some options include:

VENDORS:

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS:

Looking forward to seeing you there!