TCG: Tournament Policy Ver. 2.5 – Updates and Changes
Published on September 4th, 2025 by
Updated on September 4th, 2025
Overview
Konami have announced new changes to the TCG Tournament Policy documents. This announcement includes new End of Match procedures and changes to Top Cuts at competitive events.
You can check out the full Konami article on their website for more information, but here's a breakdown of the changes made.
It has been several years since the last End of Match Procedure change, so make sure you're prepared for your next tournament. Tournament Policy is often overlooked as Duelists focus on card text and rulings, but it’s every bit as important a part of tournament preparedness.
Section 3.C - Time Limits
- Yu‑Gi‑Oh! TCG Swiss Rounds have been extended to 50 minutes from 45 for Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 events (such as Local Tournaments, Regional Qualifiers, and Yu‑Gi‑Oh! Championship Series or World Championship Qualifiers).
- Round times may be adjusted for Tier 4 events (the Yu‑Gi‑Oh! TCG World Championship). Any such changes will be announced before the event starts.
Section 3.G - Number of Rounds – General
- new subsection added, to accommodate the difference in number of rounds required for specific tournament tiers.
Section 3.H - Number of Rounds – Tier 1 and Tier 2 Events
- Regardless of how many Duelists enter a Tier 1 or 2 tournament, the Top Cut playoff will cap at eight Duelists (Top 8).
Section 3.H - Number of Rounds – Tier 3 and Tier 4 Events
- Regardless of how many Duelists enter a Tier 3 (such as a YCS or WCQ) or Tier 4 tournament (Yu‑Gi‑Oh! World Championship), Top Cut playoff will cap at eight Duelists (Top 8).
- Top Cut rounds no longer have a time limit, but players will still be expected to play at a proper pace. Slow Play penalties will be enforced.
- 2 additional Swiss Rounds have been added (total number of Swiss Rounds dependent upon the number of Duelists enrolled at the start of the tournament). Prizing distribution for top finishers remains the same, even if you finish outside of the Top 8 and will continue to be awarded to Duelists depending on their Final Standing in the tournament, just as before.