ChannelFireball Cancels MagicFest Turin

Due to the rising number of cases of coronavirus in Italy, premiere tournament organizer ChannelFireball has cancelled MagicFest Turin on April 3-5, 2020. Earlier today, ChannelFireball’s Twitter (@ChannelFireball) released the following tweets updating players on the unique situation:

An Update on MagicFest Turin:

The safety of MagicFest attendees is of the utmost importance to us and we have been monitoring the situation in Italy closely. Out of an abundance of caution, we are cancelling #MTGTurin. (1/2)
— ChannelFireball (@ChannelFireball) February 28, 2020

We regret any disappointment this may cause, and are actively exploring different dates and cities in Europe for rescheduling this event. If you have already registered for events or packages at #MTGTurin, those purchases will be automatically refunded. (2/2)
— ChannelFireball (@ChannelFireball) February 28, 2020

ChannelFireball also touched on how the coronavirus is affecting other MagicFest events, namely MagicFest Lyon, and that they’re “looking closely at the situation in #MTGLyon”. At this time, ChannelFireball plan on running MagicFest Lyon as scheduled and have already put quite a few precautions in place to ensure both a fun and safe event for all attendees:

We are also looking closely at the situation in #MTGLyon. Based on current information, we believe it is safe to proceed with the event.

We look forward to creating a wonderful and safe Magic experience for our attendees. (1/x)
— ChannelFireball (@ChannelFireball) February 28, 2020

To that end, here are some of the precautions we will be implementing at #MTGLyon:

· Ample supply of hand sanitizers available for attendees at registration & throughout the venue
· Working with venue for a heightened cleaning effort with a focus on high-usage touchpoints (2/x)
— ChannelFireball (@ChannelFireball) February 28, 2020

Precautions (continued):
· Awareness and training of all on-site staff regarding personal preventative measures
· Advice to vendors and artists on implementing effective cleaning and disinfection of display areas, along with guidance on common preventive behavior (3/x)
— ChannelFireball (@ChannelFireball) February 28, 2020

Precautions (continued)
· Awareness campaign to encourage safe practices among attendees, such as avoiding handshakes

More information about #MTGLyon can be found at https://t.co/HCjOM9P72y (4/4)
— ChannelFireball (@ChannelFireball) February 28, 2020

While players are disappointed by the news of MagicFest Turin’s cancellation, they appear to both understand and agree with ChannelFireball’s decision to make player health and safety the top priority:

That's unfortunate, but a smart move.

Thanks for thinking of global health.
— Amy the Amazonian ☕ 💕 🤖 (@coL_Amazonian) February 28, 2020

👏self👏care👏and👏care👏of👏others👏
— Ma:rta (@Strawbrarian) February 28, 2020

i can totally understand and i accept this, but I am still super sad, it would have been my first magicfest …

But safety first, hope to be able to attend next year.
— Gionata Odasso (@gionata_odasso) February 28, 2020