The upcoming Magic: The Gathering | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles set, previewed recently by Wizards of the Coast at New York Comic Con, introduces players to new mechanics like "Sneak," an evolution of Ninjutsu, and a "Turtle Power" Commander deck, celebrating the iconic franchise. However, the spotlight of the announcement shifted to a significant update for the Magic: The Gathering Standard format, which will see 120 more cards overall in 2026 compared to 2025, reflecting a strategic shift in set design to balance growth and accessibility.
During the latest WeeklyMTG episode, host Blake Rasmussen detailed this expansion, emphasizing Wizards' experimentation with varied set sizes to shape Standard's evolution. He confirmed that Magic: The Gathering | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was "designed from the get-go" for approximately 190 main set cards, smaller than the standard 260-card sets like Lorwyn Eclipsed.
Unlike the Spider-Man set, which was expanded to a similar size during development, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles set was intentionally crafted at this scale from its inception, allowing for a focused design tailored to its theme and mechanics. Rasmussen noted that the team is "very intentionally" exploring "smaller sizes or medium sizes" for some 2026 sets, moving away from the consistent set sizes of previous years. The projected 120-card increase suggests a mix of compact and larger sets across the seven planned releases for 2026, tailored to maintain a dynamic yet manageable card pool.
"There are going to be more cards entering Standard in 2026, but not a full set's worth of more cards," . Rasmussen explained.
You can watch the reveal in the WeeklyMTG episode at the 28-minute mark below:
This strategic adjustment responds to ongoing discussions about Standard's health and complexity. In 2025, Standard's card additions were influenced by a lineup including one smaller set, establishing a baseline count. For 2026, the net gain of 120 cards indicates a blend of set sizes, potentially reducing the churn for Standard players while supporting diverse deck-building options.
Upcoming Magic: The Gathering Sets for 2026
Wizards of the Coast has outlined an ambitious lineup of seven sets for 2026, contributing to the expanded Standard card pool. In addition to Magic: The Gathering | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Lorwyn Eclipsed, players can anticipate Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Hobbit, Star Trek, Strixhaven, Marvel Superheroes, and Reality Fracture. While specific set sizes for most of these remain unconfirmed, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is set at approximately 190 cards, and Lorwyn Eclipsed at around 260 cards, suggesting a mix of smaller and standard-sized sets. These releases will include a variety of Universes Beyond crossovers and in-universe expansions, catering to both casual and competitive players. Previews for Avatar: The Last Airbender are expected soon, with further details to be shared on WeeklyMTG.
The Magic: The Gathering | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles set is set to launch in 2026, offering Play Boosters, Collector Boosters, a "Turtle Power" Commander deck, and special bundles like the Draft Night Box and Pizza Bundle. Additional previews will be highlighted in future WeeklyMTG episodes.
