Is The Hobbit Coming to Magic: The Gathering? MTG Fans Think So.

Greg Montique
Sep 25
2 min read

Magic: The Gathering players love a good mystery, and lately, the community has been buzzing with speculation that the next Universes Beyond set might be diving into Middle-earth once again, this time with a focus on The Hobbit. While Wizards of the Coast hasn’t confirmed anything officially, there are some intriguing clues that have fans trying to connect the dots.

Let’s break down what’s fueling the speculation that Magic: The Gathering x The Hobbit may be a thing.

Clue #1: The Tolkien Licensing

An initial point fueling the theory is licensing. If Wizards secured the rights to adapt Tolkien’s universe, it could easily include both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Fans have noticed that The Hobbit has yet to receive direct representation in Magic cards, despite sharing the same lore foundation. That absence has many wondering if it’s only a matter of time.

A face emerges from fiery swirls, holding a glowing ring. Text reads "Magic: The Gathering," "Universes Beyond," and "The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth."

Universes Beyond thrives on revisiting popular IPs, just look at how often Warhammer or Marvel pop up in conversation. It would make sense for WotC to expand their Tolkien work rather than treat LOTR as a one-and-done.

Clue #2: Several Hobbit Characters Left Out

Shortly after the release of the initial Lord of the Rings Universes Beyond set, many had speculated that another would drop in time. Several characters from The Hobbit were left out. We didn't get cards for Bombur, Ori, Dwalin, Thrain, or other dwarves. The trolls Tom, Burt, and Bill were no-shows.

But you can go even bigger. Where was Smaug? These notable omissions, along with a huge backlog of lore, led many to believe that MTG's adventure in Middle-earth was not over.

Clue #3: A Happy Birthday to Mr. Baggins

Probably the most obvious clue is a recent post by the official Magic: The Gathering account on X wishing Bilbo Baggins a Happy Birthday.

A round green door with floral accents sits in a hillside. Flowers surround the scene. Caption reads "Happy Birthday Mr. Baggins!"

The art also includes the message Gandalf leaves on Bilbo's door to let the dwarves know where to go. There is no other reason for this post then to tease a future set, which fans around the world will be eagerly anticipating.

Why Magic: The Gathering x The Hobbit Makes Sense

The Hobbit is a self-contained story with iconic characters and locations, perfect for a flavorful MTG set.
The success of the LOTR set proved that Tolkien’s world resonates with Magic players.
Wizards has already shown interest in expanding Universes Beyond with deeper dives into existing franchises (see: Fallout, Assassin’s Creed, and Marvel).

Find out this Friday!

While nothing is confirmed, the signs are hard to ignore. Between trademark filings, missing characters, and official social media posts, The Hobbit feels like the next logical step for Universes Beyond. Whether it’s a full set, a Secret Lair drop, or a Commander release, fans are ready to journey back to Middle-earth.

Keep your eyes on Wizards as they show off the full slate for 2026 at MagicCon Atlanta on Friday, September 26th! And maybe start saving up for that mythic Smaug card, just in case.