TCGs Dominate PAX East as Cyberpunk and League of Legends Card Games Generate Buzz

New trading card games based on popular video game franchises draw huge crowds and interest at the annual gaming convention.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:27pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of shattered glass and glittering sequins in vibrant red, blue, and gold hues, creating an abstract, high-contrast composition that evokes the excitement and glamour of the trading card game genre's resurgence.The dazzling textures and high-energy atmosphere of the TCG boom at PAX East capture the thrill of new video game-inspired card games capturing the public's imagination.Boston Today

At PAX East 2026, the author found themselves spending more time playing trading card games (TCGs) than video games, as new TCGs based on Cyberpunk 2077 and League of Legends generated massive excitement among attendees. The Cyberpunk TCG's Kickstarter became the most-funded game campaign ever on the platform, while the Riftbound TCG from Riot Games attracted many new players, including those with little prior TCG experience. The rise of these video game-inspired TCGs, as well as continued growth of Magic: The Gathering crossovers, suggest the TCG genre is having a major moment.

Why it matters

The surge of interest in TCGs at PAX East reflects a broader trend of video game franchises expanding into the tabletop space, providing new entry points for fans and potentially drawing in new players to the TCG genre overall. This diversification of the TCG market could reshape the landscape, challenging the dominance of established games like Magic while also creating new opportunities for smaller publishers and designers.

The details

At PAX East, the author found themselves drawn to TCG booths and events rather than the usual video game demos. They tried out the new Cyberpunk 2077 TCG, which had its first major public showing at the convention and quickly became the most-funded game Kickstarter ever. The author also got hooked on Riftbound, Riot Games' new TCG set in the League of Legends universe, which attracted many new players with its simplified mechanics and approachable design. Meanwhile, Magic: The Gathering continued to generate buzz with its various crossover sets, though some in the community have expressed concerns about 'Fortnite-ification'.

  • PAX East 2026 took place in Boston, Massachusetts.
  • The Cyberpunk 2077 TCG Kickstarter launched shortly after the convention.

The players

Moises Taveras

The author of the article, who attended PAX East 2026 and experienced the surge of interest in TCGs firsthand.

Kenneth Shepard

A Kotaku staff member who accompanied the author to try out the Cyberpunk 2077 TCG.

Amy 'Amazonian' Demicco

A TCG content creator who provided insights on the success of the Cyberpunk 2077 TCG Kickstarter and the broader trends in the TCG market.

Nala Wu

A developer who had little prior experience with TCGs but was drawn to the Riftbound TCG due to their interest in the League of Legends character Renata Glasc.

Riot Games

The developer behind League of Legends and the Riftbound TCG, which generated significant buzz at PAX East.

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What they’re saying

“As someone who has been burned by Kickstarter games never shipping out physical products, I think that part of the success of this fundraising is that it's tied to a major IP and company, so it's more likely to deliver.”

— Amy 'Amazonian' Demicco, TCG content creator

“Lots of people involving themselves in card games as scalpers. Gotta take the good with the bad.”

— Amy 'Amazonian' Demicco, TCG content creator

“Renata is exactly the type of character I like. She's a hot, evil woman.”

— Nala Wu, Developer

“Magic. They're going wild with IP crossovers and while some of them are stinkers (looking at you, Spider-Man), it means plenty of new players are attracted because their favorite franchises are involved.”

— Amy 'Amazonian' Demicco, TCG content creator

What’s next

The Cyberpunk 2077 TCG is expected to begin shipping physical products to backers of its record-breaking Kickstarter campaign in the coming months. Riot Games also plans to continue supporting the Riftbound TCG with new card expansions and events, aiming to build on the game's successful debut at PAX East.

The takeaway

The surge of interest in TCGs at PAX East, particularly for new games based on popular video game franchises like Cyberpunk 2077 and League of Legends, suggests the tabletop card game genre is experiencing a renaissance. This diversification of the TCG market could challenge the dominance of established games like Magic: The Gathering while also creating new opportunities for smaller publishers and designers to reach a growing audience of players.