MTG Fans Buzz as Wizards Teases Hobbit Set — Happy Birthday Mr. Baggins!
Wizards of the Coast posted a short animated Instagram video on Sept. 22 showing the Shire and the text “Happy Birthday Mr. Baggins!”, drawing attention from Magic: The Gathering players ahead of MagicCon in Atlanta.
Instagram Teaser
On Sept. 22, Wizards of the Coast shared a short animated clip featuring the Shire, the homeland of the Hobbits. The post included the exact text “Happy Birthday Mr. Baggins!”. It was published on Instagram and showed a pastoral Shire scene with familiar visual elements from J.R.R. Tolkien’s setting.
MagicCon Reveal Panel
MagicCon will take place in Atlanta and includes a scheduled reveal panel on Friday, Sept. 26. The reveal panel is slated to announce new MTG set plans. Immediately after that panel, organizers list a Secret Lair panel on the event schedule.
Previous MTG x LOTR Crossover
Magic: The Gathering previously released a crossover with The Lord of the Rings IP, which debuted in 2023. That crossover is part of Wizards’ Universes Beyond line of cross-property releases.
Community Reaction
Following the Sept. 22 Instagram post, players and fans posted speculation on social media about whether the post signaled a new LOTR-themed product. Many interpreted the post’s focus on the Shire and Bilbo Baggins’ birthday as noteworthy. At the same time, Sept. 22 is Bilbo Baggins’ canonical birthday in Tolkien’s writings, which some observers pointed out.
Next Steps
Wizards’ Instagram post is public and the MagicCon schedule is public. Therefore, further official information is expected during the MagicCon reveal and Secret Lair panels beginning on Sept. 26 in Atlanta. Until those panels occur, the Instagram post and public schedules are the available, concrete sources of information.
