1997

The year 1997 was the fifth year of existence for Magic: The Gathering.

Events

Date	Event
February 3	Release of Visions.
February	Prank article in InQuest #22, starting the rumors about the color purple.
February 14–16	Duelist Invitational in Hong Kong. Won by Olle Råde.
February 28 – March, 2	Pro Tour Los Angeles, won by Tommi Hovi. David Mills was disqualified in the finals.
March	Release of Fifth Edition, the first set that was advertised as an advanced-level set in the new rating system for the game sets. Largest core set ever.
March	Start of the Military League.
March 22–23	First Grand Prix in Amsterdam, won by Emmanuel Vernay.
April 11–13	Pro Tour Paris, won by Mike Long. First Pro Tour in Europe.
April	Release of the MicroProse Magic computer game, including the Astral set.
May 1	Release of Portal, the first starter-level set, with simpler rules and another layout. First set released with demo game boosters.
May 16	Opening of the Wizards of the Coast Game Center.
May 30 – June, 1	Pro Tour New York, won by Terry Borer.
June 6	Release of Weatherlight. Start of the Weatherlight Saga.
Summer	First Vanguard set, featured in the Arena League.
July	Introduction of the Extended and Legacy formats.
July	First Magic based summer camp.
August 13–17	1997 World Championships in Seattle, won by Jakub Slemr. Team champions: Canada.
October 4	Prerelease of Tempest, first prerelease card: Dirtcowl Wurm
October 10–12	Pro Tour Chicago, won by Randy Buehler. Start of the Magic Junior Super Series, replacing the Junior Pro Tour program. First ESPN broadcast.
October 13	Release of Tempest, the first set that was advertised as an expert-level set and the first set to be released with preconstructed theme decks.
October 15	Wizards of the Coast lands TCG patent.
November 1	Release of the Magic: The Gathering - BattleMage computer game.
November	Magic television commercials air in the USA.
December 5–7	Pro Tour Mainz, won by Matt Place.
December	Release of the 1997 World Championship Decks.
December	Release of the Vanguard Gift Box.
	Magic: The Gathering - Armageddon arcade game created by Acclaim Entertainment.
	Player of the Year: Paul McCabe.