Riftbound lands in Lucca: Showdown Series in September, then Lucca Comics & Games
Italy appears twice in the official August roadmap: on September 11-13 Lucca hosts a Showdown Series stop organized by PG Esports, and from October 28 to November 1 Riftbound comes to Lucca Comics & Games, Europe's biggest pop-culture fair — exactly one week after Radiance launches. For Italian players it's the chance to experience the official circuit without crossing a border: here are the dates, the context and how to plan the trip.
Dates from the official August 2026 Roadmap (playriftbound.com, August 5). Update, August 30: PG Esports has published badges, prices, schedule and prizes for the Lucca stop. We collected them in our practical guide to the Lucca Showdown Series.
In short, before you buy a badge. The Main Event is playable only with a Standard (€86), Standard Plus (€185) or Premium (€325) badge: Admission (€25) and Side Bundle (€90) get you into Side Events only. Badges are named, non-refundable and non-transferable, one per attendee. On the line for qualifiers: 1-4 Regional Championship invitations and 4-16 Competitor Passes. Full details, tournament by tournament, in the dedicated guide.
SeptemberThe Lucca Showdown Series (Sept 11-13)
The Showdown Series are official competitive events run by third-party organizers — the rung between store tournaments and the Riftbound Regionals — and on the September 11-13 weekend the circuit stops in Tuscany, at Lucca’s Polo Fiere, with PG Esports as organizer, in parallel with SCG Con Baltimore in the US. It's a strong signal for Italy: Riot announced the program expands in 2027 with more events, organizers and regions, and a Lucca stop two months before the new competitive system puts the country on the map at just the right time. Aiming higher? Mark the continent's last call too: the Barcelona Regional Qualifier (August 21-23) is Europe's final 2026 RQ, with Stuttgart Regional Championship seats on the line.
October-NovemberLucca Comics & Games, with Radiance fresh off the press
The return to Lucca for Comics & Games (October 28 - November 1) could not be better timed: Radiance releases October 23, so the fair becomes the new set's first big Italian stage — expect demos, events and boosters cracked en masse in the hunt for the new Ultimate rarity. Europe's calendar is packed that month: Spiel Essen (October 22-25) and Paris Games Week for travellers, then the European Regional Championship in Stuttgart (November 6-8) with $50,000 on the line. To prep for the set, here's our full breakdown of Radiance and the 2027 sets.
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| August 21-23 | Regional Qualifier (Europe's last of 2026) | Barcelona |
| September 11-13 | Showdown Series: Lucca Fiere | Lucca |
| October 16-22 | Radiance Pre-Rift | Participating stores |
| October 23 | Radiance launch | Everywhere |
| Oct 28 - Nov 1 | Lucca Comics & Games | Lucca |
| November 6-8 | European Regional Championship | Stuttgart |
Questions & answersWhat you need to know
When is Riftbound played in Lucca?
Two dates: the Lucca Fiere Showdown Series on September 11-13 and Lucca Comics & Games from October 28 to November 1, 2026.
What is a Showdown Series?
An official competitive event run by third-party partners, sitting between store tournaments and the Regionals. The program expands in 2027 with more stops and regions.
How do I register for the Lucca events?
Registration goes through the organizers (Showdown Series remain on Carde.io through 2026). Structure and tickets haven't been published yet: we'll update this article with official links.
Will Radiance already be playable at Lucca Comics?
Yes: the set releases October 23, five days before the fair, and the Pre-Rift runs October 16-22 at participating stores.
In short
- 🎪 Italy joins the official calendar: Showdown Series in Lucca September 11-13 and Riftbound at Lucca Comics & Games (Oct 28 - Nov 1).
- 🃏 Perfect timing: the fair lands one week after Radiance launches (October 23), new Ultimate rarity included.
- 🏆 For competitors: Barcelona RQ (Aug 21-23) is Europe's last qualifier, then the European Regional Championship in Stuttgart (Nov 6-8).
Source: August 2026 Roadmap (playriftbound.com). Images © Riot Games.
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