Magic: The Gathering — The Hobbit: Go There and Back Again | Everything You Need to Know
In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit. And on 14th August 2026, that Hobbit's greatest adventure comes to the Magic: The Gathering table.
Magic: The Gathering — The Hobbit: Go There and Back Again is one of the most enchanting and beautifully crafted crossover sets in MTG history. From the rolling green hills of the Shire to the fire-lit depths of the Lonely Mountain, every card in this set is faithfully pulled straight from the pages of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved classic. Whether you are a lifelong Planeswalker, a devoted fan of Middle-earth, or someone who has never shuffled a deck in your life — this set has something extraordinary waiting for you.
At The Big Bang Shop, we are beyond excited to bring this release to Durban. Here is everything you need to know.
🏔️ The Story Behind the Set
Join Bilbo Baggins on the adventure of a lifetime. There are Dwarves to befriend, Trolls to trick, Elves to outwit, and songs to sing along the way. At the end of the road lies either gold or dragon's fire — but the journey itself is where the magic lives.
Every card in this set is an invitation to go there and back again. Iconic characters, legendary moments, and the rich lore of The Hobbit come to life on the MTG cardboard in stunning detail — and the brave and fortunate among you may even claim the Headliner of the set as your own treasure.
🐉 The Headliner: Gleaming Gold Smaug the Magnificent
The crown jewel of The Hobbit set is the breathtaking Gleaming Gold Smaug the Magnificent — a Headliner card that lives up to every bit of its name. Smaug has never looked this good and this is the card every collector will be chasing from the moment packs go on sale.
📦 Products Available at The Big Bang Shop
The Hobbit set offers a beautifully curated range of products for every kind of player and collector. Here is a full breakdown of what is available:
🟢 Play Boosters & Play Booster Boxes
The best way to begin your journey through The Hobbit. Each pack is packed with iconic characters and moments from the story, making Play Boosters perfect for building your deck, sitting down for a cozy draft, or simply experiencing the magic of opening something special.
Discover the world of Middle-earth one card at a time — and hope Smaug is waiting inside.
🟢 Draft Night
Host your own unexpected party for up to 4 players with the all-in-one Pick 2 Draft experience. Gather your Company, pass the provisions, and set out on an adventure that can begin anywhere. Draft Night is the perfect way to bring friends together around the table for a memorable Middle-earth evening.
🟢 Bundle
A curated collection featuring multiple Play Boosters, accessories, and the stunning foil full-art Seasonal Hobbit lands — some of the most beautiful land cards ever printed in the history of MTG. Whether you are building your collection or setting off on your own journey, the Bundle is the perfect starting point.
🟢 Gift Bundle
Give the gift of Middle-earth. The Gift Bundle includes Play Boosters, a Collector Booster, accessories, dazzling full-art Surge Foil Seasonal basic lands, and a one-of-a-kind spindown — perfect for sharing the magic of The Hobbit with someone you love, or treating yourself to something truly special.
🟡 Collector Boosters & Collector Booster Boxes
For the collectors among us, The Hobbit Collector Boosters are where the real treasure lies. Each pack is loaded with premium content including:
- Surge Foils — a breathtaking foil treatment that brings Middle-earth to life
- Dwarvish Language Cards — unique alternate language cards written in authentic Dwarvish script, perfect for display and collection
- Gleaming Gold Smaug the Magnificent — the Headliner card that every collector will be hunting
If you are serious about your collection, Collector Boosters are where your journey under the Mountain begins.
🟡 Scene Boxes
Two stunning Scene Boxes bring the world of The Hobbit to life on your table in a way that has never been done before in MTG. Each Scene Box contains 6 mechanically unique foil cards that combine together to form a single breathtaking panoramic scene.
Crack the Plates Scene Box
Chip the glasses and crack the plates right at your table! Your company of 6 mechanically unique foil cards comes together to recreate one of the most beloved and chaotic scenes from The Hobbit in stunning detail.
Treasures of Smaug Scene Box
Lay claim to the hoard under the Mountain. Your 6 mechanically unique foil cards combine to bring the legendary treasures of Smaug's lair to life right on your tabletop.
Both Scene Boxes are among the most visually spectacular products MTG has ever produced and will be a highlight of any collection or display.
🟢 Commander Decks
The Hobbit Commander Decks bring the adventure to your Commander table with powerful, thematic decks built around the characters and stories of Middle-earth. Whether you are rallying a company of Dwarves or weaving the magic of the Elves, there is a Commander Deck for every style of player.
(Full Commander Deck details and decklists to be announced.)
Why The Hobbit Set Is Special
There have been many great MTG crossover sets over the years. But The Hobbit occupies a unique place — it is a story about an ordinary person choosing an extraordinary adventure. And that spirit translates beautifully to Magic: The Gathering, a game that has always been about the journey as much as the destination.
The Dwarvish Language cards alone make this one of the most unique collector releases in recent MTG history. The Surge Foil treatments on the Collector Boosters are among the most stunning ever produced. And Smaug the Magnificent as a Headliner card is a moment that MTG collectors will be talking about for years to come.
At The Big Bang Shop we host Commander play every Wednesday night and Sunday morning, and we have a full season of Hobbit events planned including a Pre Release, Store Championship, Commander Parties, and more. This is a set you will want to experience with your community — and we are the best place in Durban to do exactly that.
🗓️ The Hobbit Season at The Big Bang Shop
Our full Hobbit event season runs from August through September 2026:
- 🔓 Pre Release — Friday, 7th August
- 🎉 An Unexpected Commander Party — Sunday, 23rd August
- 🏆 Store Championship — Saturday, 29th August
- ⛏️ Heart of the Mountain Event — Sunday, 6th September
- 👑 Commander Party — Sunday, 20th September
More details on each event will be announced soon. Watch this space.
How to Pre-Order
Pre-orders for Magic: The Gathering — The Hobbit are open now at The Big Bang Shop. Visit us in store or head online to secure your products before release day.
Stock on premium products like Collector Booster Boxes and Scene Boxes is always limited — we strongly recommend securing your pre-order early to avoid missing out.
The adventure begins 14th August 2026. Will you answer the call?
In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit. And in The Big Bang Shop in Umhlanga Rocks, there lives a community ready to go there and back again — together. 🏔️
Pre-order now at bigbangshop.co.za or visit us in store.
📍 Shop 4, The Auroras, 9 Aurora Drive, Umhlanga Rocks, Durban