Today Wizards announced the initial schedule of PTQs for Pro Tour Dragon's Maze. Following the pattern set in place last year, the format of these PTQs is Modern, and some of the events will be held before Gatecrash is released.

Pins given to players that Top 8 PTQs were discontinued some time ago. Head of Organized Play Helene Bergeot shared that this was due to customs concerns as they are classified as jewelry.

Pins are listed as jewelry by the customs; this is why we can no longer consider them as an option for rewards to be used globally

— Helene Bergeot (@HeleneBergeot) November 19, 2012

Wizards did not want to have the pins get stuck in customs, causing locations to not receive them at all. There was no prize provided to replace them, until now.

Starting with qualifiers for Pro Tour Dragon's Maze, every Top 8 competitor will receive a special playmat  to commemorate their achievement.

The Dragon's Maze PTQ season starts on December 22nd in Dortmund, Germany and ends on March 17th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hopefully your area will BE host to one in between!