2026 BoBA World Championships FAQ and Deck Building
Jacob Burns
July 15, 2026
22 min read
Important Details for All Divisions and Game Modes
One Entry Per Deck
If you are playing in multiple formats, you must have a completely unique deck for each event entry.
No Deck Modifications During the Event
Once your deck is registered for an event, it is locked for that event until you either win the event or are eliminated.
Opaque Card Sleeves Required
Coaches must use clean, unmarked card sleeves. Sleeves may not contain any markings, wear, or other features that could distinguish one card from another.Using different colored sleeves for Heroes, Plays, and Hot Dogs is recommended but not required.The back of every sleeve must be completely opaque.
Event Legal Proxy Rentals (ELPs)
Coaches may rent an Event Legal Proxy for any Graded Hero card that meets one or more of the following criteria:
Power above 160
SuperFoil Heroes
Heroes with the Gum weapon type
Inserts and parallel versions of Featured Heroes
To be eligible, the original Hero card must be authenticated and encapsulated by PSA, CGC, SGC, TAG, GGC, or BGS.
Event Legal Proxies are not available for raw (ungraded) Hero cards.Event Legal Proxies are not available for Plays or Hot Dogs, whether raw or graded.Each rented ELP requires the corresponding graded card as collateral.Collateral may be provided:
The World Championship is the premier event for the Bo Jackson Battle Arena community. We want our flagship event to reflect the professionalism and excitement of major esports competitions, where teams compete in coordinated jerseys and apparel.Team jerseys are required for all Alpha Trilogy, Apex, and Madness participants. For all other divisions and brackets, officially licensed Bo Jackson Battle Arena shirts may be worn instead of team jerseys.If you choose to wear a hat, it must complement your team uniform and either:
Be an officially licensed Bo Jackson Battle Arena hat, or
Be a plain hat with no visible logos, words, or graphics.
Creating team uniforms should not be a major expense, and we believe they will help showcase our community while making the World Championship feel even more special.
Important Restrictions
The following apparel is not permitted:
College or professional sports team merchandise.
Athletic wear displaying logos other than those found on footwear.
Due to Bo Jackson's iconic relationship with Nike, Nike logos appearing on shoes are permitted.
Unique Decklists and Card Sharing
For events that require coaches to submit and use unique decklists across all tournaments they enter during the same event, registered cards may not be shared between participants.Every card included on a registered decklist must remain exclusively assigned to the coach who submitted that decklist for the duration of the event.coaches may not loan, borrow, trade, or otherwise transfer registered cards to another participant if doing so would cause either coach's decklist to no longer be legal.Any violation of this policy will result in the disqualification of all coaches involved from the current event and may result in disqualification from future Bo Jackson Battle Arena events.
APEX Power Cards Must Be Unique Across the Team
Team members may include the same SPEC Heroes and Hot Dogs in their decks. However, all APEX cards must be unique across the entire team.No two coaches on the same team may register the same APEX card, including different premium printings of the same card.For example, if one coach registers the Bojax Bubblegum Inspired Ink Battlefoil Founding Hero variation, no other coach on that team may register that same APEX card.
Deck Building Guides
Brawl Playmaker
Brawl Playmaker is a Playmaker event where coaches may only use heroes with brawl weapon types.Decks Used:
Hero Deck
Hot Dog Deck
Playbook Deck
Hero Deck:
Must contain exactly 60 Hero cards.
All heroes must have the brawl weapon type
You may include a maximum of 6 cards per Power value (e.g., no more than 6 Heroes with 100 Power).
Only 1 copy of each Hero variation is allowed in your deck.
Variations that differ in pose name, weapon type, or Power, and are considered separate cards.
Hot Dog Deck:
Must contain exactly 10 Hot Dog cards.
You may include multiple copies of the same Hot Dog card.
Playbook Deck:
Must contain exactly 30 Play cards.
All cards must be unique — no duplicates.
No bonus plays
No htd plays
1000 dbs
Elite Playmaker
Elite Playmaker is a Playmaker event where coaches must build a deck with a total Hero Power of 8,250 or less.
Decks Used:
Hero Deck
Hot Dog Deck
Playbook Deck
Hero Deck:
Must contain exactly 60 Hero cards.
Total power of all heroes in a deck must be equal to or less than 8250
You may include a maximum of 6 cards per Power value (e.g., no more than 6 Heroes with 100 Power).
Only 1 copy of each Hero variation is allowed in your deck.
Variations that differ in pose name, weapon type, or Power, and are considered separate cards.
Restrictions: No Trainers (Starters allowed)
Hot Dog Deck:
Must contain exactly 10 Hot Dog cards.
You may include multiple copies of the same Hot Dog card.
Playbook Deck:
Must contain exactly 30 Play cards.
Players may add Bonus Plays in addition to the 30 standard plays.
All cards must be unique — no duplicates.
DBS: 1,000
Bonus Plays: ON
HTD Plays: ON
Brawl Rookie Double Up
Brawl Rookie Double-Up is a Rookie format event where coaches may only use Heroes with the Brawl weapon type. This event also uses the Double-Up add-on, creating fast-paced matches with exciting comeback opportunities.
Decks Used:
Hero Deck
Hero Deck:
Must contain exactly 60 Hero cards.
All heroes must have the brawl weapon type
You may include a maximum of 6 cards per Power value (e.g., no more than 6 Heroes with 100 Power).
Only 1 copy of each Hero variation is allowed in your deck.
Variations That differ in pose name, weapon type, or power, and are considered separate cards.
Alpha Trilogy Playmaker
Alpha Trilogy Playmaker is a Playmaker event where coaches may only use Heroes released before November 1, 2025. Representing the pinnacle of Bo Jackson Battle Arena's original Alpha Trilogy, this format celebrates the game's earliest sets and rewards mastery of its classic cards and strategies.
N24 secret starter Bojax /99 required for entry.
Decks Used:
Hero Deck
Hot Dog Deck
Playbook Deck
Hero Deck:
Must contain exactly 60 Hero cards.
You may include a maximum of 6 cards per Power value (e.g., no more than 6 Heroes with 100 Power).
Only 1 copy of each Hero variation is allowed in your deck.
Variations differ in pose name, weapon type, or Power, and are considered separate cards.
Hot Dog Deck:
Must contain exactly 10 Hot Dog cards.
You may include multiple copies of the same Hot Dog card.
Playbook Deck:
Must contain exactly 30 Play cards.
Players may include bonus plays after the standard 30 plays
All cards must be unique — no duplicates.
coaches may include bonus plays in addition to their 30 standard plays.
DBS: 1,000
Bonus Plays: ON
HTD Plays: ON
SPEC Playmaker
SPEC Playmaker is a Playmaker event where coaches may only use heroes with individual hero power at 160 or less.Decks Used:
Hero Deck
Hot Dog Deck
Playbook Deck
Hero Deck:
Must contain exactly 60 Hero cards.
Hero power cap of 160
You may include a maximum of 6 cards per Power value (e.g., no more than 6 Heroes with 100 Power).
Only 1 copy of each Hero variation is allowed in your deck.
Variations that differ in pose name, type, or Power, and are considered separate cards.
Hot Dog Deck:
Must contain exactly 10 Hot Dog cards.
You may include multiple copies of the same Hot Dog card.
Playbook Deck:
Must contain exactly 30 Play cards.
All cards must be unique — no duplicates.
No bonus plays
No htd plays
1000 dbs
Alpha Trilogy Blitz
Alpha Trilogy Blitz is a Rookie format event where coaches may only use Heroes released before November 1, 2025. This format celebrates the original Alpha Trilogy, allowing players to revisit the game's earliest Heroes and original format.
N24 secret starter Bojax /99 required for entry.
Decks Used:
Hero Deck
Hero Deck:
Must contain exactly 60 Hero cards.
You may include a maximum of 6 cards per Power value (e.g., no more than 6 Heroes with 100 Power).
Only 1 copy of each Hero variation is allowed in your deck.
Variations that differ in pose name, type, or Power, and are considered separate cards.
Blast Substitution Low Ball Double Up
Blast Substitution Low Ball Double-Up is a Substitution format event where coaches may only use cards from the 2025 Blast set. This event also uses the Double-Up add-on.
One important twist: Battles are won by the Hero with the lowest Power.Decks Used:
Hero Deck
Hot Dog
Hero Deck:
All Heroes must be Blast
30 Heroes
Limit 3 Heroes Per Power
Only 1 copy of each Hero variation is allowed in your deck.
Variations that differ in pose name, weapon type, or Power, and are considered separate cards.
Hot Dog Deck
Exactly 10 Hot Dogs
All Hot Dogs must be Blast
SPEC+ Rookie Double Up
SPEC+ Rookie Double-Up is a Rookie format event where players bring a modified SPEC+ deck built according to the following deck construction rules. This event also uses the Double-Up add-on, adding another layer of strategy to every match.
Decks Used:
Hero Deck
Hero Deck:Hero Deck Hero Decks in SPEC+ must follow these rules:A SPEC+ Hero Deck may contain between 60 and 70 Hero cards.At least 60 Heroes must have a Power value of 160 or less. This is the minimum requirement to participate in the format.Coaches may include up to 10 additional Heroes with Power greater than 160, subject to the following limits:
Up to two (2) Heroes with 165 Power may be included.
Up to two (2) Heroes with 170 Power may be included.
Only one (1) Hero may be included for each Power value from 175 through 200.
No Heroes with Power above 200 may be included in this format.
Only one copy of each hero variation is allowed
Apex Playmaker
Apex Playmaker is the pinnacle of Bo Jackson Battle Arena deck building and competitive play. There is no Hero Power limit, and HTD and Bonus Plays are fully legal, allowing coaches to compete with the strongest decks the game has to offer.
N25 secret starter Bojax /99 required for entry.
Decks Used:
Hero Deck
Hot Dog Deck
Playbook Deck
Hero Deck:
Must contain exactly 60 Hero cards.
You may include a maximum of 6 cards per Power value (e.g., no more than 6 Heroes with 100 Power).
Only 1 copy of each Hero variation is allowed in your deck.
Variations differ in pose name, weapon type, or Power, and are considered separate cards.
Hot Dog Deck:
Must contain exactly 10 Hot Dog cards.
You may include multiple copies of the same Hot Dog card.
Playbook Deck:
Must contain exactly 30 Play cards.
May include bonus plays after the 30 standard plays.
All cards must be unique — no duplicates.
DBS: 1,000
Bonus Plays: ON
HTD Plays: ON
Tecmo SPEC+ Playmaker
Tecmo SPEC+ Playmaker is a Spec+ Playmaker event in which all cards must come from the Tecmo Bowl set.Decks Used:
Hero Deck
Hot Dog Deck
Playbook Deck
Hero Deck:All heroes must come from the Tecmo Bowl set Hero Decks in SPEC+ must follow these rules:A SPEC+ Hero Deck may contain between 60 and 70 Hero cards.At least 60 Heroes must have a Power value of 160 or less. This is the minimum requirement to participate in the format.Coaches may include up to 10 additional Heroes with Power greater than 160, subject to the following limits:
Up to two (2) Heroes with 165 Power may be included.
Up to two (2) Heroes with 170 Power may be included.
Only one (1) Hero may be included for each Power value from 175 through 200.
No Heroes with Power above 200 may be included in this format.
Only one copy of a hero variation may be included in your deck.
Hot Dog Deck:
Must contain exactly 10 Hot Dog cards.
You may include multiple copies of the same Hot Dog card.
All Hot Dogs must come from The Tecmo Bowl Set
Playbook Deck:
All plays must come from the Tecmo Bowl set
Must contain exactly 30 Play cards.
All cards must be unique — no duplicates.
DBS: 1,000
Bonus Plays: ON
HTD Plays:OFF
Apex Blitz
Apex Blitz is a fast-paced format with no Hero Power cap. coaches may use the strongest and most powerful Heroes from every set currently in rotation, creating explosive matches with some of the game's most iconic cards.
N25 secret starter Bojax /99 required for entry.
Decks Used:
Hero Deck
Hero Deck:
Must contain exactly 60 Hero cards.
You may include a maximum of 6 cards per Power value (e.g., no more than 6 Heroes with 100 Power).
Only 1 copy of each Hero variation is allowed in your deck.
Variations differ in artwork/pose name, weapon type, or Power, and are considered separate cards.
Brawl Madness
Brawl Madness is a team-based format with one Head Coach and multiple Team coaches, each following different deck construction rules. Coaches may only include Heroes with the brawl weapon type.
Team size:
1 Head Coach
3-5 Team Coaches
Head Coach Decks
Head Coaches play a full Apex deck
60 Hero cards total
6 cards per power
No power limit
The same Hero / Variation / Power / Weapon combination may not be repeated
Must include 4 Brawler Hot Dogs. These must be clearly displayed during all games
The Head Coach represents the team’s highest-power deck.
Team Player Decks
Team coaches may play a standard 60 Card SPEC 160 deck or choose to optimize their deck to include Apex cards.
Standard Option
A normal Spec 160–legal deck
No Apex cards required
Optimized OptionCoaches can unlock Apex cards by committing to specific Insert types in their deck.
Unlocking Apex Cards via Inserts
When a deck includes 10 copies of a single Insert at 160 or below The deck unlocks 1 Apex card (165+) of the same Insert type
Each Insert type may unlock only 1 Apex card
Using this method, a deck may unlock up to 6 Apex cards from 6 different Insert types.
Coaches may unlock the SCG Brawl promo with any insert.
Brawler Hot Dog Bonus Apex Cards
Brawler Hot Dogs act as the deck mascots and provide additional Apex unlocks.
Include 4 Brawler Hot Dogs
These must be clearly displayed during all games
This unlocks: 4 additional Apex cards of any in-rotation type
Final Deck Sizes
Optimized Madness Deck
60 Spec Hero cards
Up to 10 Apex cards
Maxed-Out Madness Deck
70 Hero cards total
60 Spec Hero cards
6 Apex cards unlocked via Inserts
4 bonus Apex cards unlocked via Foil Hot Dogs
Important Notes
Each Insert type can unlock only one Apex card
Color Battlefoils and Icon Battlefoils are separate Insert types.
Foil Hot Dogs must be visible during all games
Inserts and Parallels:
Inspired Ink Battlefoils
Alpha Battle Foils
80's Rad Battlefoils
Powerglove
Grandma's Linoleum Battlefoils(green)
Helmets
Great Grandma’s Linoleum Battlefoils(red)
News
Blizzard Battlefoils
Scoreboard
Red Battle Foil
Sore Thumb
Mixtape Battlefoils
Blow On It
Logo battlefoils
Gold Coinflip
Icon battlefoils
Helmet Icons
Colosseum battlefoils
SCG Brawl Promos
Tecmo HiLo Madness
Tecmo Hi Lo Madness is a team-based format with one Head Coach and multiple Team coaches, each following different deck construction rules. Coaches may only include Cards from the Tecmo Bowl Set.
Team size:
1 Head Coach
3-5 Team Coaches
Head Coach Decks
Head Coaches play a full Apex deck
60 Hero cards total
6 cards per power
No power limit
The same Hero / Variation / Power / Weapon combination may not be repeated
Must include 4 of your favorite Tecmo Hotdogs . These must be clearly displayed during all games
All cards must be from Tecmo Bowl
The Head Coach represents the team’s highest-power deck. And plays where the highest power hero wins.
Team Player Decks
Team coaches may play a standard 60 card SPEC 160 deck, where the goal is to have the lowest Power Hero win a Battle.If a player chooses to, they may unlock up to 6 additional Apex cards to add to their deck by including 6 different sets of 10 of the same Tecmo insert or parallel cards .
While Team Coaches may compete using only base (paper) Heroes, players are encouraged to "flex" their Tecmo parallels. We hope everyone embraces the spirit of Madness by showing off some of their favorite cards in their decks!
Tecmo Foil Hot Dogs
There are no Tecmo foil Hot Dogs, so coaches are encouraged to select and display their favorite Tecmo Hot Dogs!Since this event uses the HiLo format, coaches may also choose to unlock 4 additional Apex cards by including and displaying their favorite Tecmo Hot Dogs.
Inserts and parallels
Alt
Skyline Ice
Alpha Battlefoils
Skyline Fire
Helmets
Endzone Fire
News
Endzone Ice
Scoreboard
Skyline Glow
Sore Thumb
Big Pixel
Blow On It
Silver Coinflip
Gold Coinflip
Helmet Icons
Rad
Alpha Trilogy Madness
Alpha Trilogy Madness is a team-based format featuring one Head Coach and multiple Team Coaches, each building their deck under a unique set of deck construction rules. Showcasing only Heroes from the original Alpha Trilogy released before November 1, 2025, this format celebrates the era that built Bo Jackson Battle Arena. Assemble your team, master the game's earliest Heroes, and compete to prove which team stands atop the original age of BoBA.
N24 secret starter Bojax /99 required per team for entry.
Team size:
1 Head Coach
3-5 Team Coaches
Head Coach Decks
Head Coaches play a full Apex deck
60 Hero cards total
6 cards per power
No power limit
The same Hero / Variation / Power / Weapon combination may not be repeated
Must include 4 Full Art Foil Hot Dogs. These must be clearly displayed during all games
The Head Coach represents the team’s highest-power deck.
Team Player Decks
Team coaches may play a standard Spec 160 deck or choose to optimize their deck to include Apex cards.
Standard Option
A normal Spec 160–legal deck
No Apex cards required
Optimized Optioncoaches can unlock Apex cards by committing to specific Insert types in their deck.
Unlocking Apex Cards via Inserts
When a deck includes 10 copies of a single Insert at 160 or below The deck unlocks 1 Apex card (165+) of the same Insert type
Each Insert type may unlock only 1 Apex card
Supers are wild and may count as any Insert type
Using this method, a deck may unlock up to 6 Apex cards from 6 different Insert types.
Foil Hot Dog Bonus Apex Cards
Foil Hot Dogs act as deck mascots and provide additional Apex unlocks.
Include 4 different Foil Hot Dogs
These must be clearly displayed during all games
This unlocks: 4 additional Apex cards of any in-rotation type
Final Deck Sizes
Optimized Madness Deck
60 Spec Hero cards
Up to 10 Apex cards
Maxed-Out Madness Deck
70 Hero cards total
60 Spec Hero cards
6 Apex cards unlocked via Inserts
4 bonus Apex cards unlocked via Foil Hot Dogs
Important Notes
Each Insert type can unlock only one Apex card
Color Battlefoils and Icon Battlefoils are separate Insert types
Supers may count as any Insert type
Foil Hot Dogs must be visible during all games
Inserts and Parallels:
Alts
Blizzard Battlefoils
Alpha Battle Foils
Color Battlefoils (Orange, Blue, Green, Pink, Silver,)
Blast
Bubblegum Battlefoils
Cyber
Mixtape Battlefoils
Inspired Ink Battlefoils
Miami Ice Battlefoils
80's Rad Battlefoils
Fire Tracks Battlefoils
Grandma's Linoleum Battlefoils(green)
Apex Madness
Apex Madness is a team-based format featuring one Head Coach and multiple Team Coaches, each building their deck under a unique set of deck construction rules. This is the big leagues, where the strongest Heroes from the greatest number of sets come together to determine which team sits at the apex of competitive Bo Jackson Battle Arena.
N25 secret starter Bojax /99 required per team for entry.
Team size:
1 Head Coach
3-5 Team Coaches
Head Coach Decks
Head Coaches play a full Apex deck
60 Hero cards total
6 cards per power
No power limit
The same Hero / Variation / Power / Weapon combination may not be repeated
Must include 4 Full Art Foil Hot Dogs. These must be clearly displayed during all games
The Head Coach represents the team’s highest-power deck.
Team Player Decks
Team coaches may play a standard 60 card Spec 160 deck or choose to optimize their deck to include Apex cards.
Standard Option
A normal 60 card Spec 160–legal deck
No Apex cards required
Optimized OptionCoaches can unlock Apex cards by committing to specific Insert types in their deck.
Unlocking Apex Cards via Inserts
When a deck includes 10 copies of a single Insert at 160 or below The deck unlocks 1 Apex card (165+) of the same Insert type
Each Insert type may unlock only 1 Apex card
Supers are wild and may count as any Insert type
Using this method, a deck may unlock up to 6 Apex cards from 6 different Insert types.
Foil Hot Dog Bonus Apex Cards
Foil Hot Dogs act as deck mascots and provide additional Apex unlocks.
Include 4 different Foil Hot Dogs
These must be clearly displayed during all games
This unlocks: 4 additional Apex cards of any in-rotation type
Final Deck Sizes
Optimized Madness Deck
60 Spec Hero cards
Up to 10 Apex cards
Maxed-Out Madness Deck
70 Hero cards total
60 Spec Hero cards
6 Apex cards unlocked via Inserts
4 bonus Apex cards unlocked via Foil Hot Dogs
Important Notes
Each Insert type can unlock only one Apex card
Color Battlefoils and Icon Battlefoils are separate Insert typesSupers may count as any Insert type
Foil Hot Dogs must be visible during all games
Inserts and Parallels:
Alts
Colosseum battlefoils
Blast
Alpha Battle Foils
Cyber
Powerglove
Inspired Ink Battlefoils
Helmets
80's Rad Battlefoils
News
Grandma's Linoleum Battlefoils(green)
Scoreboard
Great Grandma’s Linoleum Battlefoils(red)
Sore Thumb
Blizzard Battlefoils
Blow On It
Color Battlefoils (Orange, Blue, Green, Pink, Silver,)
Gold Coinflip
Bubblegum Battlefoils
Skyline Ice
Mixtape Battlefoils
Skyline Fire
Miami Ice Battlefoils
Endzone Fire
Fire Tracks Battlefoils
Endzone Ice
Grillin Battlefoils
Skyline Glow
Chillin Battlefoils
Big Pixel
Slime Battlefoils
Silver Coinflip
Logo battlefoils
Helmet Icons
Icon battlefoils
Granny’s Gum HiLo Madness
Granny’s Gum HI Lo Madness is a team-based format with one Head Coach and multiple Team coaches, each following different deck construction rules.
Team size:
1 Head Coach
3-5 Team Coaches
Head Coach Decks
Head Coaches play a full Apex deck
60 Hero cards total
6 cards per power
No power limit
The same Hero / Variation / Power / Weapon combination may not be repeated
Must include 4 Full Art Foil Hot Dogs. These must be clearly displayed during all games
The Head Coach represents the team’s highest-power deck. And plays where the highest power hero wins.
Team Player Decks
Team coaches may play a standard 60 card SPEC 160 deck, where the goal is to have the lowest Power Hero win a Battle.Deck Requirements
Minimum 10 of each legal insert type
60 Hero cards total
maximum of 6 cards per power
The same Hero / Variation / Power / Weapon combination may not be repeated
Legal Inserts
Grandma's Linoleum
Great Grandma's Linoleum
Bubblegum (Auto or Non-Auto)
Foil Hot DogsFoil Hot Dogs act as deck mascots and provide additional Apex unlocks.
Include 4 different Foil Hot Dogs
These must be clearly displayed during all games
Power Glove Set Builder Bracket
Power Glove Set Builder Bracket is a double elimination event in which coaches can only include power glove treated cards in their hero deck.Decks Used:
Hero Deck
Hero Deck:
All hero cards must be power glove
Must contain exactly 60 Hero cards.
You may include a maximum of 6 cards per Power value (example: no more than 6 Heroes with 140 Power).
Only 1 copy of each Hero variation is allowed in your deck.
Variations that differ in pose name, weapon type, or Power, and are considered separate cards.
Tecmo SPEC+ Rookie Double Up
Tecmo SPEC+ Rookie Double-Up is a Rookie format event where coaches bring a modified SPEC+ deck using only Tecmo Bowl Heroes. This event also uses the Double-Up add-on. Build your team from football legends and compete under the following deck construction rules:
Decks Used:
Hero Deck
Hero Deck:
All heroes must be from the Tecmo Bowl Set
Hero Deck Hero Decks in SPEC+ must follow these rules:
A SPEC+ Hero Deck may contain between 60 and 70 Hero cards.
At least 60 Heroes must have a Power value of 160 or less.
Coaches may include up to 10 additional Heroes with Power greater than 160, subject to the following limits
Up to two (2) Heroes with 165 Power may be included.
Up to two (2) Heroes with 170 Power may be included.
Only one (1) Hero may be included for each Power value from 175 through 200.
No Heroes with Power above 200 may be included in this format.
Only 1 copy of each Hero variation is allowed in your deck.
Blast Substitution Double Up
Blast Substitution Double-Up is a Substitution format event where coaches may only use cards from the 2025 Blast set. This event also uses the Double-Up add-on.
Decks Used:
Hero Deck
Hot Dog
Hero Deck:
All Heroes must be Blast
30 Heroes
Limit 3 Heroes Per Power
Only 1 copy of each Hero variation is allowed in your deck.
Variations that differ in pose name, weapon type, or Power, and are considered separate cards.