Top 3 Nickelodeon Franchises That COULD Come To Magic: The Gathering

Wizards of the Coast has officially announced a partnership with Nickelodeon, and fans are already buzzing with speculation. What exactly this collaboration means is still a mystery—but many believe it ties directly into the unannounced Universes Beyond set for 2026.

While nothing is confirmed yet, this theory makes a lot of sense. Universes Beyond has become Wizards’ main avenue for crossovers—bringing worlds like The Lord of the Rings, Doctor Who, and Fallout into Magic: The Gathering.

We’ll know more during New York Comic Con on Friday, but until then, here are my top picks (and a few personal wishlist entries) for what a Nickelodeon-themed Universes Beyond set might look like.

What Nickelodeon series will be part of Universes Beyond?

Before diving into the picks, there’s one big question: Will this collaboration focus on a single Nickelodeon franchise—or will we see an “animation multiverse,” drawing from multiple shows?

A single-series focus might allow for a tighter, more flavorful world design (like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth). But a multiverse crossover could lean into that chaotic Nickelodeon energy, giving fans cards from TMNT, Danny Phantom, Avatar: The Last Airbender, SpongeBob SquarePants, and more. Personally, I’d love to see a singular, story-driven set first—something with depth, identity, and iconic characters that translate naturally to the MTG world.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle

Let’s start with the frontrunner: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Most fans believe the Heroes in a Half Shell will take center stage—and honestly, that’s a solid prediction. Magic has already visited the Planes of New York, so the sewer-dwelling heroes fit right in.

Each Turtle could easily lead one of four Commander decks—Leonardo (blue-white), Raphael (red-black), Donatello (blue-green), and Michelangelo (red-white)—with Splinter and Shredder rounding out the cast as legendary creatures.

The only risk? Oversaturation. If Wizards leans too heavily into character quantity over synergy, it might lose the grounded flavor that makes both Magic and TMNT special. But if they get it right, this could be one of the coolest crossover sets to date.

Transformers

This one might fly under the radar, but there’s precedent: we’ve already had a Transformers crossover through the Secret Lair drop.

Given Nickelodeon’s involvement with certain Transformers series (Transformers: EarthSpark), Wizards could use this opportunity to expand that mini-collab into a full set—perhaps even making those previously exclusive cards Standard legal.

Thematically, Transformers fits the bill: artifact-heavy mechanics, vehicle synergy, and double-faced “transform” cards already exist in Magic. A full Transformers set could easily bring those mechanics roaring back with new layers of design depth.

Danny Phantom

Now we move from speculation into pure wishlist territory. Danny Phantom has everything a flavorful Magic set needs: a strong protagonist, a ghostly theme, and plenty of room for creative mechanics. Imagine a set centered on Spirits, featuring phasing or exiling mechanics to represent ghostly intangibility. Wizards could even design a new “Ghost Hunter” ability that rewards banishing opposing spirits.

The art direction alone could make this set legendary—stylish, neon, and slightly eerie. Danny Phantom might not be the frontrunner, but it’s easily the most unique fit for Magic’s style.

Honorable Mention: El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera

Alright, I’ll admit it—this one’s a total long shot. If WoTC rolled a D20 to decide, El Tigre would be a natural 21.

Still, it’s hard not to dream. El Tigre has a dynamic hero/villain duality that would translate perfectly into Magic’s double-faced card design. Manny Rivera // El Tigre as a commander? Sign me up. Even if it never happens, El Tigre deserves the shoutout for its strong characters, bold art style, and balance of chaos and heart.

Final Thoughts

We’ll know soon enough what the Nickelodeon collaboration actually is—perhaps even at New York Comic Con this Friday. Whether it’s TMNT, Transformers, Danny Phantom, or something entirely unexpected, one thing’s for sure: Wizards of the Coast is doubling down on nostalgia, and Nickelodeon’s library is the perfect place to play.

But until the official reveal, all we can do is speculate—and dream about casting Slime Counterspell in a world where Nicktoons meet mana.