April 25–26 marked the very first Disney Lorcana Challenge in Brazil, and it proved to be nothing short of magical. As announced by the head Lore Guide at the start of the event, 445 Illumineers from across the globe enrolled for DLC São Paulo, ready to put their gameplay skills to the ultimate test.

When competitors stepped into the hall on Saturday morning, there was complimentary Disney-themed ice cream for attendees, along with small and delightful touches that gave the event an enchanted feeling.

As the weekend unfolded, a Portuguese-language livestream covered all the high-stakes action from the top tables, while those on site could enjoy dazzling cosplay, a variety of side events, and the chance to meet talented Illumineers from all over the world. By the end of it all, after 12 Swiss rounds of Core Constructed and a thrilling Top 32 single-elimination showdown, Zan Syed emerged victorious…again!

Zan Syed - Amber/Emerald

4 Bobby Zimuruski – Spray Cheese Kid

4 Della's Moon Lullaby

2 Emerald Chromicon

2 Finnick – Tiny Terror

4 Grandmother Willow – Ancient Advisor

4 Lady – Decisive Dog

4 Lady – Elegant Spaniel

4 Lady – Miss Park Avenue

4 Lilo – Escape Artist

4 Mowgli – Man Cub

4 Nani – Stage Manager

4 Rhino – One-Sixteenth Wolf

3 Tramp – Dapper Rascal

4 Tramp – Enterprising Dog

4 Tramp – Street-Smart Dog

4 Under the Sea

1 Ursula – Deceiver

Following his victories at DLC Las Vegas in September 2024 and at DLC Ghent in March 2026, Zan Syed became the first player to clinch a third Disney Lorcana Challenge trophy, forever etching his name in the storybook of the game’s history.

“Honestly, it feels like a dream,” he said. “Incredible, just unreal.” After picking up the game with The First Chapter in 2023, he committed himself to playing as often as possible and steadily refining his craft. Fiercely determined—much like Mulan, the hero of his favorite Disney film—he strung together success after success, culminating in the unprecedented achievement of becoming a three-time DLC champion.

His victory in São Paulo felt like a familiar tale, echoing his triumph in Ghent just weeks earlier. Piloting Amber-Emerald Dogs, Zan’s tournament record across two days of intense competition was again technically undefeated, showcasing both his remarkable mastery of the game and the impressive ceiling of the Dogs deck. Its core strategy remains ruthlessly efficient: flood the board with 1-cost and 2-cost glimmers to enable an early Tramp – Street-Smart Dog, then dig toward a finisher like Lady – Miss Park Avenue or Under the Sea to close the game.

“It isn't the most absolutely broken deck,” he explained. “But it's adaptable to every circumstance. You want to take the control role, there's a way to do that. You want to play the midrange plan, there’s a way to do that. You want to take the aggressive role, there’s a way to do that too.”

Of course, identifying the correct role in each matchup and translating that into precise decisions about inking, discarding, and sequencing requires a level of skill few players possess. But in the hands of a master, Dogs deck rewards that understanding like no other, and Zan Syed has proven that.

In terms of deck construction, Zan emphasized the importance of flexibility. Once the core is established, the remaining slots are carefully chosen inkable cards that shine in specific matchups or scenarios. “Then you can beat anything,” he said with a confident smile.

The inclusion of Tramp – Dapper Rascal is a perfect illustration of that philosophy. Against most Emerald or Sapphire decks, it often becomes ink, as it struggles against removal like Let It Go or Under the Sea. But versus Steel decks built on damage-based removal, it transforms into an unstoppable card draw engine, helping shore up some of the deck’s toughest matchups. After shifting onto Tramp – Enterprising Dog, it quickly overwhelms opponents, as the abundance of low-cost characters allows the deck to empty its hand at remarkable speed.

“If you haven't seen the grand finals, then watch it,” Zan said. “Six-cost Tramp really proved itself there. A lot of people adapted to Emerald Chromicon, but not to Tramp – Dapper Rascal, which is doing a similar effect… I was actually supposed to play it in Ghent, but after audibling at the last minute, I just could find them. So, I played the list I was supposed to play in Taipei, where I finished in the Top 16, and that’s the same exact 60 I played today.”

Indeed, much of Zan’s preparation came from competing in these previous two DLC events in the same format, and he felt ready and confident as he flew to Brazil. “When you pick the right deck at the beginning of the chain, it makes your life much easier,” he laughed. “Also, there are two parts to playing Lorcana. Of course, you want to become mechanically sound and understand your deck. And then there is the tournament aspect. Players, when they get on stage, become nervous and make mistakes they would never would in their room. So, the best way to prepare for a tournament is by playing a tournament, and so I advocate to put yourself in as many of these positions as possible.”

When asked about the secret to his success, he had a heartfelt answer: “Good people around you; first comes family and friends,” he said. “Shoutout to my wife Mahalia, my cat Ronnie, my mom and dad, team Rarehunters—they're my family away from my real family—and all my friends from the Club Lorcana podcast: Jeremy, Ryan, Nathan… Thanks to everyone for the support!”

Zan’s mindset was also striking: “Everything in card games is allocating time to tournaments and not putting too much pressure on yourself to get a specific result. Have fun. You know, it's a puzzle. And at the end, you might end up in the winning position. I honestly don't even look up the prizes; I don’t even know what they are half the time, because I just like the tournament part!”

These are valuable words of advice to anyone hoping to follow in his footsteps. Having won multiple DLC trophies this year, Zan Syed will undoubtedly be one of the favorites at the Season 2 World Championship.

Manuel Alcaino - Amber/Steel

4 Akood et Emuti

4 Angel – Experiment 624

4 Angel – Siren Singer

4 Chief Powhatan – Protective Leader

4 Doc – Bold Knight

4 Goliath – Clan Leader

4 He Hurled His Thunderbolt

4 Lilo – Escape Artist

4 Mowgli – Man Cub

4 Nani – Stage Manager

4 Rhino – One-Sixteenth Wolf

4 Rhino – Power Hamster

4 Stitch – Carefree Snowboarder

4 Strength of a Raging Fire

4 The Troubadour – Musical Narrator

As Zan Syed had already secured his invitation to the World Championship with his victory in Ghent last month, the coveted World Championship slot from DLC São Paulo passes down to the finalist: Manuel Alcaino. Congratulations!

Hailing from Santiago de Chile, Manuel had an amazing Disney Lorcana journey. “I started playing Disney Lorcana in December 2024,” he reflected. “It was like close to Christmas, and I needed to find some gifts for my family. So, I went to a place and found some booster packs. I tried it and I loved the game, I loved the visuals, I loved how Disney is represented.”

That spark soon grew into a vibrant flame. “I started a community in Chile with Nicolas and Joaquin, importing products from the United States and Europe to cover the needs of the community. It was all driven by passion; we wanted people to play Lorcana. We love Lorcana and Disney, and that’s why we have 23 people here from Chile this weekend. Almost the whole community is here!”

To prepare for DLC São Paulo, Manuel’s first big Lorcana tournament, the group honed their skills through small-scale local tournaments back home. “I am so happy we could practice the format in a good way. I never expected to beat the really strong players here this weekend. My goal was simply to reach six wins and make Day 2. But I never expected this; I am living a dream.”

Manuel piloted Amber-Steel to his second-place finish, which he chose because Steelsong had been his favorite archetype when he first began playing. When a friend recently told him, “this deck is working again; you should try it,” it didn’t take much convincing. The synergy between low-cost singers and powerful songs has always been compelling, and Winterspell breathed new life into the strategy with key additions like Angel – Siren Singer and Akood et Emuti. After testing several configurations, he settled on the version that carried him all the way to the finals.

“I have fifteen playsets; only consistency,” Manuel explained. “I am trying to get the card you need in every single matchup and then adapt in terms of what you draw. Mulligan decisions become much easier when you have four of everything.”

He also made some notable tweaks to the archetype: “I cut Grandmother Willow – Ancient Advisor to try to fit in Goliath – Clan Leader. I want to play my curve and once I don't have cards in hand, I can play Goliath to draw cards. I don't have to rely on only Doc – Bold Knight.”

As the finalist, Manuel receives the pass-down invitation to the Season 2 World Championship. “It means a lot”, Manuel said. “Chile is going to Worlds—that's the thing. It's all thanks to the community effort that everyone has done. It’s really satisfying. I'm really going to take it seriously… I feel even more passionate!”

It feels as though this is only the beginning of his adventure. “I really want to support the Latin America community!” he concluded.

With attendees ranging from local Brazilian players to seasoned international competitors, the overwhelming sentiment was clear: the event was something truly special. The hall itself was beautifully decorated, the people were lovely, and there was genuinely something for everyone in attendance: artist signings, a variety of side events, delicious food, a learn-to-play area for newcomers, vendors alongside the main tournament, and countless small touches that made the experience feel memorable.

I was also in attendance, and I not only walked away with several glittering prize cards, but also with the lasting memories of meeting so many passionate talented Illumineers from Brazil. There was a palpable excitement in the air—players eager to test their mettle against established names, to capture photos with DLC champions from around the globe, and to forge new friendships along the way. Meanwhile, cosplayers lit up the event with dazzling costumes and heartfelt love for the realm of Disney Lorcana, adding an extra layer of color and charm. Altogether, it was a wonderful showcase for the game’s growing community.

This enthusiasm was echoed by Daniel Dias, the highest-placing player from Brazil: “The game really arrived in Brazil in the second half of 2025, and there has been tremendous growth in Brazil since that launch. This year, it started to become popular after the DLC announcement. In São Paulo, there are many, many stores that hold weekly tournaments; it’s possible to play Disney Lorcana every day of the week if you want. I believe this growth is due to the large events that have been announced for this year. We still need more players and events in other cities besides São Paulo, but I think the game has a lot of potential to become big here.”

Daniel Dias - Amethyst/Steel

3 Angel – Experiment 624

4 Black Heron – Real Bad Egg

4 Captain Hook – Forceful Duelist

4 Cheshire Cat – Inexplicable

2 Christopher Robin – Joining the Fun

4 Demona – Scourge of the Wyvern Clan

3 Doc – Bold Knight

4 Elsa – The Fifth Spirit

3 Genie – Magical Researcher

4 Genie – Wish Fulfilled

4 Giant Cobra – Ghostly Serpent

2 Hades – Looking for a Deal

3 Olaf – Helping Hand

4 Strength of a Raging Fire

3 Yzma – Conniving Chemist

1 Dumbo – Ninth Wonder of the Universe

2 Lexington – Small in Stature

3 Palace Guard – Spectral Sentry

2 Pocahontas – Following the Wind

1 Donald Duck – Along for the Ride

As the highest-placing Amethyst-Steel player in the room, Daniel had an excellent tournament. His Top 16 finish earned him an invitation to the Brazil Championship, set for September 19–20, 2026. “Being the best Brazilian in the first DLC in our country is a great honor,” he said. “I managed to test my strength against several of the best players in the world. I feel that, given that short time Lorcana has been in Brazil, Brazilian players are still a little behind others who have been playing the game for more than two-and-a-half years, but this gap will narrow as we receive more products on time and play in more events.”

Every Brazilian competitor I spoke with shared that sense of joy and anticipation, already looking forward to the next Disney Lorcana Challenge in Brazil, which is set for July 4–5, 2026.

The Top 16 Qualified for Brazil’s Championship

The Top 16 players each secured an invitation to the Brazil Championship, set for September 19–20, 2026. In terms of their decklists, São Paulo marked the fourth Disney Lorcana Challenge event in the Winterspell Core Constructed format, following Melbourne, Ghent, and Taipei, so the metagame was well-established and carried no major surprises.

Based on the final standings below, the Top 16 featured six Dogs, six Blurple, two Amber/Steel, and two Amethyst/Steel decks. This largely aligned with expectations, though one absence stood out: no Emerald/Sapphire players managed to break through, despite DLC Champions James Gray and Edmond Chiu both piloting the archetype.

1. Zan Syed: Dogs
2. Manuel Alcaino: Amber/Steel
3. Dinh Khang Pham: Blurple
4. Josh Wong: Dogs
5. Clement Fusade: Blurple
6. Harvey Parker-Acheson: Dogs
7. Kevin Barrington: Dogs
8. Federico Mecozzi: Blurple
9. Daniele Stella: Blurple
10. Jonathan Lam: Blurple
11. James Kato: Dogs
12. Schuyler Duntz: Amber Steel
13. Frank Karsten: Dogs
14. Daniel Dias: Amethyst/Steel
15. Jamie Packham: Blurple
16. Vicente Ricardo: Amethyst/Steel

The Top 4 players—Zan Syed from the United States, Manuel Alcanio from Chile, Dinh Khang Pham from Germany, and Josh Wong from New Zealand—each earned a serialized golden Mickey Mouse – Brave Little Tailor card. The finalists’ decklists were presented earlier in this article, and the third- and fourth-place lists follow below. They offer a closer look at the cards that shaped the final chapters of this tournament’s story.

Dinh Khang Pham - Amethyst/Sapphire

4 Hades – Infernal Schemer

3 Tigger – Bouncing All the Way

4 Cheshire Cat – Inexplicable

4 Junior Woodchuck Guidebook

4 Hades – Looking for a Deal

4 Royal Guard – Octopus Soldier

4 Demona – Scourge of the Wyvern Clan

2 Iago – Giant Spectral Parrot

4 Tipo – Growing Son

3 Into the Unknown

2 Wasabi – Methodical Engineer

4 Let It Go

4 Elsa – The Fifth Spirit

4 Basil – Practiced Detective

4 Sail The Azurite Sea

2 Genie – Wish Fulfilled

4 Dumbo – Ninth Wonder of the Universe

Josh Wong - Amber/Emerald

4 Tramp – Enterprising Dog

2 Tramp – Dapper Rascal

4 Nani – Stage Manager

4 Bobby Zimuruski – Spray Cheese Kid

4 Ursula – Deceiver

2 Mowgli – Man Cub

4 Grandmother Willow – Ancient Advisor

4 Della's Moon Lullaby

4 Under The Sea

4 Tramp – Street-Smart Dog

4 Rhino – One-Sixteenth Wolf

4 Lady – Decisive Dog

2 Emerald Chromicon

4 Lady – Miss Park Avenue

4 Lady – Elegant Spaniel

2 Donald Duck – Perfect Gentleman

4 Lilo – Escape Artist