Kai Budde

Kai Budde (28 October 1979 – 19 January 2026) was a German Magic: The Gathering player who holds the record for Pro Tour victories, and for many years held the records for earnings and lifetime Pro Points. His performances earned him the nicknames "The (German) Juggernaut" and "King of the Grand Prix". Budde left the game in late 2004 to focus on his studies, and his appearances in tournaments became less frequent than in earlier years. He is widely considered to be one of the all-time greatest Magic: The Gathering players.

Budde won five individual Pro Tour titles (no other player has won more than three), including the 1999 Magic World Championship, as well as two Team Pro Tour titles (alongside fellow Germans Marco Blume and Dirk Baberowski). His cash winnings in six years of premier Magic: The Gathering tournaments are well over $300,000. He was also awarded a record four Player of the Year titles: 1999, 2001, 2002, and 2003. On 29 June 2024, the Magic the Gathering Player of the Year-trophy was renamed in his honor.

Budde also won the 2001 Magic Invitational tournament in Cape Town. His prize was the rare opportunity to design an actual card; the result was Voidmage Prodigy. In 2007, he was inducted into the Pro-Tour Hall of Fame. He died in January 2026.