In a nutshell
- Blizzard President Johanna Faries opened BlizzCon 2026 by celebrating community, artistry, and creativity.
- BlizzCon 2026 Opening Ceremony Major reveals include Diablo V, a new StarCraft open‑world shooter, and World of Warcraft: Forever.
- Expansions, updates, and collaborations span across Warcraft III, Overwatch, Hearthstone, Diablo IV, and Heroes of the Storm.
BlizzCon 2026 is well underway, and there are already many big announcements!
Blizzard Entertainment President Johanna Faries opened BlizzCon 2026 live from Anaheim, honoring the player community: “My hope is that our coming together can remind the world why community like this matters so much, why artistry matters, why creativity matters, and why making and playing games will matter always.”
BlizzCon 2026 Opening Ceremony Recap
World of Warcraft: Forever
Launching November 5, 2026 (AEDT), World of Warcraft: Forever introduces three new zones, over 1,000 quests, nine dungeons, two raids, and the new Skyborne race. Beta begins September 18 (AEST).
Diablo V
Blizzard confirmed Diablo V for Spring 2029, set in a fallen Sanctuary where Diablo has already won. Players must confront what they must become in a world already lost.
StarCraft Returns
A bold new direction: StarCraft returns as a story‑driven open‑world shooter, scheduled for Spring 2030.
Expanding Beyond Games
Blizzard announced a Diablo animated series in development with Netflix, with more cross‑media projects to follow.
Warcraft III Forsaken Kingdom
Warcraft III Reforged receives its first new storyline in over 23 years. Forsaken Kingdom explores the fall of Lordaeron, launching today alongside the 3.0 update with graphics upgrades and a revamped World Editor.
Heroes of the Storm
Xal’atath joins the Nexus on September 29 (AEST), with PTR access starting September 15 (AEST).
Diablo IV Updates
- Season of Hell’s Legacy begins September 16 (AEST), bringing back the Prime Evils and Deckard Cain.
- Amazon class pack arrives in early 2027.
- Age of Hatred Collection launches on Switch 2 September 16, with full cross‑play and progression.
World of Warcraft Expansions
- Midnight expansion (12.2) continues The Worldsoul Saga.
- The Last Titan expansion will conclude over two decades of Warcraft storytelling, with more info in 2027.
Overwatch
- Season 5 introduces Support Hero Doctrine, reworks for Sombra and Roadhog, and new map Watchpoint: Grimsvötn.
- YOASOBI headlines the first esports halftime show.
- LE SSERAFIM closes BlizzCon weekend with a live performance and in‑game collaboration.
Hearthstone
- Monk class debuts in 2027.
- New expansion Reign of the Black Empire adds the Assemble keyword.
- Journal overhaul unifies past quests and events.
- Battlegrounds adds Aberrations, a new minion type
