BlizzCon 2026 Ought to Be Blizzard’s Largest Occasion Ever: Here is What to Count on

Final week, Blizzard introduced that BlizzCon would make its return in 2026 after a two-year hiatus. Whereas the celebration of all issues Blizzard, from World of Warcraft to Diablo to Overwatch, had been an annual staple of the conference circuit, it has taken periodic breaks in more moderen years. Normally, these breaks are for good cause (i.e. COVID, controversies), however BlizzCon’s return in 2026 after a two-year break is important.

Traditionally, BlizzCon is the point of interest of the yr the place Blizzard publicizes new video games, content material releases for present video games, and spin-off tasks. The final BlizzCon in 2023, nevertheless, was pretty delicate by conference requirements. There have been bulletins however nothing that may be thought of a bombshell reveal.

Contemplating the two-year hiatus, it stands to cause that BlizzCon 2026 will characteristic some main bulletins, presumably on the extent not seen since BlizzCon 2019 when Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4 have been each revealed. The expectation is that Blizzard will talk about new expansions and add-ons for its standard titles just like the aforementioned Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2, in addition to Diablo Immortal, World of Warcraft, and Hearthstone, however past that, the studio’s plans are a thriller. For a time, we anticipated to listen to extra concerning the mysterious MMO Titan at every BlizzCon, however that undertaking was canceled earlier this yr.

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If Blizzard solely talks about present tasks, although, then the present will go down as a disappointment. This is a chance for Blizzard to make a giant splash, and that hole between BlizzCons has solely constructed up anticipation for what the studio may reveal. It has been three years since Blizzard revealed a brand new sport, however these have been both sequels (Overwatch 2, Diablo 4) or cell spin-offs (Warcraft Rumble).

The Final Main BlizzCon Bulletins

BlizzCon 2014: Overwatch
BlizzCon 2018: Diablo Immortal, Warcraft 3: Reforged
BlizzCon 2019: Overwatch 2, Diablo 4

The opposite huge aspect that means BlizzCon 2026 will probably be an enormous occasion is Blizzard’s new dad or mum firm. Though Microsoft had newly acquired Activision Blizzard King earlier than BlizzCon 2023, the acquisition had solely simply accomplished proper earlier than the occasion. The prolonged authorized course of that Microsoft needed to undergo prevented Blizzard from getting ready any main bulletins for that yr’s BlizzCon. After which the next two BlizzCon occasions have been cancelled.

So this isn’t only a huge BlizzCon for Blizzard however Microsoft and Xbox as nicely. That is the dad or mum firm’s alternative to showcase what course it hopes to take the studio underneath its management. It’s an opportunity for followers to raised perceive the highway forward. Clearly, World of Warcraft and the opposite main IP are going to issue into these plans, however what else is likely to be within the works?

There have been some partnerships between Blizzard and Sport Cross, however not on the stage that some might need hoped. Admittedly, Sport Cross is in a bizarre spot as of late, with the value will increase having followers query its attraction, however a deeper synergy between the subscription service and Blizzard’s library may very well be a significant shot within the arm for each.

On high of that, Microsoft and Xbox have leveraged its secure of studios to assist the event of tasks it believes in. 343 Studios (now Halo Studios) helped Obsidian Leisure with The Outer Worlds 2, for instance. Maybe the cancellation of Titan was in service of diverting sources in the direction of a undertaking that Microsoft extra strongly believes in.

What to Count on from BlizzCon 2026

Each the Warcraft and StarCraft manufacturers have lain dormant for some time now, however that would very nicely change at BlizzCon 2026. If Blizzard have been to announce a correct sequel in both (or each) franchise that may absolutely make for an enormous conference. Not since Diablo 4 was confirmed, after Diablo Immortal was introduced to a tepid response, has Blizzard come out with an announcement that generates the kind of buzz that the studio is used to.

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World of Warcraft may have launched its Midnight enlargement, so the expectation is BlizzCon 2026 will play host to new data and a correct reveal for The Last Titan expansion. As the ultimate chapter within the Worldsoul Saga, The Final Titan has loads of anticipation behind it and will doubtless be a significant occasion for an MMO that has seen its fair proportion of them. Whether or not or not, Blizzard would possibly reveal what lies on the opposite facet of The Final Titan and the conclusion of the Worldsoul Saga, nevertheless, is anybody’s guess.

There have additionally been rumors that World of Warcraft will launch Traditional+, an enlargement on the “Vanilla” expertise somewhat than a retread of what has already been launched. It is exhausting to outline what followers need out of Traditional+, however the concept appears to be new content material that retains within the spirit of WoW Vanilla. How that’s completely different from new WoW expansions is a bit complicated, however the need for Traditional+ continues to be there.

Diablo 4, Overwatch 2, Diablo Immortal, and Hearthstone are more likely to reveal new items of content material throughout BlizzCon 2026, however once more, that’s par for the course. It’s what we don’t know about that’s the most intriguing and the place BlizzCon can actually shock attendees.

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Or BlizzCon 2026 may very well be pretty boring by conference requirements. Saying new content material for the studio’s library of titles is, at this level, the naked minimal for an occasion like this, and after a two-year hiatus. With Microsoft’s backing, it is a main alternative for Blizzard to ascertain what its future seems to be like. If Titan isn’t to be the reply transferring ahead, then one thing have to be. Hopefully, we discover out the solutions to that query (and extra) when BlizzCon returns in September 2026.