Blizzard confirmed last week that BlizzCon will return in 2026 after a two-year break. Once an annual celebration of everything related to World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, and more, the convention has taken occasional pauses in recent years — often due to major events such as the COVID-19 pandemic or internal controversies. Still, the upcoming 2026 comeback feels particularly significant.

Traditionally, BlizzCon has served as the most important moment of the year for Blizzard, offering major game reveals, expansion announcements, and new project debuts. By comparison, the last BlizzCon in 2023 was relatively subdued. There were announcements, but nothing approaching the scale of past blockbuster reveals.

Why BlizzCon 2026 Matters

Given the extended hiatus, expectations for BlizzCon 2026 are extremely high. Many fans believe the event could deliver announcements on the scale of BlizzCon 2019, when Blizzard unveiled both Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4. New expansions and content updates are almost certain for Blizzard’s mainline titles — Diablo 4, Overwatch 2, Diablo Immortal, World of Warcraft, and Hearthstone. Beyond that, the company’s future roadmap is a mystery.

For years, fans expected updates on Blizzard’s ambitious MMO project Titan, but that title was officially canceled earlier this year. If the studio shows up in 2026 with nothing but updates to existing games, the event will likely be seen as a letdown. After a long gap between conventions, fans are hoping for something fresh, bold, and unexpected. The studio has not revealed a brand-new game in three years, and recent releases have largely been sequels or mobile spin-offs.

Major Past BlizzCon Reveals

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

The Microsoft Factor

Another major reason expectations are sky-high: Blizzard now operates under Microsoft. While Microsoft completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard King shortly before BlizzCon 2023, the timing and legal hurdles left little room for Blizzard to prepare major reveals. The following two years saw BlizzCon canceled completely.

BlizzCon 2026 will therefore be the first event fully shaped under Microsoft’s leadership — a chance for the parent company to signal its long-term vision for Blizzard and Xbox. Fans are eager to see how Blizzard’s iconic franchises fit into Microsoft's broader strategy. Game Pass integration is one possibility that has seen small steps but has yet to reach the level many were hoping for.

Microsoft also has a track record of combining studio resources to support key projects. The cancellation of Titan may reflect a strategic shift toward a different, unannounced game that Microsoft considers a higher priority.

What Could Be Announced at BlizzCon 2026?

Two dormant giants — Warcraft and StarCraft — loom over every BlizzCon speculation thread. Either series receiving a proper sequel announcement would instantly dominate headlines and give the convention the kind of energy Blizzard hasn’t generated in years.

World of Warcraft

By BlizzCon 2026, World of Warcraft: Midnight will be out, making it the perfect moment to showcase its follow-up expansion, The Last Titan — the concluding chapter of the Worldsoul Saga. Anticipation for this finale is extremely high, and Blizzard could even tease what lies beyond the saga’s ending.

Rumors about WoW Classic+ have also been circulating. This concept revolves around adding brand-new content to the original vanilla experience rather than re-releasing past expansions. Although the idea is somewhat difficult to define, fan interest remains strong.

Other Blizzard Titles

• Diablo 4, Overwatch 2, Diablo Immortal, and Hearthstone will almost certainly share updates, expansions, and seasonal content.
• However, these updates are expected — not the big surprises fans are hoping for.

The Risk — and the Opportunity

BlizzCon 2026 could go either way. It might end up being a routine event focused on minor updates, which would feel underwhelming after a two-year gap. But with Microsoft’s backing and the community hungry for major announcements, Blizzard has a real opportunity to redefine its future.

If Titan is no longer Blizzard’s next big thing, then something else must take its place. Fans are hoping 2026 is the year those plans finally come to light.

BlizzCon returns in September 2026, and expectations have never been higher.