Blizzard has published the full BlizzCon 2026 schedule ahead of the convention’s return to Anaheim. The event runs on September 12 and 13 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The Opening Ceremony begins on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. PDT or 7:30 p.m. CEST. Major panels and esports tournaments will stream free through official Blizzard channels.
BlizzCon 2026 Schedule Key Takeaways:
- BlizzCon 2026 takes place on September 12–13 at the Anaheim Convention Center.
- The Opening Ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. PDT on September 12.
- World of Warcraft receives two What’s Next panels and several development sessions.
- Diablo gets a franchise-wide update and a separate Diablo IV: What’s Next panel.
- Overwatch developers will reveal a new Hero and preview upcoming gameplay changes.
- Major panels and esports tournaments will stream free on Twitch, YouTube, and Battle.net.
- YOASOBI and LE SSERAFIM performances will only be available to in-person attendees.
BlizzCon 2026 Event Highlights
The BlizzCon 2026 schedule includes several panels that should bring actual game announcements. Some lighter community and development sessions will run between them. Here are the biggest confirmed events at BlizzCon 2026:
- Two separate World of Warcraft: What’s Next panels will run on Day 1.
- A World of Warcraft Deep Dive follows early on Day 2.
- Diablo receives a franchise-wide Developer Update and a separate Diablo IV panel.
- The Overwatch Hero Deep Dive will cover a new Hero and upcoming gameplay changes.
- Hearthstone developers will reveal fresh cards, features, and new ways to play.
- The Overwatch World Cup, MDI, AWC, Hearthstone World Championship, and Classic Cup return.
- LE SSERAFIM will perform after the Closing Remarks for attendees in Anaheim.
There is no dedicated StarCraft announcement panel in the current schedule. StarCraft II and StarCraft: Remastered still appear during the Classic Cup.
BlizzCon 2026 Day 1 Schedule
Saturday carries most of the big reveal panels. The two World of Warcraft presentations sit around the Diablo Developer Update, which makes this a busy evening for European viewers. The table below covers the main BlizzCon developer panels and community events. CEST sessions after midnight fall on September 13:
| Time PDT | Time CEST | Panel or Event | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:30–11:45 a.m. | 7:30–8:45 p.m. | Opening Ceremony | Main Stage |
| 12:00–12:45 p.m. | 9:00–9:45 p.m. | World of Warcraft: What’s Next | Main Stage |
| 12:00–12:45 p.m. | 9:00–9:45 p.m. | Overwatch Dev Livestream: Live from BlizzCon! | Legends Stage |
| 1:00–1:45 p.m. | 10:00–10:45 p.m. | TrailerCraft | Legends Stage |
| 1:45–2:30 p.m. | 10:45–11:30 p.m. | Diablo: Developer Update | Main Stage |
| 2:00–2:45 p.m. | 11:00–11:45 p.m. | Building Cutscenes in World of Warcraft | Legends Stage |
| 2:30–3:15 p.m. | 11:30 p.m.–12:15 a.m. | Custodians of Legacy Games | Classic Cup Stage |
| 2:45–3:30 p.m. | 11:45 p.m.–12:30 a.m. | World of Warcraft: What’s Next II | Main Stage |
| 3:00–3:45 p.m. | 12:00–12:45 a.m. | Hearthstone: What’s Next | Hearthstone Stage |
| 3:00–4:00 p.m. | 12:00–1:00 a.m. | The World of Blizzard Sound Design | Legends Stage |
| 3:30–4:15 p.m. | 12:30–1:15 a.m. | Classic Game Deep Dive | Classic Cup Stage |
| 3:45–4:30 p.m. | 12:45–1:30 a.m. | Overwatch: Hero Deep Dive | Main Stage |
| 4:15–5:15 p.m. | 1:15–2:15 a.m. | The Art of Darkness: Behind Diablo IV’s Cinematics | Legends Stage |
| 4:45–7:00 p.m. | 1:45–4:00 a.m. | BlizzCon Community Night | Main Stage |
| 5:30–6:30 p.m. | 2:30–3:30 a.m. | Kinda Funny Live from BlizzCon | Legends Stage |
The first WoW: What’s Next panel promises a look at the next chapter of Azeroth. The second will cover upcoming adventures, features, and updates. Blizzard has not explained why the presentation needs two separate slots. It also has not connected either panel to a specific version of the game.
BlizzCon 2026 Day 2 Schedule
Sunday moves away from rapid announcements and spends more time on longer development discussions. World of Warcraft still holds several major slots, including its opening Deep Dive. CEST events after midnight take place on September 14.
| Time PDT | Time CEST | Panel or Event | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:30–10:30 a.m. | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | 30 Years of Battle.net with CD Projekt Red | Legends Stage |
| 10:00–10:45 a.m. | 7:00–7:45 p.m. | World of Warcraft: Deep Dive | Main Stage |
| 10:45–11:30 a.m. | 7:45–8:30 p.m. | WoW: Crafting Coziness & Creative Freedom | Legends Stage |
| 11:00–11:45 a.m. | 8:00–8:45 p.m. | Diablo IV: What’s Next | Main Stage |
| 11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | 8:45–9:30 p.m. | World Building in World of Warcraft | Legends Stage |
| 12:00–2:00 p.m. | 9:00–11:00 p.m. | QuestWatch: Live!!! | Main Stage |
| 12:45–1:45 p.m. | 9:45–10:45 p.m. | Villains of Blizzard | Legends Stage |
| 2:00–2:45 p.m. | 11:00–11:45 p.m. | Collaborative Storytelling in SFD | Legends Stage |
| 2:15–3:00 p.m. | 11:15 p.m.–12:00 a.m. | World of Warcraft: Design Deep Dive | Main Stage |
| 3:00–3:45 p.m. | 12:00–12:45 a.m. | OW Dev Livestream: Live from BlizzCon! | Legends Stage |
| 3:15–4:00 p.m. | 12:15–1:00 a.m. | Hearthstone: Battlegrounds Design | Hearthstone Stage |
| 3:15–5:30 p.m. | 12:15–2:30 a.m. | Voices of Blizzard | Main Stage |
| 4:00–4:45 p.m. | 1:00–1:45 a.m. | Localization: Bringing Blizzard’s Worlds Together | Legends Stage |
| 4:15–5:00 p.m. | 1:15–2:00 a.m. | World of Warcraft Hardcore: What’s Next | WoW Stage |
| 5:30–5:45 p.m. | 2:30–2:45 a.m. | Closing Remarks | Main Stage |
| 6:00–7:00 p.m. | 3:00–4:00 a.m. | LE SSERAFIM Live Performance | Main Stage |
The Diablo IV: What’s Next panel will celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary. Developers plan to preview upcoming Diablo IV content and features during the presentation. QuestWatch: Live!!! is not a standard Overwatch update panel. Matt Mercer will lead Overwatch voice actors through a live tabletop role-playing adventure.
BlizzCon 2026 Esports Schedule
Five competitive programs will run alongside the developer panels. Anyone watching several Blizzard games will need to keep multiple streams open or catch replays later. The Day 1 BlizzCon 2026 esports program includes:
- Overwatch World Cup quarterfinals from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. PDT.
- MDI Grand Finals matches from 12:45 to 3:15 p.m. PDT.
- The MDI Championship Match from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. PDT.
- Hearthstone World Championship quarterfinals throughout the afternoon.
- Heroes of the Storm and Warcraft III Classic Cup matches.
BlizzCon 2026 Day 2 brings the deciding matches:
- Overwatch World Cup semifinals begin at 9:00 a.m. PDT.
- The Overwatch World Cup Final begins at 2:45 p.m. PDT.
- YOASOBI performs during the in-room World Cup halftime show.
- AWC Grand Finals matches begin at 10:45 a.m. PDT.
- The AWC Championship Match begins at 5:00 p.m. PDT.
- Hearthstone semifinals begin at 9:45 a.m. PDT, followed by the Final at 1:00 p.m.
- StarCraft II and StarCraft: Remastered matches run on the Classic Cup Stage.
Both YOASOBI and LE SSERAFIM are listed as in-room experiences. Blizzard will not include these performances in the free online broadcast.
Biggest BlizzCon 2026 Panels
World of Warcraft clearly has the largest part of the BlizzCon 2026 schedule. Two announcement panels feed directly into Sunday’s systems and design presentations.
The unusual part is Blizzard’s decision to keep both What’s Next descriptions broad. Neither description names a specific expansion, patch, or Classic project. Players expecting a major Azeroth reveal should start with Saturday’s first panel.
Overwatch has one clearly confirmed reveal. Its Hero Deep Dive will show how developers created a new Hero and preview future gameplay updates.
Diablo follows a similar two-part format. Saturday focuses on the wider franchise, while Sunday moves directly into upcoming Diablo IV content.
Hearthstone fans can expect new cards, features, and play options during Saturday’s What’s Next panel. A separate Battlegrounds Design session follows on Sunday.
How to Watch BlizzCon 2026
The BlizzCon 2026 livestream will be free through YouTube, Twitch, and Battle.net. Major panels, ceremonies, and esports matches will appear across separate game channels.
Viewers should check the channel schedule before the show begins. Some development sessions and on-site activities may not receive an online broadcast. Musical performances will remain exclusive to attendees at the Anaheim Convention Center. This restriction covers both YOASOBI and LE SSERAFIM.
BlizzCon 2026 Viewership Rewards
Blizzard will offer drops for watching eligible Twitch and YouTube streams. A linked Battle.net account is required before watch time begins.
| Game | Watch Requirement | BlizzCon 2026 Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| World of Warcraft | 2, 4, 8, and 12 hours | 200 Trader’s Tender, Cuddly Blue Grrgle decor, Flying Quilt mount, banner toy |
| Overwatch Day 1 | Up to 8 hours | Jetpack Cat skins, icon, sprays, name card, loot boxes, Event Currency |
| Overwatch Day 2 | Up to 8 hours | Domina skins, icon, sprays, name card, loot boxes, Event Currency |
| Diablo IV | 2, 4, and 6 hours on Twitch | Serrated Skean, Corroded Cleaver, and Tintinnabulation weapon cosmetics |
| Hearthstone | 2 hours each day | Escape from Violet Hold card packs and one Golden pack |
| Heroes of the Storm | 1 hour on September 12 | Seven-day boost |
| StarCraft | 1 hour on September 12 or 13 | Ten-day XP boost |
World of Warcraft rewards remain available on Twitch through September 27. Its YouTube reward window only covers the two convention days.
Attendees can receive all viewership rewards by linking their BlizzCon Pass before September 18. Blizzard expects to deliver attendee rewards by September 28.