Blizzard's 2026 Plan: Biggest Year Yet as BlizzCon Returns and 35th Anniversary Unveiled

A New Era for Blizzard Entertainment

Blizzard Entertainment is celebrating its 35th anniversary, and the company is making it clear that this milestone is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter. During an interview with DISCOVERTREND ahead of The Game Awards in Los Angeles on December 11, Blizzard Entertainment president Johanna Faries shared her vision for the future of the company. She emphasized that the release of "Diablo IV" and its latest update, "Lord of Hatred," marks not just a significant moment for the franchise but also a launchpad for what's to come in 2026.

Faries highlighted that the year ahead will be packed with major updates and releases across Blizzard's portfolio. This includes the highly anticipated "Midnight" expansion for "World of Warcraft" in March, the 30th anniversary celebrations for the "Diablo" franchise, and the 10th anniversary of "Overwatch." However, one of the most anticipated events is the return of BlizzCon, the beloved fan convention that was skipped in 2024 and 2025 following Microsoft's acquisition of the company in 2023.

The Return of BlizzCon

The decision to bring back BlizzCon was not solely driven by the change in ownership under Microsoft. According to Faries, the delay was more about giving the teams at Blizzard the time they needed to prepare for the best possible event for their community.

"This is all about gathering together as fans of Blizzard. And to see even the early response and announcing our ticket sales has been a tremendous indicator that there's a lot of demand to come back together as one," Faries said.

The process of reviving BlizzCon involved learning from previous editions of the event. Faries and her team focused on maintaining the same tone as previous leadership while incorporating new ideas. They asked themselves key questions: What would speak to their fans? What do they want to see? What are the bread and butter expectations? How can they surprise and delight their audience?

A Vision for the Future

Faries, who joined Blizzard as president in 2024 after serving as general manager of the "Call of Duty" franchise at sister company Activision, emphasized that the goal is to invest in Blizzard's iconic intellectual properties (IPs) while modernizing them. She believes the company is focusing on creating fresh takes that will keep them competitive in the gaming industry for the next few decades.

"The message behind the stacked year is that Blizzard is investing in this iconic IP that we have across our entire portfolio, and really thinking about modernizing it, surprising and delighting our fans, being beholden to legacy where it matters, but also really doing some fresh takes that really put us into the next decade or three decades," Faries explained.

She added that the return of BlizzCon is a reflection of this vision. "BlizzCon in '26 hopefully puts us in a position to really reflect that ambition in a bigger way. So I have total confidence that the teams are going to come very, very big, both with the heart and soul of what I think our core-most fans long for in a BlizzCon, but also bringing some very new things to the table."

Looking Ahead

As Blizzard moves forward, the focus remains on delivering experiences that resonate with fans while pushing the boundaries of what gaming and entertainment can offer. With a strong lineup of upcoming releases and the return of BlizzCon, the company is setting the stage for what could be its most ambitious year yet.

Faries concluded by expressing her confidence in the teams at Blizzard. "And it's all part of this new, bold vision for the future, as I mentioned before." She believes that the combination of legacy, innovation, and a deep connection to the fan community will ensure that Blizzard continues to thrive in the years to come.