Blizzard Entertainment President on BlizzCon 2026, 35th Anniversary Plans - Variety
December 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM
BlizzCon 2026 is back—and Blizzard Entertainment is planning its biggest year yet as the company celebrates its 35th anniversary.
In a pre–Game Awards interview, Blizzard president Johanna Faries framed a buzzy Diablo IV reveal as the kickoff to a landmark 2026, with major beats across the studio’s top franchises and a fan-first return to Anaheim.
What’s coming in 2026
- BlizzCon returns in September to the Anaheim Convention Center after a 2024–2025 hiatus following Microsoft’s 2023 acquisition. Faries says the pause was about giving teams time to deliver the best possible show. Early ticket demand signals fans are eager to reunite.
- World of Warcraft: The much-anticipated Midnight expansion lands in March.
- Diablo at 30: The franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary alongside Diablo IV’s Lord of Hatred update, teased around The Game Awards.
- Overwatch at 10: The hero shooter marks a decade with anniversary plans.
Faries’ vision for Blizzard’s next era
- Modernize the studio’s iconic IP while honoring its legacy.
- “Surprise and delight” fans with fresh takes across the portfolio.
- Scale up the scope and ambition of BlizzCon to reflect Blizzard’s goal of being the world’s leading gaming and entertainment company.
- Expect momentum-building reveals in the run-up to BlizzCon—not just at the show.
Why the timing matters
- Faries, who became Blizzard president in 2024 after two years overseeing Call of Duty at Activision and a decade-plus in NFL business and marketing roles, says 2026 is an all-hands effort. The team is studying past BlizzCon playbooks to deliver the event’s heart and soul—while expanding its scope with new ideas.
Bottom line: Blizzard is treating its 35th anniversary as a springboard, with BlizzCon 2026 positioned to showcase ambitious updates across World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch—and to set the tone for the company’s next decade.
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