BlizzCon 2026 Announces StarCraft’s Return, Diablo V, and Warcraft Updates

What we know

BlizzCon 2026 opened with major announcements across Blizzard’s franchises. The opening ceremony confirmed that StarCraft will return in 2030 as an original open-world shooter, while Diablo V is planned for spring 2029.

The next Diablo takes place after Sanctuary has fallen and Diablo has won. Its central premise explores what becomes of those left behind once the world they knew is gone.

Diablo IV marks the series anniversary and adds a new class

Before then, Diablo IV: Season of Hell’s Legacy launches on September 15 as part of Diablo’s 30th anniversary. The season brings back the Prime Evils, including the Lord of Terror, alongside Deckard Cain, Nightmare Rifts, anniversary rewards, and gear drawn from every era of the series.

The Amazon will join Diablo IV as its next class in the first half of 2027. Blizzard also announced the return of Moophisto. Xbox players can save 75% on Diablo IV and up to 30% on Diablo II: Resurrected content through September 22.

Overwatch, Warcraft, and Hearthstone outline what is next

Overwatch Season 5 introduces Doctrine, a vampire-inspired Support hero who drains life and deploys bat-like drones. It will also include major reworks for Sombra and Roadhog, plus the Watchpoint: Grimsvotn map. The season concludes The Reign of Talon, the game’s first year-long story arc. The next Overwatch Spotlight is scheduled for February 2027.

For Warcraft, Eclipse (12.2) is World of Warcraft’s next major update and sees Xal’atath closing in on Azeroth’s Worldsoul. Blizzard also offered a look at The Last Titan, the final chapter of The Worldsoul Saga, with more details set for early next year.

Meanwhile, Warcraft III: Reforged’s Forsaken Kingdom campaign and its 3.0 update are available now. The campaign revisits the fall of Lordaeron and its transition into the Undercity, while the update delivers a substantial graphics overhaul and a revamped World Editor. Warcraft III: Reforged is included with Xbox Game Pass, though the DLC is required to access the new campaign.

World of Warcraft: Forever launches on November 4, 2026, with its beta beginning on September 17. It will offer a third way to play alongside Modern and Classic, set during the Vanilla era. The mode includes three new zones, more than 1,000 quests, nine dungeons, two raids, and the Skyborne race.

Hearthstone is overhauling its Journal to bring quests, achievements, and events together in one place, connected through each expansion’s story. Reign of the Black Empire arrives on October 20 and travels to an early era of Azeroth, before the Old Gods were imprisoned. Its Assemble keyword combines two cards into a stronger card. Battlegrounds adds the Aberrations minion type on September 22, while the Monk arrives in March 2027 as the game’s first new playable class in six years.

More news for Heroes of the Storm and Diablo

Xal’atath joins Heroes of the Storm on September 28, following PTR availability from September 14.

Blizzard also confirmed that an animated series set in the Diablo universe is in development with Netflix. No further details were shared.

The BlizzCon livestream continues through the weekend with panels, deeper dives, and other events. The most immediate dates are Diablo IV: Season of Hell’s Legacy on September 15, the World of Warcraft: Forever beta on September 17, and Forever’s full release on November 4.