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2026 BlizzCon Guide: Dates, Streams, Full Schedule, Expansion Leaks & Every Reward (WoW / Diablo Deep Dive)
On September 12–13, 2026, BlizzCon returns to the Anaheim Convention Center in California. This is the first time Blizzard has raised the banner again after a two-year hiatus — and this time, every single in-person ticket sold out.
The bigger headline: the entire show streams free. You don't need a ticket. With an internet connection you can watch the Opening Ceremony, the main-stage panels, and every esports Grand Final on YouTube, Twitch, or the Battle.net client.
And if you only care about one thing — "are they announcing a new expansion?" — the answer is: very likely yes, and more than one. Blizzard deliberately kept parts of the schedule and the floor plan classified, saying certain areas will only be revealed during the Opening Ceremony. In Blizzard's history, that usually means one thing: a major reveal is being held back for the keynote.
Part 1: One-Minute Overview
Lock down the hard facts first so you're not scrolling chat logs at 3 AM looking for a start time.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | BlizzCon 2026 |
| Dates | September 12 (Sat) – September 13 (Sun), 2026 |
| Location | Anaheim Convention Center, CA (800 W. Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA) |
| Show floor hours | 09:00–19:00 PDT daily |
| Security / early queue | From 06:00 PDT daily |
| Opening Ceremony | Sept 12, 10:30 PDT (17:30 UTC / 19:30 CEST) |
| Ticket status | Completely sold out — no tickets remain |
| Livestream | Free · YouTube / Twitch / Battle.net |
| What's streamed | Opening Ceremony, main-stage panels, esports finals (musical performances are not streamed) |
| Featured performances | LE SSERAFIM (closing) · YOASOBI (Overwatch World Cup halftime) |
| Esports prize pool | AWC + MDI combined $600,000 |
| Digital bundle cutoff | September 28, 2026 (Battle.net Shop) |
| Pass linking deadline | September 14, 2026 (PT) per Battle.net Shop terms — see Part 5 |
One-line summaryTickets are gone, but the stream is free. The Opening Ceremony is Sept 12 at 17:30 UTC / 19:30 CEST, and the first Warcraft main-stage panel follows at 19:00 UTC / 21:00 CEST.
Part 2: How to Watch — Set Your Alarm First
Where to watch
| Platform | Notes |
|---|---|
| YouTube | Official Blizzard channel — main stage + esports, includes viewer drops |
| Twitch | Official Blizzard channel plus partner co-streams; drops most commonly granted here |
| Battle.net | Embedded player inside the launcher — least setup required |
ImportantBlizzard confirmed that the Opening Ceremony, major panels, and esports competitions will be streamed — but musical performances (LE SSERAFIM, YOASOBI, etc.) and some other elements will not be. Those are exclusive to attendees at the Anaheim Convention Center. If you want LE SSERAFIM's stage, you have to be in the room.
Time zone conversion table
| PDT (Anaheim) | CEST (EU) | UTC | What's happening |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/12 06:00 | 9/12 15:00 | 9/12 13:00 | Security opens, early queue |
| 9/12 09:00 | 9/12 18:00 | 9/12 16:00 | Show floor opens |
| 9/12 10:30 | 9/12 19:30 | 9/12 17:30 | Opening Ceremony (Main Stage · Hall D) |
| 9/12 12:00 | 9/12 21:00 | 9/12 19:00 | World of Warcraft: What's Next |
| 9/12 14:45 | 9/12 23:45 | 9/12 21:45 | World of Warcraft: What's Next II |
| 9/12 16:45 | 9/13 02:45 | 9/12 23:45 | BlizzCon Community Night |
| 9/13 10:00 | 9/13 19:00 | 9/13 17:00 | World of Warcraft: Deep Dive |
| 9/13 16:15 | 9/14 01:15 | 9/13 23:15 | WoW Hardcore: What's Next |
| 9/13 18:00 | 9/14 03:00 | 9/14 01:00 | Closing performance (LE SSERAFIM — not streamed) |
Watch to earn rewards: watching eligible streams on Twitch or the official World of Warcraft YouTube channel unlocks in-game rewards — rewards and eligibility vary by game, stream, and platform. In-person attendees, meanwhile, must link their BlizzCon Pass to their Battle.net account to claim the BlizzCon Ultimate Collection and all available rewards.
Part 3: The Full Schedule — Four Warcraft Panels Worth an Alarm
World of Warcraft panels (Main Stage)
| PDT | CEST | UTC | Panel | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/12 12:00 | 9/12 21:00 | 9/12 19:00 | What's Next | First look at Azeroth's next chapter — new adventures, features, surprises |
| 9/12 14:00 | 9/12 23:00 | 9/12 21:00 | Cinematics: Behind the Scenes | Storyboards, performance, animation, lighting, final polish |
| 9/12 14:45 | 9/12 23:45 | 9/12 21:45 | What's Next II | The dev team previews upcoming adventures, features, and updates |
| 9/12 15:30 | 9/13 00:30 | 9/12 22:30 | Devs × Creators Showcase | Live gameplay, conversation, community interaction |
| 9/13 10:00 | 9/13 19:00 | 9/13 17:00 | Deep Dive | The systems, adventures, and design philosophy shaping the next journey |
| 9/13 10:45 | 9/13 19:45 | 9/13 17:45 | Housing | How Housing is evolving into a sandbox for creative freedom and expression |
| 9/13 11:45 | 9/13 20:45 | 9/13 18:45 | World Building | Culture, geography, visual language, history, and detail |
| 9/13 13:15 | 9/13 22:15 | 9/13 20:15 | Art Design | Strengthening familiar landscapes while keeping Azeroth's spirit intact |
| 9/13 14:15 | 9/13 23:15 | 9/13 21:15 | Design Deep Dive | A close-up breakdown of the design process |
| 9/13 16:15 | 9/14 01:15 | 9/13 23:15 | Hardcore: What's Next | Hardcore design, community stories, the one-life survival challenge |
| 9/13 17:20 | 9/14 02:20 | 9/14 00:20 | Closing Remarks | Main stage wrap-up |
If you only have time for twoWatch What's Next (Sept 12, 19:00 UTC / 21:00 CEST) and What's Next II (Sept 12, 21:45 UTC / 23:45 CEST). The first has historically carried the expansion reveal; the second has often been where Classic news lands.
Esports (fully streamed)
| PDT | CEST | UTC | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/12 12:45 | 9/12 21:45 | 9/12 19:45 | MDI 2026 Grand Finals: Dignitas vs Big Lucky |
| 9/12 14:00 | 9/12 23:00 | 9/12 21:00 | MDI 2026 Grand Finals: Liquid vs Mandatory |
| 9/12 16:30 | 9/13 01:30 | 9/12 23:30 | Classic Cup: Warcraft III Legends (TeD vs ToD) |
| 9/12 17:30 | 9/13 02:30 | 9/13 00:30 | MDI 2026 Grand Finals: Championship Match |
| 9/12 17:45 | 9/13 02:45 | 9/13 00:45 | Classic Cup: Warcraft III 2v2 Showmatch |
| 9/13 10:45 | 9/13 19:45 | 9/13 17:45 | AWC Grand Finals: F Tier vs Guild Bean (Top 4) |
| 9/13 12:00 | 9/13 21:00 | 9/13 19:00 | AWC Grand Finals: Streamerzonegg vs One Lun Travel (Top 4) |
| 9/13 14:00 | 9/13 23:00 | 9/13 21:00 | AWC 2026 Semifinal: Echo vs TBD |
| 9/13 15:00 | 9/14 00:00 | 9/13 22:00 | AWC 2026 Semifinal: Gators Back vs TBD |
| 9/13 17:00 | 9/14 02:00 | 9/14 00:00 | AWC 2026 Grand Final |
| 9/13 18:30 | 9/14 03:30 | 9/14 01:30 | Awards Ceremony |
The AWC (Arena World Championship) and MDI (Mythic Dungeon International) share a $600,000 combined prize pool. Echo sitting in the semifinal bracket is one of the biggest storylines of this year's AWC. Watching esports on-site is free for badge holders — seating is first come, first served.
Other game panels
Diablo: Diablo developer update on Sept 13 (CEST morning); Diablo IV cinematics behind the scenes; Diablo IV: What's Next — the headline slot for Diablo fans.
Overwatch: Overwatch World Cup, with a live YOASOBI performance at halftime.
Hearthstone: Hearthstone Masters Tour World Championship.
Special guest: CD Projekt Red, the studio behind The Witcher, takes the stage on day two — fueling a wave of crossover speculation.
Part 4: Expansion Leak Predictions — Confirmed vs. Rumour
The secrecy this year is clearly intentional: the official schedule has blank blocks, and parts of the floor plan stay classified until the Opening Ceremony. Here's what we know, plus the industry consensus — treat the Opening Ceremony as the only source of truth.
World of Warcraft
| Topic | Confidence | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 12.x roadmap | High | A 12.1.7 / 12.2 roadmap with dates is very likely |
| 13.0 "The Last Titan" | Medium-high | Possible reveal, themed around the Titans and Azeroth's final fate |
| Classic Plus | Medium (speculative) | Widely predicted for "What's Next II" — if true, the Classic news of the year |
| Hardcore new content | High | It has its own panel, so new content is a given |
| Housing expansion | High | A dedicated panel confirms it's a current-version priority |
Diablo
| Topic | Confidence | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Diablo IV's 3rd expansion | Medium-high | Rumoured finished; Lord of Hatred launched recently, so the cadence is fast |
| Two new Diablo IV classes | Medium | Datamined leads stacked on expansion-completion rumours |
| Diablo IV Season 15 | High | Soul shards, challenge dungeons, returning legendaries already known |
| Diablo II: Resurrected Ch. 6 | Medium (speculative) | February's Warlock DLC was billed to "culminate at BlizzCon in September" — and 2026 is Diablo's 30th anniversary |
| Diablo V reveal | Low (rumour) | Zero official signal; if it happens, it's the biggest news of the show |
How to read itConfirmed-level: 12.x roadmap, Hardcore new content, Housing details, Diablo IV Season 15 details.
High probability: 13.0 The Last Titan reveal, Diablo IV's third expansion.
Rumour mill: Diablo II Chapter 6, Diablo V, Classic Plus — the hottest community topics with the least official backing. Wait for the word "announced" before you get excited.
High probability: 13.0 The Last Titan reveal, Diablo IV's third expansion.
Rumour mill: Diablo II Chapter 6, Diablo V, Classic Plus — the hottest community topics with the least official backing. Wait for the word "announced" before you get excited.
Part 5: Every Reward — You Don't Even Need to Watch
1. World of Warcraft BlizzCon Bundle ($29.99 · Battle.net Shop)
| Item | Type |
|---|---|
| Rabbit'ath Void Rabbit Mount | Flying mount |
| Garb of the Dawnfire Phoenix | Transmog ensemble (head / shoulder / cloak & back) |
| Perch of the Dawnfire Phoenix | Housing decor — shows a phoenix transforming from hatchling to majestic form |
ImportantIndividual BlizzCon Digital Bundles are available through September 28, 2026 on the Battle.net Shop. Buying a BlizzCon Pass includes the BlizzCon Ultimate Collection. And note: World of Warcraft BlizzCon Bundle in-game items are not available in World of Warcraft Classic games — the trap people step in every single year.
2. BlizzCon Ultimate Collection ($49.99)
Includes all five BlizzCon Digital Bundles (World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo IV, Diablo Immortal, Hearthstone) plus exclusive extras not sold separately: a WoW Murk'atath pet, an Overwatch Lich Queen Mei player icon and name card, Diablo IV Indigo's Light and Indigo's Master Trophies, a Diablo Immortal Astral Celebration Portrait Frame, and five additional Hearthstone Standard Card Packs. Each Battle.net account is limited to one of each bundle; you can buy an individual bundle first and upgrade later. In-person attendees must link their pass — Battle.net Shop terms list September 14, 2026 (PT), while the WoW rewards overview cites September 18, 2026. Link early and assume the earlier date.
3. Free for everyone (no purchase required)
Even if you buy nothing, you can claim two free items on the Battle.net Shop through September 28, 2026:
· Heroes of the Storm: Fix It Gear Head Thrall armor
· StarCraft II: 15-day co-op XP boost
4. In-person attendee merchandise
BlizzCon Pass holders can pick up official merch including a retro Blizzard-themed metal lunchbox with a matching thermos, keychain, and lanyard. Players who added optional extras can attend the Charity Night or the Darkmoon Faire late-night session (both sold out).
Part 6: Practical Info If You Got a Ticket
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Badge pickup | Anaheim Convention Center, Hall E |
| Pickup hours | 9/11 (Fri) 13:00–21:00 PDT; 9/12–9/13 daily 07:00–18:00 PDT |
| What to bring | BlizzCon Pass in the Tixr app + government-issued photo ID matching the pass name |
| What you receive | Badge, event wristband, merch voucher (must be used on-site) |
| Badge rules | Must be worn at all times; not replaceable if lost, non-transferable |
| Parking | $25/day standard vehicle (card only, no cash, no in-and-out privileges) |
| Payments | Cashless event — cards / Apple Pay / Google Pay only |
| Darkmoon Faire | North Hall, 2nd floor — new duck pond, plush adoption area, barter market |
| Gear Store | North Hall, 1st floor — new immersive layout; online pre-order + pickup from Sept 8 |
| Accessibility | ASL interpretation, captioning, accessible seating, and more |
Merch highlightsWorld of Warcraft × Rocklove necklace and earrings, the Emrrrgl Murloc Funko Pop!, and more.
Part 7: After BlizzCon — How to Prepare for the Next Version
This is BlizzCon's real "second half." Every year after BlizzCon the same group of players shows up: hyped from the reveals, then back in-game discovering that they're short on gold, behind on reputation, missing the mount, and unprepared for progression consumables. The first-week economy spike, material price surges, and mount and transmog shopping sprees are practically a script at this point.
1. Gold: don't wait until launch day
The first week of a new version is when consumables, enchants, gems, and materials are at their most expensive. Whether you're on retail or Classic, stocking up on gold in advance beats panic-buying at inflated prices. If you'd rather not grind dailies:
Stock up on Retail Gold (Midnight version line)
Bring down the cost of consumables, enchants, and gems before the next progression push.
2. Classic: TBC Anniversary Edition & MoP Classic
If you mainly play Classic, the post-BlizzCon version cadence affects you most. The TBC Anniversary Edition is currently mid-progression, and progression consumables, the epic flying mount (5,000 gold), and profession materials are all hard costs.
Everything for Classic Progression in One Place
TBC Anniversary gold, power leveling, and MoP Classic gold — US and EU servers both covered.
3. Diablo players: stock up before the next expansion
If BlizzCon does announce a new Diablo IV expansion or season, gold consumption and gear demand during the new-season progression window will spike in tandem. Preparing ahead is always smoother than starting from zero on day one.
Diablo 4 New-Season Stockpile
Resource and gear demand surges in the first week of a new expansion or season.
Safety noteWhatever you buy, stick to official storefronts, read the trade details, and keep your order records. The "too-cheap-to-be-true" traps cluster around version launches — if the price looks unreasonable, it usually is.
FAQ: BlizzCon 2026
Closing: Three Practical Takeaways
- Don't just camp the Opening Ceremony.The keynote is the showstopper, but the actual version details live in "What's Next II" and the "Deep Dive." Put Sept 12, 21:45 UTC and Sept 13, 17:00 UTC in your calendar.
- The rewards have deadlines.Bundles stop selling September 28, the pass linking deadline is September 14 (PT) per shop terms, and merch vouchers must be used on-site. Miss these and they're gone for good.
- Stock up before the new version.The week after BlizzCon is always the most expensive week for gold and materials. Whether you play retail, TBC Anniversary, or Diablo IV, preparing ahead means you won't be scrambling on launch day.
This weekend, the Anaheim stage belongs to Blizzard. Next Monday morning belongs to the people who prepared early.
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