Blizzard's first BlizzCon in 3 years raises hopes for new StarCraft title

Anticipation is building ahead of BlizzCon 2026, Blizzard Entertainment's fan festival, with many hoping the event will bring the first reveal of a new StarCraft title or spin-off.

Blizzard is holding BlizzCon 2026 — a combined game-announcement showcase and fan event — at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, from Saturday through Sunday (local time).

The company had used BlizzCon annually to unveil games in development and share updates with fans worldwide, but stopped holding the event after 2023 following its acquisition by Microsoft.

The biggest question surrounding this year's BlizzCon, the first in three years, is whether Blizzard will reveal a new entry or spin-off in the StarCraft franchise.

Multiple foreign outlets have reported that Blizzard plans to unveil a new StarCraft IP title being developed in partnership with another studio. The developer is believed to be South Korean game company Nexon.

According to industry sources, Nexon has continued discussions with Blizzard about developing a game using the StarCraft IP since signing a domestic publishing agreement for Overwatch last year. Speculation points to either a real-time strategy game in the vein of the original or a shooter set in the StarCraft universe.

Plans for a follow-up to another Blizzard flagship, World of Warcraft, are also expected to be announced.

Details — including a trailer — for "The Last Titan," the next expansion following the current WoW expansion "Midnight," are widely expected to be revealed. Excitement is also growing over the possibility of a new expansion for Diablo IV or a new story DLC for Diablo II.

Alongside the game announcements, the event will feature a range of performances and esports competitions.

K-pop girl group Le Sserafim is set to perform at the closing ceremony of this year's BlizzCon, according to Blizzard.

Le Sserafim also took the stage at BlizzCon in 2023.

On the esports side, the Overwatch World Cup — marking the 10th anniversary of Overwatch esports — will be held at the venue, along with competitions based on other Blizzard titles including WoW, Hearthstone, StarCraft Remastered, StarCraft II, Heroes of the Storm and Warcraft III.