BlizzCon returned in 2026 after a three-year break, bringing major updates and reveals across Blizzard Entertainment’s franchises. The event covered World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, Hearthstone, StarCraft and more.
From a new mainline Diablo game to an unexpected StarCraft shooter, these were the biggest announcements for Australian players watching from home.
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The biggest BlizzCon 2026 announcements
- World of Warcraft Forever: Blizzard confirmed its long-rumoured “Classic Plus” project under an official name.
- Diablo 5: The next mainline entry is in development and is planned for spring 2029.
- StarCraft: A new open-world shooter is scheduled for 2030.
- Overwatch: New hero Doctrine arrives alongside a new map, returning cosmetics and major hero reworks.
- Hearthstone: The Reign of the Black Empire expansion will put a stronger focus on story, followed by the Monk class in 2027.
Overwatch adds Doctrine and reworks Sombra
Overwatch’s next season introduces Doctrine, a vampire-inspired Support hero associated with Doomfist and Talon. Doctrine can “Infuse” his weapon and abilities to create strategic power boosts, giving the character a relatively demanding kit with an offensive focus.
The season also adds the Grímsvötn map and brings back Dokiwatch cosmetics. Blizzard’s cinematic follows Doomfist trying to retain control of Talon after nearly being killed, before working with Sombra to free Doctrine.
Sombra is moving from the Damage role to Support, while Roadhog and Sombra are both receiving substantial reworks. The changes address two of the game’s most divisive heroes: Roadhog’s Chain Hook and Sombra’s stealth and hacking abilities have long frustrated opponents.
Hearthstone looks towards 2027
Hearthstone’s next expansion is Reign of the Black Empire. Blizzard says the set will make narrative a more important part of the collectible card game than before.
A new Monk class is also planned for 2027, giving players another long-term addition to the game’s class roster.
World of Warcraft gets a Classic Plus project
Blizzard confirmed that its rumoured classic-era MMO project is real. Called World of Warcraft Forever, it was introduced as a version that is “friendly, familiar, and new”, with the world and its player community at the centre.
Executive producer and vice president Holly Longdale described the project as a place where the community can be nurtured. Blizzard also showed an early look at World of Warcraft: The Last Titan, the third and final chapter of the Worldsoul Saga.
The presentation also highlighted the Eclipse update for World of Warcraft: Midnight, with Blizzard promising a major year for the Warcraft franchise.
BlizzCon cosmetics cover five games
Blizzard announced event-themed skins, mounts and other bonuses for World of Warcraft, Diablo 4 and Overwatch, among its five featured games.
Players can purchase a Digital Bundle for one game or choose the Ultimate Collection covering all five. One example allows Overwatch’s Mei and Snowball to take on an Arthas-inspired Lich King look.
StarCraft returns in two very different ways
Before the event, fans found hidden messages on the official StarCraft website, with clues apparently pointing towards a project following StarCraft 2: Legacy of the Void. Those discoveries followed reports that Blizzard was working with Korean publisher Nexon on a new game.
Blizzard ultimately revealed that StarCraft is returning in 2030 as an open-world shooter, rather than as a conventional real-time strategy sequel. The announcement represents a substantial change of direction for the long-running science-fiction series.
Diablo 5 is coming in 2029
Blizzard confirmed Diablo 5 during the opening ceremony and announced a spring 2029 release window. The original Diablo, the Lord of Terror first introduced in 1997, will return as the central villain.
A follow-up panel revealed the Plague Knight as at least one new launch class. Blizzard also discussed the sequel’s story and its emphasis on procedural generation.
Diablo 4 continues with a new class and season
The arrival of Diablo 5 does not signal the end of Diablo 4 support. Blizzard is bringing the action RPG to a new platform, adding a fan-favourite class from Diablo 2 and introducing a major season built around the franchise’s history.
Players will receive a playable look back at earlier periods of the series through the new seasonal content.
Warcraft 3 receives a new campaign
Warcraft 3: Reforged received Forsaken Kingdom, a new campaign released without advance notice at BlizzCon. It is the game’s first new campaign in 23 years.
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Heroes of the Storm makes an unexpected return
Heroes of the Storm is receiving a new hero: Xal’atath, the Harbinger of the Void from World of Warcraft’s Midnight expansion. Xal’atath is due on the game’s public test realm the following weekend and will be playable by BlizzCon attendees.
The hero’s arrival may indicate broader renewed support for the multiplayer battle arena game.
Diablo expands beyond games
Blizzard announced a partnership with Netflix for a new animated series set in the Diablo universe. President Johanna Faries also teased plans to adapt additional Blizzard franchises for screen.
What the announcements mean for arcade fans
BlizzCon 2026 mixed live-service updates, remastered-era projects and entirely new directions for established series. While these games are primarily designed for PC and console, their strong character, strategy and action identities remain relevant to arcade enthusiasts.
For a more compact setup, see RETROCADE’s bartop arcades. Anyone planning a custom build can also browse DIY arcade kits.
BlizzCon’s 2026 return delivered a broad programme of announcements, from a 2029 release for Diablo 5 and a 2030 StarCraft shooter to new content for the company’s established online games.
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