Disney announces major Kingdom Hearts updates for this year’s D23 event.

2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Kingdom Hearts enthusiasts. With a new collection on the horizon, a fresh look at the long-anticipated Kingdom Hearts 4, and whispers of a crossover with Fortnite, keyblade wielders have plenty to look forward to. And there’s even more: Kingdom Hearts will be featured in a special “deep dive” session at Disney’s biennial fan event, D23.

On Monday, Disney unveiled the lineup for this year’s D23, touted as “The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.” Kingdom Hearts fans will want to mark their calendars for a session titled “Deep Dive into Kingdom Hearts,” scheduled for Saturday, August 15. The event promises attendees a journey through light and darkness as they celebrate 25 years of the franchise. Participants will gain insights into how this saga brought together Disney, Pixar, and Square Enix, featuring contributions from the creative minds and voice actors behind the beloved series.

The “Deep Dive into Kingdom Hearts” will be held on D23’s Backlot Stage, which will also host sessions on the Disney Lorcana trading card game, Bob’s Burgers, and the upcoming Bluey movie.

As the franchise approaches its 25th anniversary in March 2027, D23 is celebrating a bit early. The timing is intriguing for Kingdom Hearts, especially with Square Enix’s Kingdom Hearts Collection 1-3 set to release in October. However, fans are likely more eager for updates on Kingdom Hearts 4 and its new Disney-inspired worlds, which may even see Sora and friends venturing into the Star Wars universe.

Additionally, D23 is happening just days before the next season of Fortnite, and Kingdom Hearts fans are anticipating that the event will unveil Epic Games’ latest crossover. Rumors suggest that Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 will be themed around video game characters, potentially including characters from Kingdom Hearts in the battle royale.

D23 will take place from August 14–16, following San Diego Comic-Con and leading up to Gamescom in Cologne, Germany. This could very well be the summer of Kingdom Hearts, depending on what Square Enix reveals about Kingdom Hearts 4.

Next up is the Kingdom Hearts Collection 1-3, launching on October 8 for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X. This collection features 11 titles from the Kingdom Hearts franchise: