Blizzard Plans Major Celebrations for 35th Anniversary in 2026, Promises Exciting Developments

Blizzard Entertainment’s president, Johanna Faries, has shared exciting news for fans of the iconic studio, hinting at what she hopes will be Blizzard’s “biggest year yet” in 2026. This year will celebrate Blizzard’s 35th anniversary, and Faries expressed that the company is gearing up with a “bold vision” for the future. “The teams across Blizzard are preparing for what we hope to be our biggest year yet, and we take that statement very seriously,” she stated. “It’s all part of this new, ambitious vision moving forward.”

Faries mentioned that Blizzard’s teams are working on significant developments for its major franchises, with some details set to be unveiled at BlizzCon 2026 in September. “We have immense pride in what’s coming, not just at BlizzCon but even leading up to it. It’s an incredibly exciting time,” she added. Her aspiration is for Blizzard to become the “best gaming and entertainment company in the world,” and the reveals at BlizzCon are intended to showcase that ambition on a grand scale. “I have complete confidence that our teams will deliver something truly special, capturing the heart and soul that our core fans expect from BlizzCon while also introducing fresh elements,” she noted.

Before her role at Blizzard, Faries spent nearly 12 years in the NFL and later joined Activision to contribute to the Call of Duty series, eventually becoming the general manager. In February 2024, she took over as president of Blizzard, succeeding Mike Ybarra. The company has teased “major” announcements for the BlizzCon opening ceremony, alongside the return of the Blizzard Arcade, developer panels, and hands-on gameplay sessions for titles like World of Warcraft, Diablo IV, Overwatch 2, Hearthstone, and Diablo Immortal. These games are expected to showcase new content, justifying their presence at the event.

Looking ahead, Diablo IV’s new expansion, Lord of Hatred, is set to launch in April 2026, featuring a fan-favorite character. Additionally, World of Warcraft’s new expansion, Midnight, is scheduled for March 2026. With 2026 also marking the 10th anniversary of Overwatch, Blizzard is likely to have some surprises lined up.