BlizzCon 2026: Dates, Venue, and Key Features

In a recent episode of the Official Xbox Podcast, Lina Madrid spoke with Kiersten Crissman, Senior Director of Global Events for Blizzard, about what fans can expect from the upcoming convention. The team is celebrating a series of major anniversaries, including milestones for Blizzard, Diablo, Overwatch, and Battle.net, which will serve as a central theme for the show floor and broadcasts.

The event is designed to be a gathering for the entire community, with 37,000 attendees expected on-site. A key tradition returning is the March of the Murlocs, now in its fifth edition. On Sunday, September 13, at 11:45 AM, approximately 4,000 community members are anticipated to participate in the parade, with emerald green designated as the official color for the year’s costumes.

Blizzard has relocated its main stage back to Hall D, the largest hall in the Anaheim Convention Center, to accommodate over 7,500 live attendees. The Darkmoon Faire, a replica of the World of Warcraft in-game experience, is also returning and has been expanded to its largest size to date. Located in the North Hall on level two, the area spans over 70,000 square feet and includes new attractions such as a duck pond for fake fishing, alongside staples like the Toy Capsule Depot and pet adoption.

The Hearthstone Tavern will also be larger than in previous years, featuring community favorites like the Artist Nook and a 360 Mocktail Bar. Stage programming has been significantly increased, with content running across six stages over the two days. This includes What’s Next panels, Deep Dives, and five concurrent esports programs. Community Night on Saturday evening will feature contests for art, short film, talent, and cosplay, with the cosplay contest hosted by Darren DePaul, the voice actor for Reinhardt.

For those watching from home, Blizzard has released a Viewers Guide detailing where and when to watch. All content is free to watch on official Blizzard channels on YouTube and Twitch, specifically the Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch channels. The opening ceremony broadcast begins Saturday, September 12, at 10:30 AM Pacific, with programming continuing through Sunday at 7 PM Pacific. Viewers can expect over 117 hours of content, including the opening ceremony, panels, Community Night, and esports competitions.

The convention will also feature over 1,300 gameplay demo stations and the return of the Blizzard Arcade, a retro-themed corner featuring titles like StarCraft and Heroes of the Storm. Two days of meet-and-greets will be held across three halls, offering fans the chance to interact with developers, creators, and esports players. Blizzard is utilizing the entire 1.8 million square feet of the Anaheim Convention Center for the event.