Blizzard Entertainment has unveiled an exciting lineup for BlizzCon 2026, set to take place on September 12-13 in Anaheim, California. The event is set to prominently feature a variety of esports tournaments, most notably the return of the Overwatch World Cup, where players will represent their countries on the BlizzCon stage.
In addition to the Overwatch World Cup, the esports calendar will include world-class competitions in titles such as World of Warcraft (WoW), Hearthstone, Warcraft III, StarCraft II, and Heroes of the Storm. Blizzard has highlighted major events like the World of Warcraft Arena World Championship, the Mythic Dungeon International, and the Hearthstone Masters Tour World Championship, which returns after a hiatus since 2019. For the first time, the Blizzard Classic Cup will also showcase classic titles, providing a nostalgia-driven experience for long-time fans.
The Overwatch World Cup has historically drawn massive audiences, with its inaugural tournament in 2016 reaching peak viewership of 231,994. The 2017 event saw even greater success, surpassing 321,960 viewers. However, interest has fluctuated in recent years, particularly following the mixed reception of Overwatch 2 and controversial meta changes. Nonetheless, the absence of BlizzCon in 2024 and 2025 appears to have reignited excitement and nostalgia among the Overwatch community, making the return of the World Cup highly anticipated.
Other notable esports events featured in BlizzCon 2026 will include the Mythic Dungeon International, where teams compete to complete challenging dungeons in record time, and the WoW Arena Championship, showcasing thrilling player-versus-player combat. As the recent popularity of Hearthstone’s Battlegrounds threatens to overshadow its constructed mode, Blizzard may leverage recognizable personalities to draw fans back into the competitive fold.
The inaugural Blizzard Classic Cup will be a highlight, bringing together teams from Heroes of the Storm, StarCraft: Remastered, and Warcraft III to compete on the new Blizzard Classic Stage. This tournament is not only a nostalgic nod to the roots of esports but also a celebration of Blizzard’s longstanding titles that have shaped the gaming landscape.
BlizzCon tickets are set to go on sale on November 7, marking the return of one of the most beloved conventions in the gaming community. With a diverse and robust lineup of esports competitions, the upcoming event looks poised to attract fans old and new, celebrating the enduring legacy of Blizzard games.