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There was a time when Blizzard was considered one of the most popular game studios on the planet. Between the cash cows that were World of Warcraft and Overwatch, they had the money and fan goodwill to tackle just about anything. However, there are more MMOs out there every year to compete with WoW, and Overwatch 2 has simply not been able to live up to the hype of its predecessor. 2026, it seems, is when Blizzard tries to claw their way back to the top.

The Blizzard 2026 showcase schedule has been laid out, and it promises updates on the four major franchises in the developer’s catalogue. Unsurprisingly, World of Warcraft: State of Azeroth kicks things off on January 29, 2026. Though it is no longer the undisputed dominant figure that it once was in the MMO world, it is still arguably the most prominent game in the Blizzard catalogue. 

Following this presentation, Blizzard will hold specific showcases for Overwatch, Hearthstone, and Diablo between now and the end of February, which will likely contain new game announcements, development roadmaps, and other signs that the company is trying to win back players. It will all lead up to the return of BlizzCon from September 12-13, 2026 in LA.

The full schedule for the Blizzard Showcase 2026 is:

• World of Warcraft: State of Azeroth – January 29, 2026 at 9 am PT
• Overwatch Spotlight – February 4, 2026 at 10 am PT
• Hearthstone Spotlight – February 9, 2026 at 9:30 am PT
• Diablo 30th Anniversary Spotlight – February 11, 2026 at 2 pm PT

How fans react to what Blizzard has to say at a time when they’re struggling to keep their hold on gamers could be crucial to the future of the company, so we’ll be watching these presentations with intense interest.

The gaming industry has come a long way since Pong blew all our minds in the 70s. We've got everything you need to know about the next big thing in games. Of course, Grand Theft Auto VI is going to be the big game of 2026, but there are plenty of other games coming out between now and then. Here is our starter guide for every gamer:

• All upcoming games in 2025 and beyond
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And be sure to check Popverse regularly for the latest gaming news.