Blizzard Entertainment is kicking off 2026 with the Blizzard Showcase, a series of livestreamed events highlighting updates, previews, and announcements across its major franchises. The showcase will focus on World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Hearthstone, and Diablo, giving fans an early look at new content and development plans. Alongside these presentations, Blizzard is hosting “Blizzard: The Next Chapter,” an exhibition featuring around 400 physical artifacts that chronicle the company’s history, major releases, and community milestones. The showcase is intended to celebrate both Blizzard’s past achievements and the ongoing contributions of its developers and player community.
Spotlight on Each Franchise
The Blizzard Showcase offers a series of developer-led presentations that dive into the current state and future plans for each of Blizzard’s flagship games. For World of Warcraft, the State of Azeroth session will cover upcoming expansions, story developments, and updates to in-game systems. Players can watch this segment on January 29 at 9:00 a.m. PST on the World of Warcraft YouTube and Twitch channels, with additional times for international audiences at 5:00 p.m. GMT and 2:00 a.m. KST.
The Overwatch Spotlight, scheduled for February 4 at 10:00 a.m. PST, will focus on hero updates, new maps, competitive changes, and other upcoming content for the team-based shooter. The stream is accessible through the Overwatch YouTube and Twitch channels, with GMT and KST timings also provided for viewers worldwide.
Hearthstone players can look forward to February 9 for the Hearthstone Spotlight. This session will explore upcoming expansions, card design philosophy, balance adjustments, and other feature updates. It will stream live on Hearthstone’s official YouTube and Twitch channels, allowing fans to watch at 9:30 a.m. PST, 5:30 p.m. GMT, or 2:30 a.m. KST.
The Diablo 30th Anniversary Spotlight, set for February 11 at 2:00 p.m. PST, celebrates three decades of the action RPG series. It will highlight the franchise’s history, current development projects, and future content. Viewers can tune in via the Diablo YouTube and Twitch channels, with international streaming times available for GMT and KST zones.
How to Watch the Blizzard Showcase
All sessions are available live through each game’s respective YouTube and Twitch channels. For those unable to watch live, recordings will be posted on demand after the broadcast ends. The showcase provides an opportunity for players to see development updates directly from Blizzard’s teams and to learn about upcoming content before BlizzCon 2026. The event also emphasizes Blizzard’s ongoing engagement with its community, offering insight into both creative processes and gameplay improvements.
What the Showcase Means for 2026
While the Blizzard Showcase focuses on individual games, it also provides context for the broader year ahead. With BlizzCon 2026 on the horizon, these presentations serve as a first look at Blizzard’s roadmap, highlighting both legacy and new projects. The combination of live updates, historical reflection, and forward-looking announcements allows fans to engage with Blizzard’s evolving games and community initiatives throughout the year.
Make sure to check out our articles about top games to play in 2026:
Best Nintendo Switch Games for 2026
Best First-Person Shooters for 2026
Best PlayStation Indie Games for 2026
Best Multiplayer Games for 2026
Most Anticipated Games of 2026
Top Game Releases for January 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is the Blizzard Showcase 2026?
The showcase runs from January 29 through February 11, 2026, with different dates for each franchise’s spotlight event.
Where can I watch the Blizzard Showcase?
All presentations stream live on YouTube and Twitch via each game’s official channels, and recordings are available on demand after the broadcasts.
Which games are featured in the Blizzard Showcase?
The 2026 showcase features World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Hearthstone, and Diablo, including a 30th-anniversary celebration for the Diablo franchise.
What is “Blizzard: The Next Chapter”?
It is an exhibition featuring around 400 artifacts highlighting Blizzard’s history, major releases, and player memories, running alongside the showcase.
Will there be updates relevant to web3 or blockchain initiatives?
The event focuses on game updates, expansions, and community highlights, with no announcements currently tied to web3 initiatives.
Can I watch the presentations later if I miss them live?
Yes, all streams are available on demand after the live broadcasts on YouTube and Twitch.
Does the showcase tie into BlizzCon 2026?
Yes, the showcase serves as a precursor to BlizzCon 2026, providing early looks at upcoming content and development plans.
