Blizzard Entertainment has announced that its popular BlizzCon convention will return as an in-person event in 2026, but the company is skipping 2025 entirely.
The next BlizzCon will take place on September 12-13, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. This marks the second straight year without the fan-favorite event, following its cancellation in 2024.
According to Blizzard’s press release, the 2026 convention will bring back many beloved elements, including the opening ceremony, detailed developer panels, the Darkmoon Faire exhibition area, gaming competitions, and hands-on gameplay opportunities for attendees.
“BlizzCon has been a cornerstone of Blizzard’s history since 2005, allowing us to connect with our community and our players directly,” the company stated. They promised to “meaningfully elevate this iconic celebration and create an unforgettable experience for all who take part in it.”
Blizzard did not explain why they decided to skip 2025, which would have marked the convention’s 20th anniversary. The company also remained silent about any potential online celebrations or alternative events during this extended hiatus.
The convention’s schedule has been inconsistent in recent years. After running annually for many years, BlizzCon was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It returned briefly as an online-only digital show in 2021, then went on hiatus again in 2022. While an in-person event did happen in 2023, plans for a 2024 follow-up were later abandoned.
The 2024 cancellation came shortly after Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a time when the company experienced significant layoffs across departments.
It’s interesting to see what BlizzCon will look like under Microsoft’s ownership when it finally returns in 2026.
