With BlizzCon 2026 only days away on September 12th and 13th, the rumor mill is running at full speed. Leaked schedules, data-mined files, floor maps, and community chatter have all pointed toward what could be one of the largest Blizzard events in years. From a possible Diablo II: Resurrected Act 6 to fresh WoW roadmaps covering Midnight, The Last Titan, and Classic Plus, there is a lot to sort through. Here we are going to gather the most talked-about leaks and schedule clues into one place so you can head into the show with a clear picture of what may be coming.
Note: The blog will be continuously updated as more information is leaked during BlizzCon 2026.
BlizzCon 2026 Leaks: Diablo 4, D2R, WoW Content Update Roadmaps in 2026/27
Blizzcon 2026 returns to a more traditional format, with the main stage in Hall D, a dedicated World of Warcraft stage, a Diablo stage in Hall B, plus separate Hearthstone and classic cup stages. The official schedule shows the Opening Ceremony at 10:30 AM on day one, followed by a packed lineup of "What's Next" and developer panels stretched across two days. A conspicuous blank slot on the main stage between 12:45 PM and 1:45 PM, a Diablo 30th Anniversary Celebration Stage, a very large Diablo 4 demo area, and a special appearance by CD Projekt Red have all fueled speculation. Free live streams will be available on the Blizzard channels, and Twitch Drops are confirmed. With that overview in mind, let's move through what the leaks and schedule clues suggest for each of the major games.
BlizzCon 2026 D2R Leaks
The Diablo II: Resurrected leaks have arguably generated the most detailed rumor content leading into Blizzcon. A Korean post from August 28th, later translated to English, claims to have data-mined a huge upcoming expansion. Blizzard themselves teased at the end of the "Reign of the Warlock" reveal stream that people "won't believe what we're going to announce at Blizzcon." All signs point to a big D2R reveal on either day one or day two at the Diablo Developer Update panels. Keep in mind that the source of these leaks admitted he could not verify authenticity, so all D2R release windows below are speculative.
Act 6 and a New Civilization
Possible release date: Reveal at Blizzcon on September 12–13, 2026; expansion launch likely mid-to-late 2027
The leak claims Act 6 will be added as part of new expansion content. The atmosphere is said to resemble the Citadel of Destruction from Act 5, but the setting features an ancient civilization separate from the existing barbarian culture. Lore data suggests this civilization once helped the barbarians build the Worldstone Keep, but later joined forces with the demons. The player's goal in Act 6 would be to purify the corrupted region after this betrayal. Given that the leak repeatedly notes systems are still being tested with values not finalized, a 2027 release is more realistic than a 2026 launch.
New Monster Designs
Possible release date: Bundled with Act 6 expansion, likely 2027
Three bizarre new monster models were pulled from the leaked files. A human-faced bear that is completely different from the existing werebear, a giant fly-shaped monster larger than any current fly-type enemy, and a worm creature with a human face inside a body resembling a massive earthworm that appears to move underground. Some speculate the worm could be tied to Risia-arf, an unused Act 5 bestiary demon that never made it into the game.
Paladin Changes: Blessed Hammer and Vengeance
Possible release date: Tied to Act 6 expansion, likely 2027
The Paladin is getting reworks according to the leak. Blessed Hammer is being changed from its fixed circular trajectory to a "projectile-to-spiral" method, traveling in a straight line before rotating. Vengeance is also flagged for changes, though the direction hasn't been finalized. Data suggests the team is moving away from the simple elemental damage stacking approach and testing versions where Vengeance leaves additional effects on hit enemies.
Druid Reworks
Possible release date: Tied to Act 6 expansion, likely 2027
The Druid is receiving the biggest overhaul, aimed at fixing low direct damage and targeting issues while shapeshifted. Werewolf and Werebear forms may gain the ability to teleport. Hurricane and Twister are being linked, with Twister firing in a 200-degree fan pattern when Hurricane is active. Tornado will apply lightning damage across the entire Hurricane radius when both are used together. Summoning skills are also being reworked, with the Summon Bear gaining up to an 80% crushing blow probability at higher summoning skill levels.
Runeword Changes
Possible release date: Tied to Act 6 expansion, likely 2027
Enigma is losing its +2 skills bonus, based on a developer note about reducing +skills bonuses on high-mobility characters. The idea is that players pick either mobility or +skills, but not both. Famine is also being reworked, with the composition of its effects being modified rather than just tweaked. New modifiers were found in the data but their values haven't been finalized.
The Mysterious Scabbard
Possible release date: Tied to Act 6 expansion, likely 2027
A new item type called a scabbard was found in the item database. It's registered as a separate equipment category, distinct from weapons or shields, and cannot serve as a standard weapon base. It appears to be exclusive to specific classes and may occupy either a new dedicated equipment slot or function as an auxiliary item equipped with certain weapons. If it turns out to be the latter, it would be a major shift for the Diablo II item system.
BlizzCon 2026 Diablo 4 Leaks
Diablo 4 is expected to get a substantial slice of the show, even though at first glance the schedule seems light on Diablo panels. The Diablo Developer Update panel is set for day one at 1:45 PM to 2:30 PM California time on the main stage, followed by "Art of Darkness: Behind Diablo IV's Cinematics" at 4:15 PM to 5:15 PM. On day two, the "Diablo Developer Update" runs 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM and specifically mentions previews of upcoming content and features. On top of that, the Diablo 4 demo area on the show floor is one of the biggest sections of Hall B, which strongly suggests something new to try hands-on.
Season 15 Reveal Locked In
Possible release date: September 15, 2026 (Tuesday)
The in-game timer already confirms that the current season ends in about 12 days, which lines up almost perfectly with Blizzcon. For three straight years, Blizzard has rolled the new season out immediately after the old one closes with no gap between seasons, so Season 15 is basically guaranteed to launch on Tuesday, September 15th, two days after the show wraps. The day two "What's Next" panel for Diablo 4 is expected to reveal the final Season 15 content.
Witcher Collaboration
Possible release date: Reveal on September 12–13, 2026, with the Geralt skin available shortly after via Battle.net pre-orders
The CD Projekt Red partnership is confirmed to be part of Blizzcon, with a full panel titled "30 Years of Battle.net with Special Guest CD Projekt Red" on day two. A Geralt-themed skin is coming to Diablo 4 for anyone who pre-orders through Battle.net, and CD Projekt Red hinted at deeper collaboration beyond just cosmetics. Some fans are speculating a Witcher-inspired new class, though nothing has been confirmed on that front.
Cinematic Deep Dive
Possible release date: Cinematic reveal on September 12, 2026; expansion launch likely in 2027
The "Art of Darkness" panel is drawing extra attention because it may double as a reveal for the next expansion's opening cinematic. Blizzard often uses these art-focused sessions to show off unreleased cinematics, and with the previous expansion having launched only four months ago, this could be the first tease of what comes next for Diablo 4's story.
The Suspicious Blank Slot
Possible release date: Announcement only at Blizzcon; any revealed game likely 2027 or later
The blank slot between the WoW "What's Next" panel and the Diablo Developer Update on the main stage has driven wild speculation. Some think it could be StarCraft-related. Others believe it might be a surprise Diablo announcement, possibly a Diablo animated series, a Netflix show tie-in, or a return of an older Diablo IP given the "Diablo 30th Anniversary" branding used elsewhere at the venue.
BlizzCon 2026 WoW Leaks
World of Warcraft is clearly the centerpiece of Blizzcon 2026. The schedule includes at minimum four separate WoW panels branded either "What's Next" or "Deep Dive," with sessions spread across both the main stage and the dedicated World of Warcraft stage. The show floor also features an unusually large WoW demo area that Blizzard has kept intentionally vague. Chris Metzen is expected to appear on stage, and rumors point toward major reveals for both retail and classic in the same weekend.
WoW Classic Plus Announcement
Possible release date: Reveal on September 12, 2026; beta or launch window in 2027
Classic Plus is being treated as one of the safest bets on the show floor. The "World of Warcraft: What's Next" panel on day one at noon on the main stage is widely believed to be the Classic Plus reveal, with wording that leans toward new adventures for older and newer players. Leaks have pointed to a project codenamed Camelot, and a group of prominent classic creators reportedly visited Blizzard HQ months ago under NDA. Fans are hoping for a Season of Discovery-style approach that expands on known content, adds new classes like Tinker or Necromancer, and opens up previously unexplored areas such as Mount Hyjal, Scholomance depths, and Karazhan Crypts.
Retail: The World Soul Saga Continues
Possible release date: Patch 12.1 already live or on PTR; subsequent patches (12.1.5, 12.2, 12.2.5, 12.2.7) rolling out through late 2026 into 2027
The World Soul Saga is currently at Midnight, the second of three expansions. Blizzcon 2026 is expected to align around patch 12.1, meaning the ending of Midnight likely will not be spoiled. The "World of Warcraft: What's Next 2" panel at 2:45 PM on day one is expected to focus on retail, covering Midnight patch updates and offering a look at The Last Titan expansion. Story-wise, expect more information on Xal'atath's pursuit of the world soul, the return of the Titans at Ulduar, and possibly Illidan Stormrage's role in the finale.
The Last Titan Preview
Possible release date: Reveal at Blizzcon; expansion launch expected in 2027
The Last Titan is confirmed to bring players back to Northrend, with Ulduar as a key location and the return of the Titans as the central event. Fans are watching for movement on Sargeras's sword, which has been sitting stuck in Silithus for years, along with possible appearances from Arthas, Anduin, and Thrall. A universe reset, time skip, or trip into the Great Dark Beyond is being floated as a potential setup for the next 20 years of storytelling. Launch is most realistic after Midnight's final patch wraps in 2027.
Housing Deep Dive
Possible release date: Blueprint sharing rolling out with a Midnight patch in late 2026 or early 2027
Player housing gets its own dedicated 45-minute panel on day two titled "World of Warcraft: Crafting, Coziness, and Creative Freedom." Blueprint sharing between players is already confirmed, and community requests are pushing for an undo button, a menu-based furniture vendor, and more interactive items similar to Final Fantasy XIV's system.
Hardcore What's Next
Possible release date: Reveal on September 13, 2026; launch window depends on the actual reveal
The most surprising panel on the schedule is "World of Warcraft Hardcore: What's Next" on day two at 4:15 PM. Getting a full 45 minutes for hardcore is unusual, and speculation ranges from Only Fangs 3, hardcore expansion into TBC content, or hardcore rules being applied to Classic Plus servers.
Developer x Creator Showcase
Possible release date: Panel on September 12, 2026; any tied features rolling out in 2026–2027
Day one at 3:30 PM features a "World of Warcraft Developer x Creator Showcase." Some speculate this ties to the classic creators who visited Blizzard HQ earlier this year and could be the extended Classic Plus reveal. Others believe it may focus on housing gameplay.
Console Rumors and Story Panels
Possible release date: No confirmed timeline; any console version likely 2027 or later
Rumors about WoW coming to Xbox are still floating around after last year's ambiguous article. Additional confirmed panels include "Building Cutscenes in World of Warcraft," "World Building in World of Warcraft," and "World of Warcraft: Art Design," all of which could include hints toward classic zone revamps, Northrend redesigns, or Quel'Thalas visual identity.
More Blizzcon 2026 Leaks For Other Games
Beyond the three main franchises, Blizzcon 2026 has plenty of room for surprises across Blizzard's wider catalog. A suspicious empty slot on the main stage, gray "Trailer Craft" placeholders, CD Projekt Red's involvement, and rumors from Xbox insiders all suggest there is more coming than just Diablo and WoW. The Diablo Immortal event running 7 hours each day on the Diablo stage has raised eyebrows and is being viewed by many as either a placeholder or cover for surprise announcements.
StarCraft Shooter Rumors
Possible release date: Announcement at Blizzcon 2026; game launch likely 2028 or later
The biggest non-WoW rumor is a StarCraft FPS or shooter. Multiple Xbox insiders reportedly confirmed a StarCraft flagship announcement this year, and the empty slot between 12:45 PM and 1:45 PM on the main stage is widely thought to be reserved for this reveal. Speculation includes a Korean development partnership. StarCraft 2 and remaster demos are also confirmed on the floor.
Warcraft RTS and Warcraft 4
Possible release date: Tease possible at Blizzcon; full launch estimated around 2028
Leaks pointed at a new real-time strategy Warcraft title, potentially Warcraft 4 or a "Warcraft Chronicles" style project. A Warcraft 3 demo is on the show floor, and RTS is reportedly a category Xbox wants to reinvest in.
Hearthstone Expansion
Possible release date: Reveal on September 12–13, 2026; launch within a few months, likely Q4 2026 or early 2027
A new Hearthstone expansion is essentially guaranteed. The Hearthstone stage has its own dedicated "What's Next" panel, and Battlegrounds updates are heavily rumored to be part of the reveal. Given Hearthstone's typical quarterly expansion cadence, expect the new set to drop within a few months of the announcement.
Overwatch and Heroes of the Storm
Possible release date: New heroes and content rolling out through 2026–2027; story mode timeline unclear
Overwatch is expected to get new heroes, possibly a Master Chief crossover, and there is renewed hope for the long-delayed story mode. The Overwatch World Cup takes over much of the tournament schedule. Heroes of the Storm has a demo on the floor, which has fans hoping the game may see active development return.
Diablo Animated Series and Warcraft Anime
Possible release date: Tease possible at Blizzcon 2026; actual release likely 2028–2029
Rumors of a Warcraft animated series in the style of Arcane have persisted, with fan hopes centered on an Arthas-focused storyline. Similarly, the "Art of Darkness" panel and Netflix-adjacent rumors have kept the Diablo animation talk alive. A live-action Warcraft project, potentially with Henry Cavill involved, is another wild card being tossed around.
Mobile Games Push
Possible release date: Multiple mobile titles teased at Blizzcon; staggered launches through 2026–2028
Xbox is reportedly pushing hard for more mobile titles across every Blizzard franchise, given how much revenue Diablo Immortal continues to generate. Expect teases for multiple mobile projects across Warcraft, Diablo, and possibly StarCraft during the closing minutes of the opening ceremony.
That covers the leaks, schedule clues, speculation, and possible release windows heading into Blizzcon 2026. With the opening ceremony on September 12th and Season 15 for Diablo 4 launching just days later on September 15th, the next week will settle which rumors were real and which were just wishful thinking. Keep an eye on the free live streams and the Twitch Drops running throughout the event.
That covers the leaks, schedule clues, and speculation heading into Blizzcon 2026. With the opening ceremony on September 12th and Season 15 for Diablo 4 launching just days later on September 15th, the next week will settle which rumors were real and which were just wishful thinking. Keep an eye on the free live streams and the Twitch Drops running throughout the event.