For the first time since 2019, there will be an in-person version of BlizzCon later this year, as Blizzard Entertainment revealed when and where its upcoming convention will be. The news about BlizzCon came months after Blizzard revealed that the 2023 iteration of its video game convention will be held in person, and longtime fans and convention goers may be familiar with when and where the event will take place.
A few months back, during an end-of-year update, President of Blizzard Entertainment Mike Ybarra revealed that BlizzCon would return as an in-person convention in 2023, but did not give any additional information at the time. That announcement came following the release of World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, the ninth expansion to Blizzard's long-running MMORPG. Following a tumultuous few years, which saw many changes at Blizzard following serious allegations against the company's toxic workplace culture, the timing of BlizzCon's return may be seen as a turning point for the company.
According to a new blog post from Blizzard, BlizzCon 2023 will be held on Friday, November 3 through Saturday, November 4, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. The keynote and some panels will be free to watch on Blizzard's Twitch and YouTube channels, and ticket information will be revealed later. The window and location fall in line with when BlizzCon traditionally took place before the COVID-19 pandemic forced Blizzard to cancel its 2020 edition. As a result, Blizzard went with an online version of BlizzCon in 2021, which was seen as a success given the circumstances at the time.
BlizzCon 2023 Dates and Location
- Friday, November 3, and Saturday, November 4, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.
Following BlizzCon 2021, which was headlined by the reveal of Diablo 2: Resurrected, BlizzCon's 2022 iteration was slated to be another digital-only event. However, Blizzard pulled the plug on BlizzCon 2022, as the aforementioned allegations against the company came to light. With lawsuits and negative attention fixated on the company, Blizzard withdrew from holding any conventions. Since then, the company's leadership has changed hands, and many employees have chosen to leave the studio in recent times. But, with Microsoft still looking to acquire Activision Blizzard despite its setbacks in the UK, it remains to be seen what impact the acquisition talks will have on this year's BlizzCon if anything.
As for what fans can expect from BlizzCon later this year, there is no shortage of content for Blizzard to tease. Following the cancelation of Overwatch 2's PvE mode, fans can expect at least a new Hero or two to be revealed and demonstrated at the show. As for World of Warcraft, the game's 20th anniversary will take place in 2024, so a glimpse into those plans may be revealed as well. All in all, Blizzard fans will have plans to make soon.
Source: Blizzard