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This is the BlizzCon 2026 Opening Ceremony transcript covering World of Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo IV / Diablo V.
BlizzCon 2026 Opening Ceremony Transcript
Johanna Faries | Blizzard Entertainment president
Faries: Hello, BlizzCon 2026. Unbelievable energy in here. Wow. And the long and winding roads that have led us to today. What a special moment for all of us and a chance to gather around the games, the universes, the bonds that continue to inspire our work, our friendships, and our lives. On behalf of everyone at Blizzard, thank you for being here. And whether you’re here in person with us in Anaheim or tuning in from all over the globe, I have to say it is deeply moving to look out and see what I see and to be together again in this particular way. Now, this is by no means my first BlizzCon, but it is my first one standing on this stage in this capacity.
And I have to say, this is a good-looking crowd. What a beautiful sight to behold gorgeous souls all over Anaheim and in this convention center hailing from every corner of the globe. So many different stories behind why you are here to gather as one. And personally, it is deeply inspiring. It is an honor and it is a moment that I will hold in my heart forever.
Now, we all have our reasons for being here. And BlizzCon and Blizzard is often a very personal thing. It’s certainly personal for me given the role that video games have played in my life since I was very young, and given how deeply and strongly I feel about Blizzard’s role in the world as a beacon of creativity, as a place where lives can change and are changed, often on the daily.
So whatever your reasons are for coming to BlizzCon 2026, my hope is that this weekend can serve as a kind of oasis. I mean, to be very clear, we also want it to be a big old party, but an oasis too. A place for us to connect and reconnect, perhaps to heal, perhaps to be seen, be better understood, certainly to nerd out together, and to just be with our people. So this is your invitation to come as you are, to have a blast, and to truly make legendary memories together with us. Now, it’s been a while since the last time we had BlizzCon. We are aware. And bringing this one to life has taken blood, sweat, tears, and a whole lot of love.
Team Blizzard have been working so very hard to make this an event that can inspire as much as it can inform. And speaking of my teammates, if you will allow me to say this while I have the chance. I love you. Your creative spark, your world-class care and consideration. Your gentle genius, as I like to say, that makes Blizzard so unique in the world. Thank you.
And to everyone here making BlizzCon what it is, thank you for fostering more joy in the world, even when times can be tough. And I know that they are tough. Even when we might be carrying so much, sometimes unseen or unspoken, it makes it all the more significant to come together in this way and to join us in the journey of dreaming bigger and for pushing what’s possible.
Now, this weekend, I do have to say, is jam-packed with goodness. But I also have to admit that there is so much going on at Blizzard right now. We couldn’t even fit it into this weekend if we tried. And I’m pretty proud of that, too. So as the devs take the stage today, show them some love, y’all. It’s hard to get up on the stages. And you’ll be hearing things that are near and dear to our hearts, including something near and dear to mine in this first announcement. Fun fact, when we first started planning BlizzCon, way back when, I flat out told the team, I’m not going — I’ll cut the check, but I am not going unless we have something real to share about this game in particular. So I’m very happy and I’m here to be able to share something straight from the Nexus of our hearts.
| BLIZZCON 2026 OPENING CEREMONY TRANSCRIPT | ||||
| Intro | Heroes of the Storm | Netflix Diablo | StarCraft (Shooter) | Overwatch |
