Blizzard Entertainment’s annual convention celebrating its game library and the announcement of new projects is right around the corner, and the company has cooked up a hefty BlizzCon 2019 schedule. There are potential sequel announcements for two of its most successful franchises, as well as potential news on an expansion for World of Warcraft.
As with every year’s BlizzCon celebration, there is a lot to watch. You’ll need to keep track of what is going on if you’re attending in person and want to see all your favorite games and meet up with fellow Blizzard fans at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Below, we’ve compiled a full schedule based on information Blizzard has provided so far.
BlizzCon Pregame Festivities
October 31 from 9:00 a.m. PT to 5 p.m. PT
Before BlizzCon 2019 officially begins, Blizzard will be hosting a special get-together for its fans to meet up in a plaza outside the convention center, where they’ll be able to enjoy refreshments and make a plan with friends.
It’s your best chance to chat with fellow Blizzard players before the madness of BlizzCon 2019 kicks off, and with games like Overwatch and Diablo 3 on Switch, you might want to pack your console, too.
Night at the Faire
October 31 from 4 p.m. PT to 8 p.m. PT
Available only for those with either the Benefit Dinner Pass or the Portal Pass, a special Thursday preview of the Darkmoon Faire area called Night at the Faire.
Built as an “always-night market,” you’ll have the opportunity to take part in activities and get some free merchandise before anyone else. The glowing eye on the archway leading into the market is terrifying, but it appears there will be pin trading, which is much less terrifying.
BlizzCon Benefit Dinner
October 31 from 7 p.m. PT to 11 p.m. PT
Buying a BlizzCon Benefit Dinner Pass will give you access to the BlizzCon Benefit Dinner on Thursday night. Tickets are pricey at $750 a pop, but all net proceeds are being donated to the CHOC Children’s organization.
During the dinner, you will have the opportunity to talk with Blizzard staffers, including executives as well as artists and designers on the development team. The ticket also includes a signed art print, the Portal Pass, and reserved “Mythic Stage” seating for the opening ceremony and Community Night.
BlizzCon 2019 Day One
Opening Ceremony: November 1 from 11 a.m PT to noon PT
The biggest event of BlizzCon 2019, the opening ceremony will be Blizzard’s chance to unveil new games as well as expansions to existing titles. Rumors and alleged leaks point to two major game announcements — Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 — as well as an expansion for World of Warcraft that brings back one of the game’s best villains. The opening ceremony will also be where Blizzard will need to address the controversies surrounding its esports competitions and the ongoing Hong Kong protests.
Life at Blizzard: Career & Culture Insights: November 1 from 2 p.m. PT to 3 p.m. PT
If you’ve ever wondered what it is like to work at Blizzard Entertainment and how you can make your goal a reality, this panel is the place to be. Life at Blizzard: Career & Cultural Insights will focus on the paths several Blizzard employees took to work for the company, as well as what it’s like to work there on a day-to-day basis. Especially if you are just starting out in game development, this is one panel you don’t want to miss.
Blizzard Animation: The Art of Setting the Scene: November 1 from 4:15 p.m. PT to 5 p.m. PT
Blizzard has been creating Pixar-quality animated short films and cinematics for its game series for years, with stunning detail and emotion. The artists from the story and franchise development division at the studio will hold this panel to discuss specifically how these are created for Overwatch, a game that relies almost exclusively on these videos to build its universe.
Cosplay Exhibition: November 1 from 5:15 p.m. PT to 6:15 p.m. PT
Cosplay is one of the biggest draws at BlizzCon, as you’ll have the chance to see fans dress up as their favorite characters from across Blizzard’s franchises. The Cosplay Exhibition will showcase the best of the best, and any aspiring cosplayers should tune in and take notes on how to make the best costume possible. Given the new games rumored for announcements, we might even see a few surprise characters.
BlizzCon 2019 Day Two
November 2 from 9:30 a.m. PT to 10 p.m. PT
Blizzard Art Studio: Diablo: November 2 from 10 a.m. PT to 10:15 a.m. PT
Drawing Blizzard characters can be particularly difficult, as they are often extremely detailed and intricate, but the process doesn’t have to take you hours. In this quick panel from Blizzard’s artists, you’ll learn how to draw titular villain Diablo in a live demonstration. By the time it’s over, perhaps you’ll even be ready to complete a speedrun?
Designers at Work: World of Warcraft World Creation: November 2 from 1:30 p.m. PT to 2:30 p.m. PT
Azeroth has continued to grow larger over the last several decades of Warcraft content, and this panel will show how Blizzard’s team of world and level designers have turned each World of Warcraft zone into an iconic and unique environment. This will begin with the conception for a zone and end with its completion, which could potentially give players a taste of what to expect in the game’s next expansion.
Voices of Overwatch: November 2 from 5:15 p.m. PT to 6:15 p.m. PT
This panel isn’t at high noon, but it will still give you a chance to hear from the actors who help bring the roster of Overwatch to life. The hour-long Voices of Overwatch panel will feature several members of the cast, and will give you insight into how they brought them to life for the game. Given their knack for voices, it’s sure to be an entertaining and funny time.
Esports Finals
The final round of competition for Blizzard’s various esports games will also take place on November 1 and 2. Below are the games, final times, and where you can watch.
- Starcraft World Championship Series: November 1 at noon PT on official Starcraft channel
- World of Warcraft Mythic Dungeon International: November 1 at 6:30 p.m. PT on official Warcraft channel
- Hearthstone Global Finals: November 2 at 3:00 p.m. PT on official Hearthstone channel
- World of Warcraft Arena World Championships: November 2 at 6:45 p.m. PT on official Warcraft channel
- Overwatch World Cup: November 2 at 7:15 p.m. PT on official Overwatch League Channel
