Blizzard Brings Back Classic Esports at BlizzCon 2026

StarCraft, Warcraft III, and more to feature in the inaugural Blizzard Classic Cup

Mar. 12, 2026 at 8:04am

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Blizzard Entertainment is bringing back its classic esports titles like StarCraft and Warcraft III for the upcoming BlizzCon 2026 event. The inaugural Blizzard Classic Cup will feature all-star teams competing in games such as StarCraft: Remastered, StarCraft II, Heroes of the Storm, and Warcraft III: Reforged. Esports legends Tasteless and Artosis will captain the teams, highlighting Blizzard's rich esports legacy.

Why it matters

The return of classic Blizzard esports titles like StarCraft and Warcraft III to BlizzCon 2026 is a significant move that celebrates the company's influential role in shaping the modern esports landscape. These iconic games defined the early era of competitive gaming and drew massive audiences, particularly in Korea, making them foundational to the growth of esports as a global phenomenon.

The details

The Blizzard Classic Cup will be a key part of the esports slate at BlizzCon 2026, which is scheduled to take place on September 12-13 at the Anaheim Convention Center. In addition to the classic Blizzard titles, the event will also feature competitions in newer games like Overwatch. Esports legends Nick "Tasteless" Plott and Dan "Artosis" Stemkoski will draft and captain the all-star teams, bringing their decades of experience and expertise to the event.

  • BlizzCon 2026 is scheduled for September 12-13 in Anaheim, California.
  • The inaugural Blizzard Classic Cup will be a key part of the event's esports slate.

The players

Nick "Tasteless" Plott

A veteran esports commentator and analyst with decades of experience covering Blizzard games.

Dan "Artosis" Stemkoski

A longtime esports personality and expert on Blizzard's classic real-time strategy titles.

Blizzard Entertainment

The video game company behind iconic franchises like StarCraft, Warcraft, and Overwatch, and a pioneer in the esports industry.

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What’s next

Blizzard is expected to release more details on the Blizzard Classic Cup format, teams, and other esports events at BlizzCon 2026 in the coming months.

The takeaway

Blizzard's decision to bring back its classic esports titles for BlizzCon 2026 is a nostalgic and exciting move that will appeal to longtime fans of the company's games and the early days of competitive gaming. It's a testament to the enduring legacy of these iconic franchises and their impact on the evolution of esports.