Diablo 4 fans anticipating a new expansion in 2025 will need to adjust their expectations. Diablo general manager Rod Fergusson recently announced at the DICE Summit that the next major expansion won't arrive until 2026.
Fergusson highlighted Blizzard's commitment to improved community engagement, mirroring the strategies employed by Diablo Immortal and World of Warcraft. This includes the upcoming release of a content roadmap for Diablo 4 in 2025, detailing seasonal content and updates. However, he explicitly stated that the second expansion will not be included in this roadmap, confirming its 2026 release date. He reassured players that at least they will have visibility on the planned content for the coming year.
While Fergusson didn't elaborate extensively on the reasons for the delay, he alluded to challenges encountered during the development of the first expansion, "Vessel of Hatred." Originally slated for a 12-month release window, it ultimately launched 18 months after the base game's release. This delay, he explained, stemmed from the team's responsiveness to player feedback and the need for adjustments to live content, which temporarily diverted resources from "Vessel of Hatred's" development. This ripple effect consequently pushed back subsequent planned content, including the next expansion.
Diablo 4 recently launched its Season of Witchcraft, introducing significant new witchcraft abilities, a fresh questline, and more. The base game itself received a 9/10 rating from [Source Name], praised for its exceptional endgame and progression system.
