"From edge-of-your-seat battles to unforgettable wins, esports have always been a part of BlizzCon’s DNA, uniting our community in the thrill of competition as we cheer on our favorite teams and the most skilled players from around the world. At BlizzCon 2026, competition reaches a fever pitch across programs from World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Hearthstone, and our newest addition: the Blizzard Classic Cup.
Blizzard Classic Cup
The Blizzard Classic Cup is a cross-title team showdown celebrating the rivalries, personalities, and high-stakes moments that define Blizzard Esports. Across both days of BlizzCon, iconic players will once again face off—this time under the banners of two captains—competing for pride, legacy, and their share of a $100,000 USD total prize pool.
The Blizzard Classic Cup spans four titles:
Heroes of the Storm
StarCraft: Remastered
StarCraft II
Warcraft III: Reforged
The Captains
Last week, we announced Nick “Tasteless” Plott and Dan “Artosis” Stemkoski as the Classic Cup captains.
For nearly two decades, “Tastosis” have been at the center of Blizzard Esports history. Their chemistry, passion, and connection to our community make them the perfect duo to help bring the Classic Cup to life.
Tasteless and Artosis won’t just be behind the desk: they’ll be leading their own teams into battle. Across four Blizzard titles, the captains will draft their teams, testing their recruits’ preparation, adaptability, and fortitude. More information on that draft to come!
In addition to captaining their teams, “Tastosis” will be stepping in to cast select matches, alongside a fantastic roster of talent that we’ll be sharing in the coming months.
Across both days at BlizzCon, you can expect a curated mix of:
Legacy Matchups: running back one high-stakes rivalry per title that helped define an esports era.
Entertainment Matches: showdowns in StarCraft: Remastered, StarCraft II, and Warcraft III: Reforged, featuring some of our favorite personalities in unexpected combinations.
This isn’t a traditional bracket, as there’s no elimination tree. Instead, every match contributes points to each team’s total. The scoreboard is live all weekend and every match shifts the momentum.
Legacy matchups carry the most weight and the biggest stakes. Here’s how points are earned:
Heroes of the Storm: 3 Legacy points StarCraft: Remastered: 3 Legacy points, 1 Entertainment point StarCraft II: 3 Legacy points, 1 Entertainment point WarCraft III: Reforged: 3 Legacy points, 1 Entertainment point
At stake is a prize pool of $100,000 USD total. Each Legacy Match features a $20,000 USD bounty awarded to the competitors in that matchup. At the end of the weekend, the team with the most total points will be crowned Classic Cup Champions, lifting the Classic Cup trophy on stage and earning a $20,000 USD team bonus.
More to Come: The Road to BlizzCon
In the lead-up to BlizzCon, we’ll be sharing more details on the team draft and individual matchups.
The Blizzard Classic Cup is not to be missed at BlizzCon 2026. For those tuning in from home, keep an eye out for how you can earn special in-game viewership rewards!"
Honestly, it's hard to suss out the format from just this post... There's somehow a draft, but there's also fixed high-stakes rematches from each game?
Anyway, I wonder what the best possible matches could be for each game that would still be entertaining in present day.
Honestly, SC2 doesn't have an apex rivalry that really stands out above all others—Serral vs Korea and soO vs gold were the closest we ever got. I think I'd go with Clem vs Serral for being a pretty solid rivalry and also having two in-prime players in a popular match-up. However, I think they will end up picking Maru vs Serral (Maru has shown he can actually make it a competitive series lately, but historically it's not much of a rivalry).
Brood War has two obvious apex rivalries to pick from in Boxer vs Yellow and Flash vs Jaedong. Anything else is a clear second choice. However, we've seen in the past that top SOOP streamers can easily turn down the money Blizzard has to offer, so I worry this will be more about who's available/willing to travel than anything else.
As an old-head who stopped watching War3 in the 2000's, I'd want something like Moon vs Sky... ...fans who have kept up for longer, please correct me. No idea what match would balance out historical significance vs having an actually good series in 2026.
For Heroes of the Storm, the logistical hurdles of getting TEN people back for a reunion match feels like it could be really tough. But I suppose it would have to be MVP Black vs Dignitas if everyone is free in September? But off the top of my head, the HotS GOAT Rich is already going to be a scratch because the competitive LoL season will still be ongoing at the time.
On March 19 2026 03:37 Waxangel wrote: As an old-head who stopped watching War3 in the 2000's, I'd want something like Moon vs Sky... ...fans who have kept up for longer, please correct me. No idea what match would balance out historical significance vs having an actually good series in 2026.
Grubby vs. Moon would be the prime-rivalry, basically Serral vs. Maru: Battle of the GOAT-candidates, West vs. Korea, 4K vs. MYM - all the good stuff. Grubby however would have to do a lot of catchup, considering that he is not a "competitor" anymore, unlike Moon. So it might not be balanced enough.
Grubby vs. Sky is another great rivalry that is not as historically significant as the first one, but is more balanced, as both are retired.
Happy vs. Moon, old vs. new GOAT would be interesting, but has zero "historical relevance" beyond that, because Happy wasn't in the same category as Moon, Grubby etc. in 2005-2010.
A match that could be balanced and that I would pay good money for, but that is very unrealistic, would be Sky vs. Creolophus, like a rematch of the greatest upset in WC3 history.
On March 19 2026 07:13 Puosu wrote: I certainly hope its not nostalgia, but rather celebration of what's contemporary, what's hot right now.
Less Boxer, more soma. Less Grubby, more Happy.
Given the political situation, how realistic is it for Happy to competein a US event? Not sure how severe travel restrictions are currently, not to mention that Blizzard probably doesn't want any PR controversy regardless.
I can't wait this sounds awesome! $20,000 for a competitor for winning a match? Did I read that correctly?! WOW! Blizzard is really supporting esports. I fully expect to see Serral vs Clem or Serral vs a big name Korean. It's not a traditional world championship with no elimination match, but with the best players and $100,000 prize for team + more it sounds like for pre-selected game defining matchups, can we call this world championship-like? I'm so hyped! Blizzcon has a special aura for me still around it. Big production, the buzz in the arena is awesome. I can not wait! I want to go watch!
Well this explains why sc2 isn’t in EWC. Blizzard used the $$ to fund this event over EWC. Can hardly blame them since everyone would rather promote their own products over EWC
On March 19 2026 10:46 CicadaSC wrote: I can't wait this sounds awesome! $20,000 for a competitor for winning a match? Did I read that correctly?! WOW! Blizzard is really supporting esports. I fully expect to see Serral vs Clem or Serral vs a big name Korean. It's not a traditional world championship with no elimination match, but with the best players and $100,000 prize for team + more it sounds like for pre-selected game defining matchups, can we call this world championship-like? I'm so hyped! Blizzcon has a special aura for me still around it. Big production, the buzz in the arena is awesome. I can not wait! I want to go watch!
You can't be serious? First, it's 100k capped. 4 x 20/ legend game + 20k for winning team. Second world championship wtf? It's a showmatch. Nothing else. WardiTV or PiG Festival or HSC are 1000 times more deserving of crowning a "world champion" than this BS
The "helped define an esports era" statement is very vague.
I'd be more excited to see (as an example) IdrA vs. HuK than anything LotV has to offer. LotV has been incredibly bland in terms of hype. People who weren't around during WoL don't understand how vibrant the scene actually was back then, especially when compared to how flat it is now.
I know, I know, rose-tinted glasses, old man yells at clouds, get off my lawn, whatever...
On March 19 2026 19:07 CicadaSC wrote: Everyone has different opinions, the point is it's a $100,000 tournament they didn't have to do. Can't we be appreciative of that?
I can appreciate that it is better having it than not having it. That's about it. I don't want to be overly critical here but like someone else said, they are celebrating that they succesfully killed these games. Yay Blizz This is NOT supporting esports, this is NOT a world champion, this is NOT even a real competition
Legacy matches will be funny in SC2 if they pick big WoL players who have not played much of LotV. The same is true with any player who has not played much in the past couple of years. Weird choice, really. Maybe they do not want to focus too much on the current state of these games. After all, they are classic games for Blizzard.
The point distribution suggests that SC2, BW, and WC3 have 4 Bo1s, while HotS could have a Bo3. Even Bo3s could take too much time for the event when everything needs to be done in a couple of days, with other things going on.
On March 19 2026 19:07 CicadaSC wrote: Everyone has different opinions, the point is it's a $100,000 tournament they didn't have to do. Can't we be appreciative of that?
For SC2 it's a $20.000 tournament. I don't care about these other games
For the "Iconic Matchups" they are going to predetermine, who do you guys think it will be? For me the most obvious choice I'd have to say it would have to be Serral vs Maru. Both fought for GOAT contention, Korean vs Foreigner, and the most fan-favorite matchup ZvT. ^^
On March 19 2026 03:37 Waxangel wrote: Honestly, it's hard to suss out the format from just this post... There's somehow a draft, but there's also fixed high-stakes rematches from each game?
Anyway, I wonder what the best possible matches could be for each game that would still be entertaining in present day.
Honestly, SC2 doesn't have an apex rivalry that really stands out above all others—Serral vs Korea and soO vs gold were the closest we ever got. I think I'd go with Clem vs Serral for being a pretty solid rivalry and also having two in-prime players in a popular match-up. However, I think they will end up picking Maru vs Serral (Maru has shown he can actually make it a competitive series lately, but historically it's not much of a rivalry).
Brood War has two obvious apex rivalries to pick from in Boxer vs Yellow and Flash vs Jaedong. Anything else is a clear second choice. However, we've seen in the past that top SOOP streamers can easily turn down the money Blizzard has to offer, so I worry this will be more about who's available/willing to travel than anything else.
As an old-head who stopped watching War3 in the 2000's, I'd want something like Moon vs Sky... ...fans who have kept up for longer, please correct me. No idea what match would balance out historical significance vs having an actually good series in 2026.
For Heroes of the Storm, the logistical hurdles of getting TEN people back for a reunion match feels like it could be really tough. But I suppose it would have to be MVP Black vs Dignitas if everyone is free in September? But off the top of my head, the HotS GOAT Rich is already going to be a scratch because the competitive LoL season will still be ongoing at the time.
Yeah I’m similarly confused
It feels awkwardly posed with the prize pool and whatnot. It feels what they’re going for is a love letter to various games.
Which is fine but pick a lane
Serious tournament with top players or fun tournament with fan favourites. Either I’m fine with but this seems a weird halfway house
On March 19 2026 18:13 MJG wrote: The "helped define an esports era" statement is very vague.
I'd be more excited to see (as an example) IdrA vs. HuK than anything LotV has to offer. LotV has been incredibly bland in terms of hype. People who weren't around during WoL don't understand how vibrant the scene actually was back then, especially when compared to how flat it is now.
I know, I know, rose-tinted glasses, old man yells at clouds, get off my lawn, whatever...
Plz no
It was a great rivalry of two people of conflicting personalities, who at the time were in the running for best non-Korean player.
That was the rivalry, some random showmatch now when both haven’t played in forever lacks all of what formed the rivalry in the first place.
On March 20 2026 06:22 sc2turtlepants wrote: Hot damn, came here to see what negativity you guys managed to spew and you did not disappoint. Never change, TLNET
lol man, i feel you - but on the other hand - what is this? Whats the format gonna be? How will this be entertaining? I dont know man...
On March 20 2026 06:22 sc2turtlepants wrote: Hot damn, came here to see what negativity you guys managed to spew and you did not disappoint. Never change, TLNET
lol man, i feel you - but on the other hand - what is this? Whats the format gonna be? How will this be entertaining? I dont know man...
It will be entertaining because it sounds like they will choose some of the most iconic StarCraft 2 players to compete against each other for $20,000. Also, if you are a fan of other classic games like I am, and tastosis commentary there is that. All in a blizzcon arena/crowd and likely riding off a StarCraft shooter announcement . The hype should be there and I'm excited.
This will be fun since I've been following all of the esport scenes at some point. I would love to see some older legends return to play BW but I'm guessing it's going to be Jaedong vs Flash/Bisu. For HotS the only legacy matchup that makes sense is GENG vs NA team but the game has changed so much since they retired so I've no idea. WC3 Grubby vs Moon would be great! SC2... I mean Serral gots to be there.
Is it $20k bonus split for the winning "team section" or per match? The write up feels like it was given as much thought as the format.
Entire thing stinks. Heard that the initial idea was 10 total players per game and Bo3 matches. Problem with that is none of those matches will be even unless it's deliberately made to be so... making the idea of captains weird.
A lot of money to be thrown around for potentially sub par games and "entertainment".
Would make a lot more sense just to have a proper tournament. Again the details aren't clear but I feel bad for whoever gets a genuinely unfavorable match or matchup and gets snubbed out of $4000, or if it's team based whoever wins while their side loses.
I hope this gets re thought out and addressed before it's too late.
I still don't understand the format at all. Seems overly complicated.. Why not just make it 4 or (preferably) 8 players double elim bracket and alocate points accordingly.. Sum up the points at the end and crown the winners. Idk, just somehow not digging this. Hopefully I'll be proven wrong and it's going to be an awesome event, of course.
But it's organized by "modern" Bli$$ard, so.. yeah, we will see about that.
A lot of money to be thrown around for potentially sub par games and "entertainment".
Would make a lot more sense just to have a proper tournament. Again the details aren't clear but I feel bad for whoever gets a genuinely unfavorable match or matchup and gets snubbed out of $4000, or if it's team based whoever wins while their side loses.
I hope this gets re thought out and addressed before it's too late.
I think whoever pitched the idea is trying to "cross-pollinate" interest between classic game players/fans. Like you come for Moon vs Happy and stay for Serral vs Maru sort of thing. I don't know. It's cool, but I understand why hardcore fans or fans of just one game might not be satisfied.
On March 21 2026 18:40 Agh wrote: Is it $20k bonus split for the winning "team section" or per match? The write up feels like it was given as much thought as the format.
Entire thing stinks. Heard that the initial idea was 10 total players per game and Bo3 matches. Problem with that is none of those matches will be even unless it's deliberately made to be so... making the idea of captains weird.
A lot of money to be thrown around for potentially sub par games and "entertainment".
Would make a lot more sense just to have a proper tournament. Again the details aren't clear but I feel bad for whoever gets a genuinely unfavorable match or matchup and gets snubbed out of $4000, or if it's team based whoever wins while their side loses.
I hope this gets re thought out and addressed before it's too late.
Yeah, part of it I guess is I’m just unclear exactly how it’ll all work, what the field is too.
I don’t mind something fun as supplementary, I think by adding decent prize money while also not having regular tournaments, it just gets a bit wonky.
I complained at the time about say the Gamer’s 8 showmatches having more prize pool than a GSL season, I’d rather see that prize money elsewhere personally, it just felt a handout to some legends at a time the game could do with it elsewhere.
The other problem is that ‘legends’ are gonna have vast differences in current shape. Mvp and MMA dipped quite a while before Stephano who kept it up as a semi-pro for years, MC had kept a pretty high level on and off. And you could really see it in the games.
You end up straddling worlds and not really pleasing anyone.
The prize money isn’t huge but it probably raises the stakes too high to see crazy off-meta shenanigans and weirdness that would distinguish it from a regular tournament. But if it’s not a collection of the best of the best and there are big mismatches then the stakes can feel a bit hollow.
Could still be fun mind, I’m just not super enthused au present
for a Cup to have real meaning its gotta have an historical type name. Classic Cup is meh. The Super Bowl winner gets the Vince Lombardi trophy. The NHL Champion wins Lord Stanley's Cup.
I say we call this thing the Bob Fitch Cup. Name the Cup after the hermit coder that pulled Orcs in Space out of the fire.
Also, there should be 3 awards given to the last survivor of each race. Name those after the first Protoss, Zerg, and Terran world champions from the early Brood War days.
On March 22 2026 23:56 JimmyJRaynor wrote: for a Cup to have real meaning its gotta have an historical type name. Classic Cup is meh. The Super Bowl winner gets the Vince Lombardi trophy. The NHL Champion wins Lord Stanley's Cup.
I say we call this thing the Bob Fitch Cup. Name the Cup after the hermit coder that pulled Orcs in Space out of the fire.
Also, there should be 3 awards given to the last survivor of each race. Name those after the first Protoss, Zerg, and Terran world champions from the early Brood War days.
It's an entertainment cup, calm down...
And what would be a BW World Champion? Blizzcon-winner? (funfact: No Terran ever won Blizzcon in BW). Or WCG? Then you have the GoRush, BoxeR and fOru Award
On March 22 2026 23:56 JimmyJRaynor wrote: for a Cup to have real meaning its gotta have an historical type name. Classic Cup is meh. The Super Bowl winner gets the Vince Lombardi trophy. The NHL Champion wins Lord Stanley's Cup.
I say we call this thing the Bob Fitch Cup. Name the Cup after the hermit coder that pulled Orcs in Space out of the fire.
Also, there should be 3 awards given to the last survivor of each race. Name those after the first Protoss, Zerg, and Terran world champions from the early Brood War days.
It's an entertainment cup, calm down...
And what would be a BW World Champion? Blizzcon-winner? (funfact: No Terran ever won Blizzcon in BW). Or WCG? Then you have the GoRush, BoxeR and fOru Award
The Cups listed are entertainment Cups. These leagues constantly modify the rule set to make the games more entertaining. whatever Patry won was a BW World Championship.
On March 20 2026 06:22 sc2turtlepants wrote: Hot damn, came here to see what negativity you guys managed to spew and you did not disappoint. Never change, TLNET
It's actually not that hard. Just make an actual competition in any of the 4 games and TL.net is happy
I'm waiting for the invitees, tournament format, and prize pool details to get excited. If they're smart, it will not be a lopsided towards nostalgia matchups or competitive matchups.
On March 20 2026 06:22 sc2turtlepants wrote: Hot damn, came here to see what negativity you guys managed to spew and you did not disappoint. Never change, TLNET
It's actually not that hard. Just make an actual competition in any of the 4 games and TL.net is happy
I hope they announce the players soon, I'm really curious what they'll do for Heroes of the Storm. The game has changed so much since HGC ended that I'm not sure if the Koreans would be competitive anymore, unless they take a lot of time to practice. There was a period where some Koreans were still playing HOTS and participating in Western tournaments, but I think interest dried up at this point.
I'm not sure if this concept of historical rivalries makes sense for every game, since not everyone has kept their skills up and continued playing.
For a HOTS showmatch I think the most competitive setup you could make is NA vs EU. There are still ex-pro players from both regions playing regularly and dominating the ladder.
As an old-head who stopped watching War3 in the 2000's, I'd want something like Moon vs Sky... ...fans who have kept up for longer, please correct me. No idea what match would balance out historical significance vs having an actually good series in 2026.
2026 Moon vs. Sky is not a good match, unfortunately. Moon is currently #7 wc3 player in the world and the best nelf vs human player in the world. Sky just plays casually for fun. it's not realistic for Sky to get in shape and become competitive with Moon.
current power levels: Moon >>>>>> Grubby >>>>>> Sky
you're right to mention that Moon and Sky are 2 out of 3 names that have the most "star power" in WC3. the other name is Grubby. each of those players represent the 3 regions of the world that have had the greatest influence on WC3: Korea, Europe and China - with Grubby easily having the most global appeal. the Chinese love Grubby and would absolutely tune in to see him play. Sky doesn't have that type of power outside of China.
Grubby is still light-years behind Moon - but is he the type of madlad who would devote 6 months of grinding just to put on a good show? possibly! I'd love to see it
if this was not a legacy match and instead an exhibition of the highest level of play in 2026, then it would have to be Happy vs X - Happy vs Lyn striking the best balance of high level skill + hype / modern rivalry + exciting play. however, Happy plays under the Russian flag and that's probably unacceptable for modern-day Blizzard :-)
Neo from B2W posted a good forecast of WC3 in Classic Cup:
On March 19 2026 03:37 Waxangel wrote: As an old-head who stopped watching War3 in the 2000's, I'd want something like Moon vs Sky... ...fans who have kept up for longer, please correct me. No idea what match would balance out historical significance vs having an actually good series in 2026.
Happy vs. Moon, old vs. new GOAT would be interesting, but has zero "historical relevance" beyond that, because Happy wasn't in the same category as Moon, Grubby etc. in 2005-2010.
in their last 23 series, Happy is 23-0 vs Moon. retired Grubby has more chance of beating Moon than competitive Moon has of beating Happy!
On March 19 2026 03:37 Waxangel wrote: As an old-head who stopped watching War3 in the 2000's, I'd want something like Moon vs Sky... ...fans who have kept up for longer, please correct me. No idea what match would balance out historical significance vs having an actually good series in 2026.
Happy vs. Moon, old vs. new GOAT would be interesting, but has zero "historical relevance" beyond that, because Happy wasn't in the same category as Moon, Grubby etc. in 2005-2010.
in their last 23 series, Happy is 23-0 vs Moon. retired Grubby has more chance of beating Moon than competitive Moon has of beating Happy!
Moon is a top tier player even still. Unfortunately, Night Elf is not competitive and doesn't really win things.
On March 19 2026 03:37 Waxangel wrote: As an old-head who stopped watching War3 in the 2000's, I'd want something like Moon vs Sky... ...fans who have kept up for longer, please correct me. No idea what match would balance out historical significance vs having an actually good series in 2026.
Happy vs. Moon, old vs. new GOAT would be interesting, but has zero "historical relevance" beyond that, because Happy wasn't in the same category as Moon, Grubby etc. in 2005-2010.
in their last 23 series, Happy is 23-0 vs Moon. retired Grubby has more chance of beating Moon than competitive Moon has of beating Happy!
Moon is a top tier player even still. Unfortunately, Night Elf is not competitive and doesn't really win things.
Moon's 23-game losing streak is more of a player curse than a race issue. Life vs. Happy is a much clearer representation of the match-up
As much as I'd like to see Happy get the opportunity, nobody stands a chance of beating him on lan. Currently it takes awful ping+ud mirror to get him to barely lose.
I think anything short of Flash/JD/Soulkey, Serral/Clem/Maru, Moon/Grubby/infi, etc isn't going to hit right with the proposed format.
At this point in my life I no longer care that it's cringe I'm STILL gonna get hype AF for Grubby vs Moon, Serral vs Maru, and Flash vs Jaedong. I dunno who plays HotS. Does Liquid have a team? Does EG? Give me EG vs TL and I'll be so happy.
(Let me huff my hopium in peace. The world is dark and terrible these days so I'll find my hope wherever I can!)
Just hope that they get a kespa era rivalry instead of idk, Serral vs Clem or some other bs. The whole event is just disappointing really. Like some of you all said, they're just celebrating that they killed all those games lol
On April 16 2026 02:29 jettMzf wrote: Just hope that they get a kespa era rivalry instead of idk, Serral vs Clem or some other bs. The whole event is just disappointing really. Like some of you all said, they're just celebrating that they killed all those games lol
i assume u are talking about sc2, why would anyone want to watch lets say flash vs jaedong in sc2 again if they havent played in 10 years? much rather see serral vs maru. save jaedong vs flash for sc1.
On April 16 2026 02:29 jettMzf wrote: Just hope that they get a kespa era rivalry instead of idk, Serral vs Clem or some other bs. The whole event is just disappointing really. Like some of you all said, they're just celebrating that they killed all those games lol
Kespa era ended with Legacy of the void. Why would they ever go to an older iteration of the game? This is beyond stupid
On May 04 2026 14:23 TelecoM wrote: They are having an announcement about something StarCraft related at Blizzcon 2026.
Yup. Rumor is it's the new StarCraft shooter. I hope they've also been keeping at RTS under the wraps too. More StarCraft is awesome, but it won't hit the same if there is not at least some RTS mini game inside of it or something AT LEAST.
On May 04 2026 14:23 TelecoM wrote: They are having an announcement about something StarCraft related at Blizzcon 2026.
Yup. Rumor is it's the new StarCraft shooter. I hope they've also been keeping at RTS under the wraps too. More StarCraft is awesome, but it won't hit the same if there is not at least some RTS mini game inside of it or something AT LEAST.
EPT
