If you were eagerly anticipating a new expansion for *Diablo 4* in 2025, you'll have to temper your excitement a bit longer. According to Rod Fergusson, the general manager of Diablo, the next major expansion for *Diablo 4* is slated for release in 2026.
During his speech at the DICE Summit in Las Vegas, Fergusson outlined the team's strategy to enhance their engagement with the community. He mentioned that *Diablo 4* will adopt a similar approach to *Diablo Immortal* and *World of Warcraft* by providing a content roadmap. Fans can look forward to a detailed 2025 roadmap for *Diablo 4* that will highlight the seasons and updates planned for the year, expected to be released around or just before Season 8. However, this roadmap will not include the next expansion, as it is scheduled for 2026.
"In 2025, or just before Season 8, we will have a 2025 roadmap for *Diablo 4*. Now, our second expansion won't be on that roadmap, because our second expansion is coming in 2026, but at least players will have the road ahead," Fergusson explained.
While Fergusson did not delve into the specifics of why the second expansion was delayed, he did provide some context earlier in his talk. Initially, Blizzard had planned to release expansions annually, with *Vessel of Hatred* set for 2024, followed by another expansion in 2025. However, *Vessel of Hatred* ended up launching 18 months after the initial release of *Diablo 4*, rather than the intended 12 months. This delay was due to the team's need to adapt to player feedback and make necessary adjustments to live content, which temporarily shifted resources away from *Vessel of Hatred* and consequently delayed all subsequent planned content.
Recently, *Diablo 4* introduced the Season of Witchcraft, featuring new witchcraft powers, an engaging questline, and more. Our review of the base game awarded it a 9/10, praising it as "a stunning sequel with near perfect endgame and progression design that makes it absolutely excruciating to put down."
