Disney’s biggest fan celebration is almost here, and while D23 is known for major movie and theme park announcements, it has also become an important event for the gaming industry.
Over the last few years, Disney has used D23 to reveal new games, announce collaborations, and showcase projects from Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and Disney Animation.
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026 will take place from August 14 to August 16 in Anaheim, California, featuring three major showcase presentations alongside dozens of panels, developer discussions, and interactive experiences.
With Disney investing more heavily in gaming than ever before, this year’s event will have plenty of exciting announcements.
Disney and Epic Games Partnership Could Take Center Stage
Perhaps the biggest gaming story surrounding Disney right now is its multi-billion-dollar partnership with Epic Games.
Disney has already confirmed plans to build an expansive connected entertainment universe powered by Unreal Engine and linked with Fortnite.
D23 2026 feels like the perfect stage to provide another major update. We could finally get a deeper look at how Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and Avatar will coexist inside the upcoming experience.
While Disney hasn’t confirmed any announcements, new gameplay demonstrations or a development roadmap wouldn’t be surprising considering how important this project is for the company’s gaming future.
Marvel Games Could Steal the Show
Marvel has several games currently in development, which D23 an ideal place for updates.
We are hoping to see more of Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, which has remained relatively quiet since its initial reveal.
New gameplay footage, a release window, or behind-the-scenes developer insights would likely generate significant excitement.
There’s also plenty of anticipation surrounding Marvel’s Wolverine from Insomniac Games.
Although Sony typically saves major reveals for its own showcases, Disney could still feature the game during Marvel-related presentations.
Other Marvel projects, including unannounced titles or mobile games, may also make appearances.
Star Wars Games May Receive Fresh Updates
Lucasfilm Games has several active projects that could appear during the event.
Lots of people are hoping for updates on upcoming Star Wars games currently in development, as well as potential expansions for existing titles.
Disney often uses D23 to celebrate the broader Star Wars franchise. These gaming announcements are natural fit alongside movie and television reveals.
New trailers, release dates, and developer interviews, Star Wars fans will likely have plenty to watch.
Disney Dreamlight Valley Could Reveal Its Next Chapter
Gameloft has consistently supported Disney Dreamlight Valley with new characters, story content, and expansion updates.
Since D23 has historically featured Dreamlight Valley announcements, there’s a strong possibility that we will get their first look at the game’s next major update, including new Disney worlds, characters, seasonal events, or gameplay improvements.
Disney Speedstorm Could Introduce New Racers
Another Gameloft title that regularly receives Disney crossover content is Disney Speedstorm.
The live-service racing game constantly adds new franchises and racers, D23 will be excellent opportunity to unveil upcoming seasons and additional playable characters.
Although nothing has been officially announced, we can expect at least some news if Gameloft continues its previous D23 tradition.
More Mobile and Family Games Are Likely
Disney has significantly expanded its mobile gaming portfolio over the past few years.
From Marvel and Star Wars mobile titles to Disney-themed casual games, D23 could feature several smaller announcements aimed at mobile audiences.
These reveals may not generate the same excitement as AAA console games, but they remain an important part of Disney’s gaming strategy.
Surprise Game Reveals Are Always Possible
Previous events have included unexpected game announcements, exclusive trailers, celebrity appearances, and early looks at projects that weren’t publicly known beforehand.
Given Disney’s massive collection of intellectual properties, there’s always the possibility of an entirely new game being revealed.
Classic franchises like Pirates of the Caribbean, TRON, Indiana Jones, The Incredibles, or even Pixar properties could receive gaming announcements that nobody sees coming.
Entertainment Announcements Could Impact Future Games
Even if Disney doesn’t announce brand-new games, many of its movie and television reveals could shape future gaming projects.
Major announcements involving Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, Avatar, or Disney Animation often create opportunities for future video game adaptations, downloadable content, or crossover events in existing titles.
Developers frequently use these events to coordinate future content with Disney’s broader entertainment roadmap.
What’s More
D23 Expo 2026 will be featuring three days of showcases, panels, immersive experiences, and major presentations dedicated to Disney Entertainment, Disney Experiences, and the Disney Legends ceremony.
While Disney has not officially revealed its gaming lineup, there are plenty of reasons for fans to be excited.
Between Marvel, Star Wars, Disney Dreamlight Valley, Disney Speedstorm, and the company’s ambitious partnership with Epic Games, the event might deliver some of the biggest gaming announcements of the year.
We’ll be covering every major reveal from D23 Expo 2026 as soon as they’re announced.
