Disney has confirmed a special Kingdom Hearts Deep Dive presentation for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026, giving fans another reason to look forward to this year’s celebration.
The panel is scheduled for August 15, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. PT and will commemorate 25 years of the Kingdom Hearts franchise, which debuted in 2002 through the collaboration between Disney and Square Enix.
D23 panel will celebrate the franchise’s legacy
According to the official event description shared by D23, the presentation will take fans on
“a journey through light and darkness”
while exploring how Kingdom Hearts brought together Disney, Pixar, and Square Enix. The event will feature
“insights from the creative minds, character voices, and more behind the magic,”
although Disney has not confirmed whether Kingdom Hearts IV will make an appearance.
While the focus appears to be on celebrating the series’ history, fans are hopeful the panel could include updates on the long-awaited next mainline installment.
Nintendo Switch 2 owners have more to anticipate
The announcement also comes as Square Enix prepares to expand the franchise on Nintendo Switch 2. The publisher recently confirmed that the Kingdom Hearts collection will launch on Nintendo’s new console in October 2026, with Kingdom Hearts IV also planned for the platform when the game is ready for release.
Although no new game announcements have been confirmed for D23, the event is expected to offer behind-the-scenes stories, appearances from key contributors, and a celebration of one of gaming’s most enduring crossover franchises.
