The annual Back to Hogwarts celebration returned on September 1, 2026, with a livestream packed with new Harry Potter announcements, experiences, merchandise, theme-park news and a major update to the iconic Sorting Ceremony.
For Harry Potter fans, September 1 is always a special date. It is the day Hogwarts students traditionally board the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9¾ and begin another school year.
But Back to Hogwarts 2026 was always going to be bigger than usual.
This year marks 25 years since Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone first arrived in cinemas, while HBO’s highly anticipated new Harry Potter television series is scheduled to debut at Christmas 2026.
The celebrations culminated in a special Back to Hogwarts Showcase, streamed live from London on the official Harry Potter channels. The event promised “exciting announcements” from across the Wizarding World — and it delivered several new reveals.
Here is everything announced.
A brand-new Sorting Hat experience
The most immediate announcement was also one of the most nostalgic.
The official Harry Potter website has launched a new version of its online Sorting Hat experience, allowing fans to discover whether they belong in Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin.
The Sorting Ceremony has been part of the online Harry Potter experience since the Pottermore era. The latest version represents another major redesign of the experience, giving fans a new way to interact with one of Hogwarts’ most recognisable traditions.
The timing is particularly appropriate.
The official Harry Potter social accounts had teased the announcement the day before the showcase with an image of the Sorting Hat and the message that “something new” was coming from it.
The mystery was finally solved during the Back to Hogwarts presentation: the Sorting Hat has been reimagined as a new digital Sorting experience.
For longtime fans, this is more than simply another online quiz. The Sorting Ceremony has become one of the defining interactive elements of the Wizarding World, allowing fans to attach themselves to a Hogwarts House and use that identity across Harry Potter experiences.
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi teases three new themed lands
One of the more mysterious announcements came from Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi.
During the showcase, the theme park revealed that it will announce three new themed lands on September 7, 2026.
At the moment, the identities of all three lands have not been revealed.
That makes this one of the biggest pieces of unfinished business coming out of the showcase.
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi has previously confirmed development of the Middle East’s first Harry Potter-themed land, but the Back to Hogwarts presentation did not explicitly confirm whether that Harry Potter land is one of the three projects being teased for September 7.
So, while Harry Potter fans have obvious reason to be interested, it would be premature to assume that all three upcoming lands are Wizarding World-related.
The September 7 announcement should provide much more information.
New look at “ICE! featuring Harry Potter”
Fans also received a closer look at ICE! featuring Harry Potter, an upcoming frozen attraction at Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas.
The experience will run from November 13, 2026, through January 3, 2027.
And it sounds enormous.
The walk-through attraction will be maintained at approximately 9 degrees Fahrenheit and will use around 2 million pounds of ice to recreate scenes inspired by the Harry Potter films.
The showcase revealed new concept artwork showing several of the environments guests can expect to encounter.
Among them are:
- The Hogwarts Express arriving at Hogsmeade Station
- Honeydukes-inspired sweets and treats
- Hogwarts Castle
- A Christmas feast in the Great Hall
- A Hogwarts-themed playground
- Two-story ice slides
- Hedwig
- The Forbidden Forest
- The Three Broomsticks
- A Quidditch Pitch representing the four Hogwarts Houses
The combination of Harry Potter and a huge walk-through ice sculpture exhibition makes this one of the more unusual Wizarding World experiences announced for 2026.
And because the attraction runs through the Christmas and New Year period, the Great Hall Christmas feast and snowy Hogwarts setting should fit the seasonal atmosphere particularly well.
“Hogwarts House Spirit” is coming to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
Another new experience was announced for Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.
Called Hogwarts House Spirit, the seasonal event will run from January 23 through April 19, 2027.
The experience will celebrate all four Hogwarts Houses:
Gryffindor. Hufflepuff. Ravenclaw. Slytherin.
Rather than being limited to one section of the attraction, the House-themed celebration will incorporate the Studio Tour’s authentic film sets, costumes and props.
Additional information, including ticket details, is expected to be announced later.
The announcement is particularly fitting after a year in which Hogwarts House identity has once again become a major part of the franchise’s marketing — from the new online Sorting Ceremony to the redesigned House heraldry being used in HBO’s upcoming television adaptation.
A new broomstick experience is coming to Harry Potter Shop New York
Fans visiting the Harry Potter Shop New York will also have another magical experience to look forward to.
The showcase announced a new broomstick experience for the store.
Exactly what it will involve remains unclear.
The New York shop already has a broomstick photo and video experience in which visitors can pose on a broom against green-screen environments inspired by the Harry Potter films.
The new attraction appears to be something different, although the announcement did not yet reveal exactly how it will work or when it will open.
So this is another announcement where more information is expected.
Harry Potter Shop Oxford Street opening date revealed
One of the most substantial retail announcements concerns London.
The new Harry Potter Shop Oxford Street will officially open on November 4, 2026.
Located at The Ribbon, 134–140 Oxford Street, the store will cover more than 21,000 square feet across two floors, making it the largest official Harry Potter Shop in the United Kingdom.
And this is not being positioned as an ordinary merchandise store.
The interior will be designed around the Wizarding World, including a Diagon Alley-inspired environment.
Among the features announced are:
A Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon
A Ukrainian Ironbelly will hang above an area inspired by Gringotts Wizarding Bank.
A full-size Knight Bus
Fans will be able to see a full-scale version of the magical triple-decker bus made famous by Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
A Leaky Cauldron-inspired dining experience
The store will also feature a food and drink area inspired by the Leaky Cauldron.
Butterbeer and Butterbeer ice cream will be available.
Exclusive merchandise
The store will also stock exclusive items, including a Diagon Alley wand, a Harry Potter Funko Pop and MinaLima artwork.
With its size, immersive design and location in central London, the Oxford Street store could become one of the most significant permanent Harry Potter retail destinations in the world.
HBO’s Harry Potter series is heading to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The showcase also revealed a major piece of promotion for HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television series.
HBO’s Harry Potter will appear in the 2026 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
That gives the new adaptation another enormous mainstream promotional platform as the series approaches its Christmas premiere.
The television series is arguably the biggest Harry Potter project currently in development, and the timing of this announcement is significant.
The show is no longer a distant project.
It is now just months away from reaching audiences.
New LEGO sets based on the HBO series are coming
Harry Potter’s partnership with LEGO is also moving into the new television era.
The showcase confirmed that new LEGO sets inspired by HBO’s Harry Potter series are in development.
Specific sets, designs, prices and release dates were not announced during the showcase.
That means fans will have to wait for future LEGO announcements to discover exactly which scenes, characters and locations from the new adaptation will be turned into sets.
Given how extensively LEGO has covered the original Harry Potter films, however, the transition into designs based on the new HBO production is likely to be watched very closely by collectors.
New Harry Potter food products are coming
The Wizarding World is also expanding into the kitchen.
Several new Harry Potter food products were highlighted during the showcase, including:
- Chocolate Frogs
- Exploding Bon Bons
- A Sorting Hat hot chocolate bomb
- A Harry’s birthday cake baking kit
These products continue the franchise’s push to turn familiar pieces of the Wizarding World into real-world food experiences.
The Sorting Hat hot chocolate bomb is perhaps the most obvious Back to Hogwarts-themed product of the group, while the birthday cake baking kit taps directly into one of the most recognisable details from the beginning of Harry’s story.
More Harry Potter games are planned
Gaming fans also received a brief but potentially important tease.
The showcase confirmed that a variety of new Harry Potter games are planned.
Unfortunately, this was one of the announcements where the presentation did not provide the level of detail that many fans were hoping for.
In particular, the showcase did not provide a detailed announcement of the long-rumoured Hogwarts Legacy sequel.
That distinction is important.
There has been considerable fan speculation that a sequel to Hogwarts Legacy could eventually be revealed, but the Back to Hogwarts showcase’s announcement of “new Harry Potter games” should not automatically be interpreted as confirmation of Hogwarts Legacy 2.
For now, fans will have to wait for more information.
A New Trailer Is Coming!
The biggest Harry Potter news from today’s Back to Hogwarts celebrations has finally been revealed — a brand-new trailer for HBO’s Harry Potter series is coming tomorrow, 2 September!
The announcement was made by the official Harry Potter team during today’s livestream, sending fans into a frenzy as anticipation for the new series reaches another level.
After the first teaser gave us our initial glimpse at Dominic McLaughlin’s Harry Potter, alongside the new Ron and Hermione, fans have been eagerly waiting for more footage. Now, that wait is almost over.
The new trailer is expected to give us our most substantial look yet at the upcoming series, including more of Hogwarts and the magical world being recreated for a new generation.
With the series set to arrive on HBO and HBO Max at Christmas 2026, 2 September is shaping up to be a huge day for Harry Potter fans.
The countdown is officially on.
The HBO series: what had already been revealed before Back to Hogwarts
Although today’s showcase was full of new Wizarding World announcements, one of the biggest attractions surrounding this year’s Back to Hogwarts celebration is still HBO’s new Harry Potter television series.
Some of its biggest details had already been announced before the livestream.
The first season is officially titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and will debut at Christmas 2026 on HBO and HBO Max.
The first official teaser has already provided fans with a substantial look at the new adaptation.
It showed:
- Harry living with the Dursleys
- Harry’s cupboard under the stairs
- Harry at Muggle school
- Dudley and his friends bullying Harry
- Aunt Petunia attempting to cut Harry’s hair
- Harry travelling on the London Underground with Hagrid
- Hagrid discussing Harry’s parents
- The Hogwarts Express
- Hogwarts’ Entrance Hall
- Professor Sprout’s greenhouse
- The Gryffindor common room
- The new Hogwarts House heraldry
- New school uniforms
- The Sorting Hat
- Harry receiving his wand
- Quidditch
- The Nimbus 2000
- The Christmas snowball fight
- Harry, Ron and Hermione
- Dumbledore
- McGonagall
- Snape
- Hagrid
- Draco Malfoy
- The Dursleys
- Ollivander
- Crabbe and Goyle
- Pansy Parkinson
One particularly interesting aspect of the teaser is that the series intends to expand on small moments that were only briefly mentioned in J.K. Rowling’s book.
For example, Harry’s experiences at Muggle school, his terrible haircut and his encounter with Dudley are being brought to life in greater detail.
That suggests the HBO adaptation may have significantly more room to explore Harry’s life before Hogwarts than the original film adaptation did.
New Hogwarts designs for the HBO series
The new television series is also introducing its own visual identity for Hogwarts.
The teaser showed redesigned House heraldry while retaining the familiar House colours and animal mascots.
The Hogwarts uniforms have also been redesigned.
Students will continue to wear the traditional black robes, but the series introduces clearer House-specific details, including differently coloured ties.
One particularly noticeable change is the Hogwarts crest.
Rather than the traditional detailed coat of arms, the new television series uses a simpler “H” design on the uniforms.
The Sorting Hat itself has also been redesigned with a look that aims to more closely match its description in the original novel.
Hans Zimmer is composing a new score
Another major detail surrounding the HBO series is the involvement of legendary composer Hans Zimmer.
The official Harry Potter website has confirmed that Zimmer has created a new score for the series, although the music had not yet been heard when the first teaser was released.
This is an intriguing development because the original Harry Potter films are so strongly associated with John Williams’ music.
The new series therefore faces a considerable challenge: it needs to sound like Harry Potter without simply attempting to reproduce the original films.
A new score could give the television adaptation its own musical identity.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone returns to cinemas
Back to Hogwarts 2026 is also celebrating the 25th anniversary of the first Harry Potter film.
As part of the celebrations, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is returning to cinemas around the world.
It is an appropriate choice for the anniversary.
The 2001 film introduced millions of people to Hogwarts, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, Hagrid and the wider Wizarding World.
Twenty-five years later, audiences are being invited to experience that beginning on the big screen again just as a new television generation prepares to start the story from the beginning.
More than 200,000 Harry Potter books and audiobooks are being donated
The 2026 celebration isn’t limited to entertainment.
A major reading initiative called “The Magic Starts Here” has also been announced.
From September 1, more than 200,000 print books and full-cast audiobooks of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone are being donated to schools, libraries and hospitals across the UK, United States and other territories.
The initiative is supported by publishers including Scholastic, Bloomsbury and Pottermore Publishing, together with Audible and international publishing partners.
There is also a digital lending initiative.
Throughout September, waitlists for the ebook and digital audiobook editions will be lifted, making it easier for readers to borrow the first Harry Potter story through participating libraries.
And there is another particularly interesting part of the promotion.
From September 1 through Halloween, the Stephen Fry and Jim Dale audiobook editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone will be available without a paid subscription through participating services including the official Harry Potter YouTube channel, Audible, Amazon Music and Spotify.
The YouTube release is especially notable because it represents the first time listeners outside North America will be able to access the Jim Dale edition through that platform.
A global Back to Hogwarts celebration
The livestream was only one part of a much larger worldwide celebration.
Events and activations are taking place across multiple territories, including Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific and elsewhere.
In London, HBO Max hosted a dedicated Platform 9¾ Fan Experience connected to the new television series, giving fans a physical preview of the upcoming adaptation.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London held its own Back to Hogwarts activities, including an 11 a.m. announcement and repeated broadcasts throughout the day at Platform 9¾.
Fans could also encounter:
- Animatronic Hagrid demonstrations
- Back to Hogwarts photo opportunities
- Themed food and drink
- Hogwarts train tickets
- A digital Harry Potter quiz
- Special merchandise
There were also special celebrations at the Harry Potter Shops in New York and Chicago.
Universal theme parks join the celebrations
Universal’s Wizarding World attractions have also embraced the 2026 celebrations.
At Universal Orlando Resort, the 25th-anniversary celebrations include special food and beverage offerings, a limited-edition Butterbeer mug and the return of the Hogwarts Always castle projection show in Hogsmeade.
Universal Studios Hollywood has introduced experiences including an encounter with the Monster Book of Monsters, along with House-themed giveaways, food and merchandise.
Both Orlando and Hollywood are also introducing a park-exclusive Build-A-Bag collection created with Lug.
At Universal Studios Japan, fans can experience special after-hours access to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, alongside the return of Hogwarts Castle Walk.
And Universal Beijing Resort has introduced a new Hogwarts Always projection show, alongside themed food, merchandise, photo opportunities and giveaways.
What was NOT announced?
Perhaps just as important as what was announced is what wasn’t.
There had been substantial fan speculation before the showcase about several major possibilities.
The biggest was Hogwarts Legacy 2.
Although the showcase confirmed that more Harry Potter games are planned, it did not make a major formal reveal of a Hogwarts Legacy sequel.
Likewise, the showcase was not primarily a giant HBO casting presentation. However a new trailer will be realised 2nd September. This could in turn be followed up by casting announcements alike.
The HBO series remains scheduled for Christmas 2026, and the previously released teaser remains the principal official preview of the new adaptation.
Why Back to Hogwarts 2026 matters
The 2026 celebration feels different from a normal Back to Hogwarts event because the Harry Potter franchise is effectively entering another major transition.
There are three generations of Harry Potter entertainment meeting at once.
First, there is the original story.
The first film is celebrating its 25th anniversary, while Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone continues to be introduced to new readers and listeners.
Second, there is the existing Wizarding World.
Theme parks, Studio Tours, shops, games, merchandise and immersive experiences continue to expand.
And third, there is the future.
HBO is preparing to retell Harry’s first year at Hogwarts as a television series, with a much longer format allowing the books to be explored in considerably more detail.
That makes the timing of Back to Hogwarts 2026 particularly appropriate.
The franchise is looking backward at where Harry Potter began while simultaneously building an entirely new version of Hogwarts for the next generation.
Final thoughts: the biggest announcements from Back to Hogwarts 2026
For fans who missed the livestream, the most important announcements can be summed up as follows:
The biggest new reveals were:
- A new official online Sorting Hat experience
- Three new themed lands teased for Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi
- New concept art for ICE! featuring Harry Potter
- Hogwarts House Spirit coming to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
- A new broomstick experience coming to Harry Potter Shop New York
- Harry Potter Shop Oxford Street opening November 4
- HBO’s Harry Potter joining the 2026 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
- New LEGO sets based on the HBO series in development
- New Harry Potter food products, including a Sorting Hat hot chocolate bomb
- More Harry Potter games in development
- A new HBO Harry Potter trailer dropping 2nd September
And surrounding those announcements is the much larger 2026 celebration: the 25th anniversary theatrical return of Philosopher’s Stone, worldwide fan events, the huge book-and-audiobook donation campaign, Universal theme-park celebrations and, most importantly, the imminent arrival of HBO’s new Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stoneseries.
The new Hogwarts is almost here.
And after 25 years, September 1 once again feels like the beginning of something.
All aboard the Hogwarts Express.
