With Overwatch's turn to a year-long story arc, what would have been Season 21 is now Season 2: Summit. While the context has changed, what you can expect from the new season is very similar to previous updates and builds on the new direction set by Season 1: Conquest.
There's a lot to look forward to in the update, including, of course, a new hero. But the new features and balance changes are arguably more interesting, though. Below, I'll go over when you can play Overwatch Season 2 in your time zone, and everything you can expect to sink your teeth into.
When does the new Overwatch season start?
Overwatch Season 2: Summit begins on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 11 am PT / 2 pm ET / 7 pm GMT. You'll be able to preload this update on PC and console to save you time tomorrow.
This coincides with the end of the current season, so you've still got a little time left to finish your battle pass. Take note that the April Fools event finishes on April 13, a full day before the launch of the next season.
What's coming in Overwatch Season 2?
Here's everything arriving in Season 2:
- New DPS hero Sierra
- Several perks will be added to select heroes' standard abilities, with updated sounds and animations
- Mercy's Flash Heal
- Reaper's Dire Triggers
- Pharah's Drift Thruster
- New Stadium heroes
- Ramattra is being added with Season 2's launch
- Juno is getting a Stadium rework
- Jetpack Cat arrives in the mid-season update
- Operation Grand Mesa: A three-week event about Sierra's stand against Talon
- Antarctica map rework
- The post-match accolades system returns from Overwatch 1 with a new look
- As an experiment, you will also be able to join a lobby voice chat in this screen (which includes talking to the enemy)
- Significant overhauls to the map voting system
- Maps with a majority of votes (six or more) will always win the vote
- There will be a new 'random map' option
- There will be icons to show whether you'll be attacking or defending first
- When you play on a new or reworked map in Competitive, you'll lose less progress if you lose the match
- New Mmythic skins
- Volted Overdrive Soldier: 76 skin
- Sumi-ichimonji Genji weapon
This season also marks Overwatch's ten-year anniversary, where I'm sure we'll get some new events or other goodies. On that note, there's also another Diablo collaboration (finally a new Ramattra skin), likely arriving in the mid-season update.
For most players, though, the brand-new hero is no doubt the most exciting addition. Say hello to Sierra, a Recon DPS hero.
Here are Sierra's abilities:
Ability |
Type |
Effect |
|---|---|---|
Helix Rifle |
Primary weapon |
An automatic rifle that shoots in a spiral pattern, gaining accuracy the longer you fire. |
Tracking Shot |
Ability |
Fire a dart to mark an enemy, causing Helix Rifle shots to automatically track to them. |
Anchor Drone |
Ability |
Throw a drone into the air. Activate the ability again to launch towards it. |
Tremor Charge |
Ability |
Throw a grenade that creates a shockwave on impact. |
Trailblazer |
Ultimate |
Deploy a drone that flies forward and carpet bombs the area. |
Recon |
Sub-role Passive |
Detect enemies below half health through walls after damaging them. |
And here are Sierra's perks:
Minor:
- Full Flight: Increase Anchor Drone flight and grapple range by 25%.
- Tight Grip: Helix Rifle's bullet spread tightens 100% faster and widens 30% slower.
Major:
- Medi-Drone: Anchor Drones hold a small health pack.
- Locked In: Firing Tracking Shot increases your attack speed by 20% for two seconds.
