Overwatch 2 has had a rough time since its 2023 launch, alienating players of the original game with its changes to gameplay fundamentals while struggling to find a compelling identity of its own. Now, it’s set to get the biggest change since its release with a whole new game mode that’s fundamentally different from anything that’s come before. The week before Stadium mode launches, Blizzard is laying out what players should expect, and it sounds like this could be the most important moment in Overwatch 2’s existence.
As Blizzard previously announced, Stadium is a new mode that pits teams of five against each other in matches consisting of seven rounds and offers an option to play from a third-person view for the first time in Overwatch history. After each round, players can purchase upgrades that strengthen or radically alter their abilities in the fights to follow using Stadium Cash earned by downing opponents. Teams will have role requirements of one tank, two damage-dealers, and two support characters. Stadium launches at the start of Overwatch 2’s Season 16, which begins on April 22.
