BlizzardOverwatch 2 Season 16 is set to be another huge update for the popular hero shooter, bringing a new character, mode, and even the long-requested hero ban feature.
As updates go, they don’t come much bigger than OW2 Season 15. Not only did it bring loot boxes back for the first time in years, but it also added a Perks system — the biggest core gameplay change since launch in 2016.
Blizzard are showing no signs of slowing down though, as they’re following it up with another huge content drop. Here’s everything we know about Season 16, including when it’s due to arrive.
When does Overwatch 2 Season 16 start?
Season 16 is due to begin on April 22, 2025, according to the current Battle Pass timer suggesting that Season 15 will end on this date. New seasons tend to begin on the same day without downtime, so April 22 looks like the most likely date.
However, no concrete date has been revealed and major updates have been known to move forwards or back as development progresses, so we’ll update this page as soon as we know more.
New hero Freja
BlizzardOne of the biggest additions in Season 16 is Freja, the first new DPS hero since Venture in Season 10. The character was first shown off during the OW Spotlight event, where we learned about her backstory as well as her kit.
She comes from Denmark and was part of the Overwatch team as a search and rescue operative before its collapse. After the organization disbanded and went their separate ways, she began a new life as a bounty hunter.
This is reflected in her kit, which uses an automatic crossbow and has great mobility. Check out our guide for a full breakdown of Freja’s abilities.
Stadium mode
BlizzardThe other huge arrival is Stadium, a brand-new mode that is set to become the third core mode going forward, alongside Quick Play and Competitive.
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In Stadium, teams compete in bite-sized versions of established OW modes in best-of-seven matches. Between rounds, you can spend currency earned for elimination or general good gameplay to unlock upgrades.
Then, every two rounds, you get to choose a new Power. These are wild abilities that can drastically alter a character’s playstyle or double down on their greatest strengths, such as allowing Moira to fire multiple orbs at once.
The aim of this mode is to embrace the fun factor in a way that isn’t possible in regular or ranked matches, where the playing field has to be as balanced as possible. It also comes with its own ranking system, so it’s much more than just a temporary distraction.
Hero bans
For many years, players have been calling for hero bans in Competitive, to give teams the chance to remove overpowered characters from the equation. After Marvel Rivals implemented the feature successfully, it’s finally coming to Overwatch in Season 16.
In Diamond or above, before each match players will vote for which heroes they want to make unavailable for selection. Both teams pick one, meaning that two will be removed from every single match.
We’re expecting even more to be announced as we head closer to the start date, so we’ll update this page with all the details once we know more.
In the meantime, take a look at how to unlock Galactic weapons and the odds of getting a legendary in loot boxes.