Season 17 of Overwatch 2 is scheduled to launch next week, as revealed by Blizzard. The update introduces significant changes to the hero shooter’s evolving gameplay, with Stadium mode taking center stage.

Following player enthusiasm for Stadium, this season expands the mode with Junkrat, Sigma, and Zenyatta as playable heroes. Fresh battlegrounds include Samoa and Esperança, while Stadium Forge—a new build-sharing framework—will empower players to experiment with team strategies and preconfigured hero loadouts for different match phases.

A rank reset debuts for Stadium, offering players a clean competitive slate. New progression systems, customizable rule sets via Custom Games, and exclusive All-Star cosmetics aim to keep the mode engaging.

Map selection arrives in Quick Play and Competitive matches. During role lock, three randomized maps appear for voting, with weighted probabilities determining the final choice. Anonymous voting and early leaver penalties aim to maintain fair play.

Three new environments join the rotation: Morocco’s Aatlis Flashpoint map emphasizes close-quarters combat, while Stadium’s Esperança rework features multi-level lanes for tactical flexibility. Samoa’s volcanic arena blends verticality with open spaces for high-octane skirmishes.

Season 17 breaks tradition by launching dual Mythic items immediately—D.Va’s Horang Hero Skin and Reaper’s Steel Death Weapon—each featuring four-tier visual progression.

From July 15-28, the chaotic 6v6 Hacks & Hijinks event will cycle unpredictable modifiers like zero-gravity battles and supercharged Ultimates across Control maps.