Overwatch 2 Payload Race Mode Revealed – Here's What We Know So Far

It’s no secret that the team at Blizzard has been putting the pedal to the metal, maintaining a fantastic pace of new and exciting content for Overwatch 2 since the launch of Season 15. First, we got the introduction of Perks, and now in Season 16, we have the new Stadium map. Looking ahead, it seems the next big addition will be a brand-new game mode called Payload Race. So, let’s break down what we know about it so far.

Overwatch 2 Announces Payload Race Mode for Stadium In Season 18

As seen in the official Overwatch 2 dev blog discussing the game's past, present, and future, Blizzard has unveiled the upcoming seasonal roadmap, highlighting plans for Seasons 17, 18, and 19. One of the most exciting announcements is the introduction of a brand-new game mode: Payload Race, set to debut in Season 18.

New Payload Race Mode in #Overwatch2 🛻

This Stadium-exclusive mode is set to launch with two updated maps, Route 66 and London, in Season 18! pic.twitter.com/VCaZXFwe50

— Overwatch Cavalry (@OWCavalry) May 1, 2025

While there’s no confirmed release date yet, based on Blizzard’s typical nine-week seasonal cycle, Season 18 is expected to begin in August 2025, shortly after Season 17 ends on June 24, 2025.

Payload Race is described as a mode exclusive to Stadium, the futuristic new map introduced in Season 16. In this mode, both teams push their payloads while actively trying to sabotage each other. According to Senior Game Designer Dylan Snyder:

"In Payload Race, teams escort their payloads toward their destination, battling each other along winding pathways and evolving environments. This culminates in an exciting all-out brawl at the finish line, as the leading team attempts to close out their victory, and the trailing team does whatever they can to stop them!"

Alongside the new mode, the developers also confirmed that two brand-new maps will launch with Payload Race, giving players an entirely fresh and dynamic experience for Stadium mode.

Unfortunately, deeper gameplay details are still under wraps, but we’ll keep this page updated with the latest news and everything we learn about Overwatch 2 Season 18 and its highly anticipated Payload Race mode.