Overwatch 2 is confirmed to be getting yet another new game mode called Payload Race, one that doubles the stakes in comparison to normal matches by adding 2 payloads.
Overwatch is currently experiencing a renaissance, a flood of new content and ways to play the game, and that’s not stopping any time soon.
Hot off the back of Stadium’s introduction, we’re getting another core game mode soon: Payload Race. Rather than just fighting over one objective, this mode is adding two at once.
Here’s everything we know about Overwatch 2’s Payload Race mode so far:
When is Payload Race coming to Overwatch 2?
Payload Race is arriving at the start of Season 17, so it should be coming on June 24, 2025. Those wanting for a new game mode to spice up Stadium won’t have to wait long.
It’ll come with 2 “new” maps, modified versions of Route 66 and King’s Row (the latter of which is titled London) that are re-formatted to fit the mode so they can shove two Payloads into one area. It isn’t yet known when more maps will be released for the mode.
What is Payload Race?
Payload Race is a Stadium-only game mode coming in Season 17, and it’s got two carts to fight for instead of one.
The core objective in Payload Race that makes it stand out from the normal version of the mode is that players will have to push their own Payload while actively sabotaging the opponent. It’ll require teams to be a bit more split up than usual, similar to 2CP in the olden days of OW1.
According to Senior Game Designer Dylan Snyder, the mode will play something like this:
“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!”
Payloads are one of Overwatch 2’s most iconic objective types, and now we’ll be getting maps with two of them.
So, while the map layouts haven’t yet been revealed, it’s safe to assume that paths will converge at certain points and create opportunities for teams to duke it out right next to each other, while other portions of the map will see paths diverge and require teams to play a bit more separate.
We don’t know much else about the mode as of yet, but considering it’s coming in Season 17, we’ll know more soon.
