Blizzard has continued their process of redefining Overwatch 2 with their new game mode “Stadium” which was released on April 22, 2025, coinciding with the launch of Season 16.

The classic idiom “competition breeds excellence” seems to be doing wonders for the game.  The team has made some extensive changes—adding hero bans to competitive play, bringing 6v6 back permanently, adding perks to individual heroes, and launching the MOBA inspired mode Stadium—since the launch and massive success of Marvel Rivals.

The new mode introduces a 5v5, best-of-seven round-based format, featuring unique mechanics like the Armory system for hero upgrades and the option to switch between first-person and third-person perspectives.

It’s quite a shakeup from preexisting modes, and can make the process of learning for new and returning fans a little bumpy—especially when playing in third-person. Even as a veteran Overwatch player, I initially struggled understanding the potential builds for individual characters, and when to play who on what map. 

Whether you’re climbing the ranked ladder or just trying to avoid getting steamrolled, I’ve gone ahead and assembled some essential tips to help you master, or at least feel more comfortable, with Stadium and the current best heroes. 

General Tips for Stadium 

Overwatch 2’s Stadium mode is a round-based, hero-progression format where strategic teamplay and smart upgrades are crucial. Each round is short and intense, so staying alive and capitalizing on early momentum can swing the outcome. Once you select a hero at the start, you’re locked in for the entire match—so pick someone you’re confident with and plan your build accordingly.

As you win rounds, you’ll earn the ability to enhance your hero with special powers and items. Make sure your selections synergize—tanks should look for barrier durability or overhealth buffs, damage players should prioritize cooldown reductions or damage enhancements, and supports often benefit from ultimate charge boosts or healing amplification. Since you can’t swap heroes, these upgrades define your playstyle, but you can sell items and rechoose your build path between rounds. As always with Overwatch, be flexible and base upgrades around the other team’s build. 

The maps in Stadium are built for mobility and creativity, with ziplines, bounce pads, and vertical positions to control. Learning these features gives your team an edge, allowing faster rotations and better positioning. Coordination is key: group up, push objectives together, and communicate cooldowns or enemy movements. 

Lastly, don’t panic if you fall behind early—each round is a fresh opportunity to learn and adjust. The best players in Stadium thrive not just through mechanics, but by mastering their build, map movement, and team synergy over the course of the match.

Best Tank Heroes 

1. Junker Queen

Junker Queen absolutely thrives in Stadium’s close-quarters chaos. Her ability to sustain through wounds and pull isolated targets makes her a menace in 5v5 skirmishes. The best builds I’ve seen focus on upgrading her ability power and ability lifesteal to increase her output, while keeping her alive. 

Things to keep in mind:

• Adrenaline Rush (Passive): Lean into self-healing—you’re your own support.
• Carnage + Commanding Shout Combo: Use shout to push in aggressively, then finish off with Carnage. Pair with Booming Voice to increase shout range and ability power. 
• Rampage (Ultimate): Time it for when enemies cluster on the point. Anti-heal wins rounds. Pair with Iridescent Iris to get a significant buff in overhealth once finishing your ultimate. 
• Preferred Map: Pulse Dome – tight quarters let her dominate space.
  

Pro Tip: Focus on isolating squishies and diving backlines. Use Shout to engage or disengage depending on enemy cooldowns.

2. Reinhardt

Similar to Junker Queen, the reduction in map sizes heavily favor brawl-based tanks and Rein’s brawl potential is unmatched when you play smart. His shield protects the team while his hammer closes out tight fights. He can be extremely oppressive on the frontline if upgraded properly with powers like Wilhelmwagen and items like Overclocked Barrier.

Things to keep in mind:

• Barrier Field Management: Use short bursts to absorb poke until upgrading the barrier with more range and health. 
• Fire Strike for Poke Damage: Especially helpful in forcing cooldowns before committing. Use powers like Impact Burst to increase Fire Strike’s threat. 
• Earthshatter: Wait until enemies are grouped on the zone or bouncing back in after a reset. Pair with Blazing Blitz for a bit more chaos in your build. 
• Preferred Map: Crater Clash – Rein shines in the open choke-to-point funnel.
  

Pro Tip: Save Charge for either flanking cleanup or escape. 

Best Damage Heroes 

1. Soldier: 76 

Soldier 76 is one of the most prominent heroes I have seen in Stadium, and with powers like Super Visor and Double Helix it makes total sense. His hitscan pressure, sprint for repositioning, and self-heal make him a reliable pick in most matches.  

Things to keep in mind:

• Helix Rocket for Burst: Always lead with this when ambushing. You can use Double Helix to shoot a second homing rocket with a damage reduction. 
• Sprint + Positioning: Abuse verticality to get high ground—think Solar Arc.
• Tactical Visor: Pair with Ana Nano or Kiriko’s Suzu cleanse for safe aggression and use Super Visor to allow yourself to activate the ability after using Helix Rocket.
  Preferred Map: Solar Arc – lots of elevation options for flanking and drop shots.

Pro Tip: Use Biotic Field just outside the fight so it can’t be interrupted. You’re not a frontliner.

2. Cassidy 

Cassidy thrives in Stadium’s close-quarters chaos thanks to his high burst potential and solid midrange presence. The compact map design and frequent skirmishes reward players who can land quick, accurate shots and hold strong positions. His lack of vertical mobility is a trade-off, but Stadium’s flatter layouts let him shine when anchoring a lane or locking down flank routes.

Things to keep in mind:

• Combat Roll to Reload and Reposition: Helps dodge early crowd control and isolate angles. Pair with Just Roll With It to help prevent incoming damage. 
• Deadeye: Save for staggered pushes—not for full team wipes. Pair with Easy Rider to greatly increase survivability when scanning for easy targets.
• Preferred Map: Pulse Dome – narrow lines of sight reward precision aimers.
  

Pro Tip: Cassidy excels at punishing overextensions. Post up and farm squishies diving the backline.

Best Support Heroes

1. Kiriko 

Kiriko is the queen of clutch. She thrives in Stadium with her ability to teleport to teammates, cleanse debuffs, and pump out headshots.

Things to keep in mind:

• Suzu Cleanse Timing: Save it for anti-heals and stuns. It wins rounds when timed right.
• Teleport Offense: Use Swift Step to follow up on flanks—not just to retreat. You can pair this with Fleet Foot to use directionally without a target. 
• Kitsune Rush: Push with your team, not behind them. This enables more aggression. Additionally, pair with Crossing Guard to reduce enemy movement speed by -50%.
• Preferred Map: Solar Arc – vertical lanes let Kiriko warp where needed most.

Pro Tip: Mix healing and damage in 60/40 balance. Your headshots delete enemies faster than you’d think.

2. Juno 

Juno excels in Stadium as a mobility-focused support, offering dynamic movement options and speed boosts that can shift the tide of battle. Her kit is designed to enhance team positioning and facilitate rapid engagements or retreats, making her invaluable in the fast-paced environment of Stadium mode.

Things to keep in mind:

• Hyper Ring: Use Hyper Ring proactively to boost your team’s movement speed, enabling quick rotations and aggressive engagements. Coordinate with teammates to maximize its impact.
• Glide Boost: Utilize Glide Boost to hover and reposition, making it harder for enemies to target you and allowing you to support from optimal angles.
• Orbital Ray: Deploy Orbital Ray during team engagements to provide sustained healing and damage amplification, giving your team a significant advantage in prolonged fights.
  Preferred Map: Crater Clash – The open terrain of Crater Clash complements Juno’s mobility tools, allowing her to maneuver effectively and provide consistent support across the battlefield.

Pro Tip: Mastering Juno’s movement abilities is key. Use Glide Boost and Hyper Ring not just for mobility but as tools to control the flow of battle, enabling your team to dictate engagements on your terms.