Overwatch Season 16 Stadium release date, new character Freja, gameplay trailer, new skins

fans are counting down to the start of Season 16, which introduces the brand new Stadium mode and lots more.

Overwatch 2 Season 16 has an April 22 release date on , PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC and . Judging by past seasons, UK fans can expect to start playing between 5-6pm BST.

Needless to say, the new season will launch alongside a big new update, which will add all of the new content and features, including Stadium.

As you can see from the gameplay trailer below, Stadium is a best of seven game mode with some interesting new twists.

"Stadium is the new best-of-7, multi-round way to play Overwatch 2, where two teams of five face off in magnificent arenas as they purchase upgraded items and powers to radically transform their Heroes-all experienced through our new third-person camera," reads the official description.

According to Blizzard, Teams will be made up of one Tank, two Damage and two Support characters. There will be 17 characters available at launch.

"Following each round, you'll first upgrade your Hero with Powers, ability-changing modifiers that can completely change how your hero is played," Blizzard continues.

"Then you'll spend Stadium Cash, a new scoring currency used to purchase upgrades to your Hero's kit in the Armoury. With Items and Powers gained throughout the entire match, you'll be in control of your uniquely built hero throughout the entire game."

With lots of different ways to spend your money between rounds, it looks like Stadium matches will be extremely varied and chaotic.

In addition to Stadium, Overwatch 2 fans will also be able to play as a brand new hero, as Freja finally joins the game.

Freja comes with a Revdraw crossbow which rapidly fires automatic bolts. The new damage hero can also slow momentum to take aim with a high speed explosive bolt, which can be refreshed using Quick Dash.

Abilities include the aforementioned Quick Dash, as well as Updraft which sees Freja launch upward with a gust of wind.

Freja's Ultimate is the Bola Shot, which sees her fire an explosive bolt that pulls in other nearby enemies.

Of course, a new season also means lots of new skins and Battle Pass rewards, including Legendary Demon Rockers Ashe, Lifeweaver, and Mauga, which you can see below.

There's also the Mythic Heart of Hope Juno, Masked Rose Venture, two Legendary Loot boxes and lots more.

Outside of new skins, game modes and characters, the new season introduces Hero Bans for Competitive Play.

"Before each match, both teams will vote to remove up to four heroes from play (two per team, no more than two per role) to tweak team compositions and add an extra layer of mind games before the real fighting begins," Blizzard explains.

"It's a system built for strategic thinkers and team players, which rewards coordination and understanding of hero synergies."

If you see a particular character dominating matches, then Hero Bans should help to level the playing field and ensure no two games feel the same.