Back in the evolving world of Overwatch 2, the buzz is all about the continuation of the 6v6 Open Queue game modes for Season 16, as announced officially. This follows the enthusiastic reception from Season 15 where it first made its mark. Although Blizzard hasn’t stamped a seal of confirmation on the future of these modes, the co-existence of both 5v5 and 6v6 formats seems like a strong possibility on the horizon.
A major shift in the franchise was the move from the traditional six-player teams to more streamlined five-player squads. This decision stirred up quite a bit of debate, nudging Overwatch 2 to re-experiment with the classic 6v6 setup. This reintroduction kicked off in Season 14 through limited-time tests, which proved incredibly engaging for the community. As a result, the 6v6 Open Queue became a staple in both Quick Play and Competitive modes throughout Season 15, albeit with a stipulation limiting teams to two tanks.
As Season 15 wraps up, fans will be thrilled to know that the 6v6 Open Queue isn’t going anywhere just yet. Overwatch 2’s associate game director, Alec Dawson, shared in a recent Director’s Take blog that this fan-favorite mode will continue not only in Quick Play but also in Competitive for all of the upcoming Season 16. For at least the next two months, players can enjoy this mode alongside the standard 5v5 Role Queue.
Discussing the dynamics of these game modes, Dawson highlighted that during Season 15, Competitive 6v6 Open Queue was immensely popular—holding the third spot until the whimsical Totally Normalwatch April Fools’ mode bumped it to fourth. The game saw an approximately 3:1 match ratio favoring 5v5 over 6v6. Interestingly, despite the absence of a Role Queue, many 6v6 teams organically stuck to the traditional 2-2-2 composition, showcasing the enduring appeal of this classic setup.
Dawson is hopeful that the metrics gathered in Season 16 will provide valuable insights into how these two competitive formats can harmoniously coexist in the game’s future. Although there’s no concrete announcement yet, the prospect of a permanent 6v6 game mode seems quite promising as we look forward to future seasons.
The curtain for Overwatch 2’s Season 16 rises on April 22, introducing a new cold-blooded damage hero, Freja. This mobile, high-skill bounty hunter is coming in hot—or rather cold—with fresh tweaks and enhancements. Players can expect a batch of updates aimed at balancing the game further, fine-tuning perks, and introducing new strategic opportunities, ensuring each match is packed with excitement and fresh challenges.
