Here's the Overwatch 2 release time

Overwatch 2 first impressions preview — (Image credit: Activision)

The Overwatch 2 release time is at 12pm PDT on October 4. That's when it unlocks and players can access all the the new Heroes, maps, and the first Battle Pass in Overwatch 2. Overwatch 2 is entirely replacing the previous game, now that we've seen the end of Overwatch 1, so at this point there's no going back. Below, you’ll find all the Overwatch 2 release times for all the different time zones and when you’ll be able to preload the game, so you can start playing soon after launch.

What time does Overwatch 2 release?

Overwatch 2 global release time graphic — (Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)

Overwatch 2 Hero changes

You can check out all the Overwatch 2 Hero changes here and see what buffs and nerfs have been applied to your fave characters.

Overwatch 2 should go live on October 4 at 12pm PDT / 3pm EDT / 8pm BST / 9pm CEST, assuming everything goes to plan and there are no further issues – for those in far eastern time zones, such as Australia and South Korea, Overwatch 2 launches in the morning of October 5.

Once the servers are brought back online, all Overwatch players will need to download Overwatch 2 in order to play as the sequel will replace the original. It’ll still be mostly the same, except for a few big changes to Heroes and the move to 5v5 matches instead of 6v6. The release of Overwatch 2 will also bring the newest heroes – Sojourn, Junker Queen, and the Season 1 Battle Pass character Kiriko – six new maps, including a few for the new Push mode, and the first premium Battle Pass with exclusive cosmetics. Returning players should ensure they set up Overwatch 2 cross progression and account merging to keep all their Hero unlocks and stats and should consider preloading the game.

When you can preload Overwatch 2

Overwatch 2 battle.net check for updates Overwatch 2 preinstall — (Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)

The option to pre-download Overwatch 2 before October 4 is only available to returning Overwatch 1 players and owners of the Overwatch 2 Watchpoint Pack. We've listed the exact times you'll be able to start pre-installing Overwatch 2 below, but you should read our full Overwatch 2 preload guide for more details:

PC players via Battle.net: Overwatch 2 can be pre-installed on Battle.net now.
Console players: Preloading can be started on your console of choice several hours before the Overwatch 2 launch at approximately 9am PDT / 12pm EDT / 5pm BST / 6pm CEST on October 4.

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Will Sawyer is a Guides Editor at GamesRadar+ with over five years of experience in writing online guides, news, and features, and has a BA (Hons) in Journalism. Starting as a freelancer, Will contributed to startmenu and Game Rant before joining the GamesRadar+ team in August 2021. Since then, he has written hundreds of guides about a huge range of games, with shooters and action games being his areas of expertise. Outside of writing about games, Will hops between multiplayer shooters with friends, such as Darktide and Helldivers 2, and delves into whatever has been on his backlog for far too long. He also tries to get through his never-ending Warhammer pile of shame of grey Tyranids, Aeldari, and Chaos Space Marines.