Overwatch 2 beta coming very soon — here’s how to play

Overwatch 2 screenshot
(Image credit: Blizzard)

Overwatch 2 will be holding its first beta later this month. As announced during Summer Game Fest, the colorful hero shooter sequel is set to launch in October, but you can start playing much earlier thanks to this early access beta. 

Developer Blizzard has announced that the Overwatch 2 beta will start on June 28, which is in less than two weeks. Additional beta details and the sign-up portal will launch tomorrow (June 16), but we do already have confirmation that this beta will run on PC (via Battlenet) as well as both PlayStation and Xbox consoles. 

It’s also been teased that players will have access to the latest combatant joining the roster, Junker Queen, during the Overwatch 2 beta. Junker Queen was first unveiled during the Xbox & Bethesda Showcase last week. She’s a tank-class character and primarily wields a shotgun but also packs two oversized axes for close-range melee attacks. She can even throw these axes and recall them using a magnetic glove. 

This beta will be the first time that console players have had the chance to try out Overwatch 2, but PC gamers were able to participate in a closed alpha back in April. During this technical test, Overwatch 2 surpassed the peak Twitch viewership of its predecessor. It would seem the game’s rabid fanbase is very keen to see more from this long-awaited sequel, and will surely be eager to participate in this beta. 

Overwatch 2 has been a long time coming. It was first announced in 2019 but is finally set to release in early access form on October 4, 2022. It will launch on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch. Unlike the first game which was released as a full-priced title, Overwatch 2 will be free-to-play at launch. 

Unfortunately, it's been confirmed that the game’s much-touted PvE component will not be ready for launch in October. Instead, only the game's online multiplayer will release at this time, with its single-player offering coming somewhere down the road. It's not yet confirmed if this mode will also be free-to-play. 

Read next: Overwatch 2 battle pass — here's what you need to know.

Rory Mellon
Entertainment Editor (UK)

Rory is an Entertainment Editor at Tom’s Guide based in the UK. He covers a wide range of topics but with a particular focus on gaming and streaming. When he’s not reviewing the latest games, searching for hidden gems on Netflix, or writing hot takes on new gaming hardware, TV shows and movies, he can be found attending music festivals and getting far too emotionally invested in his favorite football team. 

Read more
Sniper Elite: Resistance
5 biggest new games launching in January 2025 for PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PC
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 screenshot
7 biggest new games launching in February 2025 for PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PC
PlayStation logo on a phone in front of a State of Play logo.
PlayStation State of Play live updates — Metal Gear Solid Delta, MindsEye, and more announced
Nintendo Switch 2 console
Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order speculation — no details yet but you can register your interest now
Fall guys
Best free PS4 games in 2025
Fallout TV show poster
‘Fallout’ season 2 just got big updates from two major stars — and now I’m even more excited
Latest in Gaming
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Tuesday, March 11 (#639)
Xbox handheld
Xbox handheld reportedly arriving this year, new PC-like console in 2027
NYT Strands on a cellphone
NYT Strands today — hints, spangram and answers for game #373 (Tuesday, March 11 2025)
Animated image of Super Mario Wonder game with Toms Guide act fast logo
Epic Nintendo Switch sale is live from $4 — 19 Mario Day deals I'm shopping now
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Monday, March 10 (#638)
NYT Strands on a cellphone
NYT Strands today — hints, spangram and answers for game #372 (Monday, March 10 2025)
Latest in News
iOS 19 logo on an iPhone
iOS 19 — all the rumors so far
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Tuesday, March 11 (#639)
An image of a CAPTCHA
Hackers are using reCAPTCHA to trick users into infecting their own PCs with malware — how to stay safe
Gmail logo on iPhone
Gmail just got a huge AI upgrade that will save you a ton of time
Nina Oyama and Kate Box in Deadloch
One of my favorite shows on Prime Video has been totally overlooked — and it's got 100% on Rotten Tomatoes
Xbox handheld
Xbox handheld reportedly arriving this year, new PC-like console in 2027