How Completing Payload Race Mode Works in Overwatch 2

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Overwatch 2 isn’t afraid to change its usual style, and Stadium is where those changes happen. Payload Race is one of those new features, taking a familiar game mode and offering a fresh twist. The game can change quickly, so understanding how it works is key to doing well.

This mode rewards good awareness and timing. Even players new to the game will notice how different it feels from typical escort rounds. If you’re curious about how it plays or want tips to improve, here’s everything you need to know before jumping in.

What Is Payload Race?

Payload Race is a game mode found in Stadium. It looks quite similar to the standard Escort mode but with a big difference: instead of one payload, each team gets its own. This means both teams are trying to escort their individual payloads to the final point at the same time.

This is the only game mode in Overwatch 2 that has two moving objectives at once, and you can see the progress of both payloads on the top of your screen.

The goal is simple: push your team’s payload to the finish line while stopping the opposing team from doing the same. Whoever reaches the end first or gets their payload farther along when the timer runs out wins. Near the last checkpoint, the payload can no longer back up and moves more slowly to make up for it.

There are two maps made specifically for Payload Race. One is Powder Keg Mine, a part of Route 66, and the other is Thames District, a neighborhood in London next to King’s Row.

How Does Overtime Work in Payload Race?

Overtime in this mode works a bit differently. In Escort, both teams need to contest the same point to keep the game going. But in Payload Race, only the team that’s losing needs to contest one of the two payloads to keep playing.

Tips to Win Payload Race

While the mode might seem familiar at first, it requires a different strategy. Here are some helpful tips:

Balance Offense and Defense
Winning depends on managing both aspects at once. If your team only focuses on pushing your payload, the enemy can keep advancing theirs freely. It’s best to split responsibilities: tanks and supports should help move your payload, while damage heroes switch between pushing their own and slowing down the enemy’s.

Contest Smartly
Since overtime only requires the losing team to contest one payload, it’s important to keep track of which payload is closer to the goal. If your team is behind, prioritize stopping the enemy’s payload over pushing yours. Clowing their progress even for a few seconds can turn the tide and give your team a chance to catch up.

Play the Final Stretches Carefully
The last part of the map includes a no-regression zone where payloads only move forward, and at a slower speed. All progress made here is permanent, so teams should use ultimates wisely in this area. Saving crowd control abilities for this push can be game-changing. Defenders should come together and focus on stalling the payload to buy time.