Overwatch 2 Season 20 Pre-Load Guide (PC and Console)

Overwatch 2 Season 20 Pre-Load Guide (PC and Console)

Foo Zen-Wen

7 Dec, 2025, 14:00

|

Last updated: 7 Dec, 2025, 14:12

Overwatch 2 Season 20 is nearly upon us, and the pre-load is now ready. Players across both PC and console will be able to get their hands on the much-anticipate patch. Season 20 is set to arrive on December 9th, bringing with it a new hero, competitive and stadium updates, a new Winter Wonderland event, and more.

In this guide, we will provide you with a brief on everything you need to know about pre-loading in Overwatch 2 as well as a guide on what you need to know to pre-load Season 20 into your system.

What Does Pre-Load Mean?

In Overwatch 2, Blizzard Entertainment has made available the option to download most of the game’s update patch data ahead of time. This means that when a new update/patch/season launches, players will be able to immediately play. This also allows players to circumnavigate the tension of waiting for long download times on release day.

Season 20 Brings Joyous Tidings

With a pre-load size of 5.4GB (both PC and console), players are eagerly awaiting the latest iteration of Overwatch 2. Getting all your downloading sorted now will allow for a seamless transition from the current season to the next. No worries of launch errors or queue times. Moreover, you’ll be able to get your hands on the newest hero, Vendetta as soon as Season 20 goes live.

Vendetta Overwatch 2
Vendetta is the newest entry to the Overwatch 2 hero roster with Season 20. Credit: Blizzard Entertainment

Key Notables to Expect with New Season:

  • New Hero Vendetta (First ever melee DPS hero).
  • Winter Wonderland Game Mode Returns (December 9th – January 7th).
  • Overwatch 2 x Avatar: The Last Airbender Collaboration returns.
  • Doomfist and Wuyang join Stadium roster.
  • Competitive Update: Players who lost ranked points thanks to cheaters will see their progress returned post-ban.

How to Pre-Load Overwatch 2 Season 20?

PC

Unfortunately, the pre-load content is exclusive through the Battle.net launcher. Steam users will have to wait to download the entire patch when it goes live officially on December 9th.

However, for those launching through Battle.net, the steps are simple:

  • Launch Battle.net client on computer and log in.
  • Head towards the Game Library and locate Overwatch 2.
  • Under the ‘Launch’ option, you’ll find a prompt for ‘Download pre-release content’.
  • Click to initiate the Pre-Load.

Console

We recommend the auto-download option for consoles for peace of mind. Simply enable it in the settings and let the network handle it for you, making for an even more seamless experience.

PlayStation

  • Go to the settings tab.
  • From here, navigate to Saved Date and Game Settings.
  • Choose Automatic Updates.
  • Ensure both ‘Auto-Download in Rest Mode’ and ‘Auto-Install in Rest Mode’ options are enabled.

Xbox

  • Head to the Xbox Game Store and select Overwatch 2.
  • Enable ‘Automatic Updates’.

 

Stay tuned to Strafe Esports for more updates on the latest season, Season 14, of Overwatch 2. You can also follow us on our X account for the latest content and coverage.

Featured Image Credit: Blizzard Entertainment


Read More:

Vendetta: All You Need To Know About Overwatch's 45th Hero

Earn Rewards in StarCraft II, Overwatch 2, and Hearthstone with WoW's Welcome Home Achievement

Latest news

Overwatch Season 4: All Battle Pass Rewards

Overwatch Season 4: All Battle Pass Rewards

The Overwatch Season 4 Battle Pass features a ton of new cosmetics, including hero skins, voice lines, emotes, and more. Read on to learn more about its free and premium rewards.
15h
Adarsh J. Kumar

Overwatch Season 4 Patch Notes: D.Mon Arrives, Hero Balance Changes, and More

Overwatch Season 4 is live, introducing a brand new hero and various hero balance changes, among other updates. Read on to learn more.
11 Aug
Adarsh J. Kumar

What's New in Overwatch Season 4: Battle Pass Revamp, New Rank, Map Reworks, and More

Overwatch Season 4 will introduce a brand new hero, core map reworks, Battle Pass revamp, new Mythic skins, and much more. Read on for a full breakdown.
11 Aug
Adarsh J. Kumar

Overwatch D.Mon: Abilities, Perks, and Playstyle Explained

Meet D.Mon, Overwatch's newest Tank hero and a formidable Stalwart from the MEKA Squad. Here's everything you need to know about her abilities, perks, and how to play her.
7 Aug
Adarsh J. Kumar

Overwatch Unveils New MEKA Squad Hero D.Mon with a Cinematic Trailer

Overwatch reveals new MEKA Squad hero D.Mon in cinematic trailer. The South Korean hero will join as a Tank. Read on for more details.
6 Aug
Adarsh J. Kumar

ZETA DIVISION Wins Overwatch Midseason Clash to Secure First Major OWCS Trophy

ZETA DIVISION has been crowned champions of the 2026 OWCS Midseason Championship after defeating Twisted Minds in a thrilling first‑to‑four Grand Final.
2 Aug
Adarsh J. Kumar

Overwatch Season 4 Brings Reworks to Three Core Maps

Overwatch is set to rework three core maps in Season 4: Paraiso, Eichenwalde, and Busan. Read on to learn more about the map changes.
2 Aug
Adarsh J. Kumar

Comments (0)

Log in to comment on this match