I still remember the first time I loaded into a Stadium match in Overwatch 2. It was Season 16, and everything felt different — seven rounds, crazy Powers, and builds that turned heroes into monsters. I had no idea what I was doing, but I knew one thing: I kept seeing the same three faces on the enemy team. Juno, Soldier: 76, and Reinhardt. Everywhere. So when Blizzard's data analyst Ben Trautman finally confirmed what my eyes had been telling me during a Reddit AMA, I wasn't surprised. He revealed that Juno, Soldier 76, and Reinhardt had taken over the new mode by dominating pick rates in their respective roles.
But let me tell you, the details were fascinating. Soldier: 76 wasn't just popular — he was far out ahead of the rest. Trautman explained that the rest of the DPS cast were fairly close together, but Soldier had a clear lead. That matched my experience. In almost every Stadium match, I saw a Soldier sprinting around, popping Helix Rockets, and using Powers to become an unstoppable DPS machine. He was easy to pick up, and his build options made him a safe choice for almost any team composition.
Juno was the most-picked Support, and the rest of the support roster was within 15% of her pick rate — except for Lucio, who was last by a fair margin. Trautman was quick to add that Lucio was 'very good though!' I can confirm that. I had a few matches where a skilled Lucio ran circles around us, but the data didn't lie: most players preferred Juno. And honestly, I understood why. With the right combination of Powers, Juno could transform into an all-out DPS. She wasn't just healing; she was flying, shooting, and melting health bars. I once built her with enhanced torpedoes and movement speed, and I felt like I was playing a completely different hero. It was glorious.
Reinhardt, meanwhile, was a decent way ahead of the rest of the tanks, though the other tanks were very closely grouped in pick rate. As a tank player myself, I quickly learned why. His shield was virtually unbreakable with the right Powers, and he could fly into the air — yes, fly. I remember charging into battle, then launching myself upward to slam down on an unsuspecting Widowmaker. It was ridiculous and incredibly effective. Reinhardt became the go-to tank for players who wanted to protect their team while also being a massive threat.
| Role | Most-picked hero | Key reason |
|---|---|---|
| DPS | Soldier: 76 | Far ahead of the rest; versatile and powerful |
| Support | Juno | Can become a DPS with the right Powers |
| Tank | Reinhardt | Unbreakable shield and flying ability |
Looking back now in 2026, it's wild to think about how far Stadium has come. When Season 16 launched, the roster only had 17 characters. There were plenty of combinations to make any hero viable, but some instantly rose to the top. The good news was that more characters were coming. Freja arrived in the mid-Season 16 update, and older heroes were promised for future seasons. Balancing updates rolled out in the weeks ahead, and we did see new faces start to dominate the mode.
But the early meta was special. It was a time of experimentation, when players were still figuring out the best builds. I spent hours theorycrafting with friends, arguing about whether Juno's torpedoes or Soldier's biotic field was more important. We laughed when a Reinhardt flew over our heads and crushed us. We groaned when an enemy Lucio somehow kept his whole team alive despite being the least picked support. And we celebrated when our own Juno turned into a one-woman army.
In 2026, Stadium is a much more mature mode. There are more heroes, more Powers, and more ways to break the game. But I still see Juno, Soldier 76, and Reinhardt in my matches. They remain popular, even if the meta has shifted. Sometimes I queue up and smile when I see a Juno on my team. I know what she's capable of. I know the terror of a flying Reinhardt. And I know the reliable damage of a Soldier 76 who knows what he's doing.
If you're new to Stadium, don't be afraid to start with these three. They were the most-picked for a reason. But also, don't sleep on Lucio. Trautman said he was very good, and he wasn't lying. The mode rewards creativity, and even the least-picked heroes can shine with the right build. That's the beauty of Stadium. It's chaotic, it's competitive, and it's constantly changing. And I'll always remember the Season 16 days when three heroes ruled the arena. 🏟️