Overwatch Season 3: Two events live through August

Blizzard updated Overwatch on June 16, 2026 to begin Season 3 and opened two concurrent events. Anima Strike runs from June 16 to July 6. Excavation Initiative began June 16 and will continue through the season end in August 2026.

Anima Strike is a three-week event centered on the new map Neon Junction. Players progress through daily and weekly challenges to unlock areas on the map, including Hashimoto, Yokai and the Subway, while following a short story thread about unrest beneath the neon surface. The event uses branching reward paths that together deliver more than 50 themed items. Players who complete the main event gain access to a prestige path with additional rewards.

Excavation Initiative runs for the full Season 3 period and focuses on loot box rewards tied to regular play. Over the event players can earn boxes by logging in, completing assigned challenges and winning matches. The event offers 17 standard loot boxes plus one Epic and one Legendary loot box to obtain before the season ends in August.

Both events fit Blizzard’s seasonal challenge structure, which distributes cosmetic items and experience that contributes to Battle Pass progression. Completing event challenges is a primary method to collect in-game rewards and Battle Pass XP. Many event tasks require playing specific heroes or completing a set number of matches to unlock tiers of items.

Earlier in 2026 Blizzard ran several limited-time events. The 10th Anniversary event ran from May 12 to June 16 and was extended into Season 3; the number of challenges required to unlock a special player title was reduced from 48 to 38, and players who had completed all 48 challenges were granted an additional title. Hatred’s Reckoning ran April 28 to May 19 and offered Diablo-themed skins. Operation: Grand Mesa ran April 28 to May 5, introduced the hero Sierra and included an event pass with tiered rewards up to a Legendary loot box. Other events in the first half of 2026 included Underwatch (April 1–13), Project Yorha (March 10–23), Conquest (Feb 10–March 17), Hello Kitty and Friends (Feb 10–23) and Showdown Shuffle (Jan 13–27).

Anima Strike closes on July 6. Excavation Initiative remains available until Season 3 ends in August 2026. Rewards for both events are unlocked by meeting specific in-game requirements during each event window.