Overview
Five (5) starting players per team.
Format: Best of Five (Bo5)
For more details, review the Overwatch 2 Rulebook
Join the lobby within the 30-minute grace period.
Communicate via Match Lobby Chat.
Home Teams will create private matches and send invitations.
Spectators are approved using Match Lobby Chat per Section 7.7.2 of the Youth Program Competition Rulebook.
In the event of any issues, finish the current game, then notify PlayVS Support for further assistance.
IT Steps: Day of Match (at least 1 hour before)
Restart each console/computer
Launch Overwatch 2 to check for system or game updates
Have your IT department on standby if any technical issues arise
PlayVS Tip: Give your season schedule to the IT department so they know when you are competing!
Setting Up the Match
Log into their PlayVS account.
Locate your matchup, and click “Open Match”.
If you see “Opponent TBD” your team will need to Join the Match Queue
Once paired up, continue to Step 3.
PlayVS Tip: Say hi to your opponent in PlayVS Lobby Chat!
Click Ready Up.
Click Start.
Confirm the correct starters are listed with accounts connected, and click “Confirm Roster”.
View your Opponent’s Roster, and click “Confirm”.
Have each Team Captain identify themselves in Match Lobby Chat.
Each team’s captain should have their entire team on their friends list.
Each team’s captain must add the opposing teams captain to their friends list.
Once you reach Prepare for Game 1:
Home Team move to Create the Custom Lobby.
Away Team move to Join the Custom Lobby.
Create the Custom Lobby (Home Team)
Open Overwatch 2.
Click “Play”.
Select “Custom Games”.
Select “Create”.
Change the title to “PlayVS HOMENAME vs AWAYNAME”.
Change from “Friends Only” to “Invite Only”.
Rename Team 1 to Home Team.
Rename Team 2 to Away Team.
Click “Settings”.
Click “Presets” and select “Competitive”.
Open “Maps” and turn off all maps other than your team’s map for Game 1.
Click “Invite” to send invites to all players.
Join the Custom Lobby (Home Team)
Open Overwatch 2.
The Team Captain accepts the invitation once sent.
The Captain will invite the remainder of their teammates.
Match Protocol (All Players)
With both teams ready, the match can begin!
For a full breakdown of Game Mode Order & Map/Side Selection, see Sections 1.6 and 1.7 of the Overwatch 2 Rulebook
If a pause is needed after the game begins, teams must follow the steps in Section 1.4 Stoppage of Play in the Rulebook
If a player or team disconnection occurs, refer to section 3.3.2 Game Disconnection in the Rulebook.
Once the game is complete, both teams will report the result using the Match Assistant.
The team that lost will select the next map.
The team that won chooses the side.
Repeat the previous protocol steps until the match is complete.
Substitution Protocol
Note: Players cannot be swapped out during a live game. If a substitution is needed after a game has started, finish out the current game, then follow the steps below.
A member from each team must click Change Roster.
Confirm that you need to reset the game.
Once reset, teams can make roster changes and continue from Setting up a Match Step 4.
Skip Assistant Protocol
Note: This feature will skip the Overwatch 2 match assistant. Player capabilities will be limited, and results must be reported manually.
Click “Game Settings”
Click “Skip Assistant”
Confirm that you want to Skip the Match Assistant
Continue the match.
Post-Match Process
After both teams agree to the final game's result using the PlayVS Match Assistant, the match will complete and results will be recorded.
Take in-game screenshots at the end of each game for your records.
If the Match Assistant is skipped, adult sponsors are responsible for verifying that results have been reported manually
Matches without results will be quarantined, and risk a match loss for both teams by default.
If results are not accurate, then contact PlayVS Support for further assistance.
Helpful Guides for Game Day
Important: By default, rulebooks overrule game day protocols. Please reach out to support if you find conflicting information.
Changelog
V 2.0 - 9/24/21 // All teams responsible for match result input
V 2.1 - 10/1/21 // All games must be played in a match
V 2.2 -0 10/12/21 // Matches will consist of a set-of-five game series with
V 2.3 - 01/11/22 // Added Overview, Post-Game Process sections, reformatted match day process and join instructions.
V3.0 - 2/4/22 // Youth additions & forfeit window - AK
V3.1 - 2/16/22 // Clarified game renaming format - RG
V3.2 - 2/18/22 // Overview corrected to Best of 5 - JM
V4.0 - 10/5/22 // Overwatch 2 updates -AK & MB
V 4.1 - 10/13/22 // Clarified Map Selection Rules and Updated OW Rulebook link - LT
V 4.2 - 1/13/23 // Removed Spectating callout from the Overview to reflect the correct ruling in 7.7 of the Youth Program Competition Rulebook
V 4.3 - 2/1/23 // Added Lobby -AK
V4.4 - 2/7/23 // - Updated for Spring 23 Map Pool -AK
V5.0 - 9/7/23 // Updated for 23-24 School Year – LT