In the original Overwatch, each team had six players in standard matches.
That six-versus-six format was central to the game's identity when it launched in 2016. Two teams fought over objectives such as control points and payload routes, with each player choosing a distinct hero whose abilities complemented the rest of the squad. Players could also change heroes during a match to respond to the opposing team's strategy.
The six-player structure is often remembered through the game's classic role compositions. Before role restrictions became standard, teams could experiment with combinations of Damage, Tank, and Support heroes. Later, role queue commonly organized teams as two Damage, two Tanks, and two Supports.
A major source of confusion is the difference between the original game and its sequel. Overwatch 2 replaced the original six-versus-six setup with five-versus-five play, removing one Tank slot per team. Thus, “six” is correct specifically for the original Overwatch's standard team format, not for the sequel's current structure.