Counter Strike 2 is Valve’s newest installment in the CS series, but if you’re a returning player, it shouldn’t feel that different from CS:GO. Familiar fan-favorite maps, console commands, and matchmaking modes have all made a return. Plus, it’s the best time to introduce your friends to the game, as Counter Strike has never looked better. But when it comes to playing with friends, you might be wondering if you can make your lobby private. In this guide, we’ll go over how to set up private lobbies in Counter Strike 2.
How to Set Up Private Lobbies in Counter Strike 2
Private lobbies in CS2 are great for hanging out with friends and warming up together in a Practice match. With the game’s Private Matchmaking system, you can set up a match easily. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Select Play at the top of the game screen
- Choose either the Matchmaking or Practice tab
- Team up with your Steam friends
- Click Private Matchmaking (this might be greyed out if you haven’t completed matches in Casual or Deathmatch modes)
- Press the Go button at the bottom of the screen
Do note there’s an Open Party option in the sidebar to the left. It’s not required to create private lobbies in Counter Strike 2, but it does determine how easy it is for your friends to join. If you enable the option, any friend can join your party easily from the main menu. However, if you toggle it off, your friends will need to wait for a direct invite to join your party.
That covers how to set up private lobbies in Counter Strike 2. If you’re interested in all-things Counter Strike, be sure to check out our growing guides hub for more.
