Sometimes you don't want to queue. You want a specific map, with specific people, on your terms. Custom Games are the simplest way to play CS:GO with friends. You create your own private match, invite who you want, and play a real 5v5 that never touches your rank, without renting a server or editing a config file. If you're coming back to the game, here's how to still play CS:GO in 2026.
Host a match and invite who you want
Open Custom Games and create a lobby. You get a room with a share link and a six-character code you can hand to anyone. Invites arrive as a banner at the top of the site with a sound, the same way party invites do, so people actually notice them. Anyone already in the lobby can invite their own friends too. And if you'd rather skip invites entirely, flip the lobby open to everyone and it shows up in the public browser for people to join.
Pick the map, set the teams
You choose the map and which side each team starts on, T or CT. For the teams themselves you have two options. Lock them yourself by placing players into Team A and Team B, or turn on no team lock and let everyone pick their side in-game once the match loads. Either way, only people from your lobby can connect to the server, so nobody random wanders in.
Chat while you set up
Every lobby has its own chat, so you can sort teams, agree on the map and call people in without dragging everyone into a separate voice channel first. When everyone's ready, you hit Start and the match begins.
Unrated, and out of the way of ranked
Custom games don't count for anything competitive. No ELO, no LP, no missions, no cooldowns. Lose 16-0 to your mates and your rank won't even notice. They also stay out of the way of normal play: being in a custom game doesn't stop you joining the ranked matchmaking queue, and queuing doesn't stop you joining a custom game. The two run side by side.
Run it back as many times as you like
When a match finishes, your lobby doesn't disappear. It drops back to its pre-game state with your teams intact, so you can change the map, shuffle people around and play again. As the host you can also end a match early whenever you want and land straight back in the lobby, ready for the next one.
What you need to host
Hosting is a Pro feature. With Pro you can run one custom lobby at a time, and everyone you invite plays for free, Pro or not. Members aren't limited to a single lobby either, so you can sit in a few at once while you work out where the night is going.
Jump in
Custom Games are live now. Open Custom Games, create a lobby, and send the link to your friends. If you want to host and don't have Pro yet, you can pick it up on the Premium page, and everyone you bring along still plays for nothing. If a friend hasn't set the game up yet, our guide on how to play CS:GO walks them through installing it and getting in.
Frequently asked questions
What is a custom game on CSGOPremier?
It is a private match you host yourself. You make a lobby, invite the players you want, choose the map and teams, and start a real 5v5. It plays exactly like a normal match, except you decide who is in it and nothing about it counts toward your rank.
How do I host a private CS:GO match with my friends?
Open the Custom Games page and create a lobby. Invite your friends with the share link or six-character code, or open the lobby to everyone. Pick the map and which side each team starts on, set the teams, and hit Start. You don't need to rent a server, edit a config file or type any console commands.
Can I play a private CS:GO match without renting or configuring a server?
Yes, that is the whole idea. Custom Games handle the server for you, so there is nothing to rent, install or configure. You make a lobby on the website, invite people, and start the match.
Can I open my match to everyone instead of only inviting friends?
Both work. Keep it invite-only and share the link or code with the people you want, or flip it open to everyone and the lobby shows up in the public browser for anyone to join.
Do custom games affect my rank or LP?
No. Custom games are unrated. There is no ELO change, no LP, no mission progress and no cooldowns. You can play as many as you like and your competitive stats stay exactly where they were.
Do I need Pro to play a custom game?
Only to host one. Hosting is a Pro feature, and a Pro account can run one custom lobby at a time. Everyone you invite plays for free, whether they have Pro or not. Joining, chatting and inviting friends cost nothing.
Can I pick the map and choose the teams?
Yes. The host picks the map and which side each team starts on. For the teams you can either set them yourself by placing players into Team A and Team B, or turn on no team lock and let everyone choose their side in-game once the match loads. Either way only people from your lobby can connect.
Will a custom game block my matchmaking queue?
No. Custom games run completely separately from ranked. Being in one does not stop you from joining the matchmaking queue, and queuing does not stop you from joining a custom game.