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Yes, you can still host a CS:GO server in 2026. Valve replaced Counter-Strike: Global Offensive with Counter-Strike 2 on 27 September 2023, and CS:GO no longer gets updates. Since March 2026, CS:GO is back on Steam as a separate free app (App ID 4465480). Players use it to join community servers such as a FREAKHOSTING CS:GO server, which runs the final build, version 1.38.8.1.

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What happened to CS:GO?

Counter-Strike 2 was released on 27 September 2023 and took CS:GO’s place on Steam under App ID 730. Valve shut down official CS:GO matchmaking at the same time. For a while, CS:GO was only available as a “legacy version” beta inside CS2 for players whose PCs couldn’t run CS2, and Valve ended support for that version on 1 January 2024. In March 2026, Valve listed CS:GO on Steam again as its own app, App ID 4465480. The store page is free to play but unlisted, so it doesn’t show up in Steam search. Players open it from the direct store link.

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What a FREAKHOSTING CS:GO server is

  • It runs the final CS:GO dedicated server build: Exe version 1.38.8.1, built on 24 August 2023.
  • It is a community server. Players join it from the CS:GO app, not from CS2.
  • It needs your own Steam game server token for App ID 4465480. See add a GSLT.
  • It has no game-specific pages in the Game Panel. You set it up on Startup and in csgo/cfg/server.cfg.

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Should you choose CS:GO or CS2?

For Counter-Strike 2, see our CS2 server guide.

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Frequently asked questions

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Can CS2 players join a CS:GO server?

No. CS2 and CS:GO are separate games. Players need the standalone CS:GO app to join a CS:GO server.

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Is CS:GO free in 2026?

Yes. The standalone CS:GO app on Steam is listed as free to play.

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Will Valve update CS:GO again?

Valve ended support for the CS:GO legacy version on 1 January 2024. Your server runs the final build from August 2023.

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Does CS:GO matchmaking still work?

No. Valve’s matchmaking servers for CS:GO are offline. Community servers are how people play CS:GO online now.

CS:GO server guide

Every CS:GO page in one place.

Getting started

Set up your CS:GO server.

Add a GSLT

Token for App ID 4465480.

Game modes

Classic CS:GO modes.

CS2 server guide

Host Counter-Strike 2 instead.
Checked against the official Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Steam store page on 3 November 2026. Server version details from our Game Panel test on the same day.

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Need Extra Help?

If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

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Last Updated: November 2026