How to Host a Trackmania Server (2020 Dedicated Server Guide)

To host a Trackmania dedicated server, create a dedicated server login on trackmania.com, download the Trackmania server package from Nadeo, put that login and password into UserData/Config/dedicated_cfg.txt, write a match settings file with your mode and maps, and start TrackmaniaServer with /dedicated_cfg and /game_settings. Open port 2350 for players. Then link the server to your club: add a Room activity, choose Use Dedicated Server and pick your server login.

What a dedicated server gives a club

Trackmania clubs can make rooms that run on Nadeo's servers, so why run your own? Because a dedicated server gives you things Nadeo's rooms do not:

• Your own match settings, from time limits and points to rounds per map.
• Any track list, from your club's map packs or Trackmania Exchange.
• Separate player and spectator passwords, so a final can be open to watchers only.
• A server controller such as PyPlanet or EvoSC on the XML-RPC port, for records, votes and chat commands.
• Always on, so club members can train any time between events.

Leagues, school esports teams and clubs with weekly cups are the usual owners.

One limitation to know up front: dedicated server rooms can only be joined from the PC version. Console players need rooms hosted by Nadeo with selected tracks.

Step 1: Create a server login

The server signs in to Nadeo with its own account, not yours.

1. Go to trackmania.com/player/dedicated-servers and sign in with your Ubisoft account.
2. Create a new dedicated server account with a login name.
3. Copy the login and the generated password somewhere safe straight away.

Never use your own Ubisoft password here. The server login is a separate credential, and if it leaks, you delete it and make a new one.

Step 2: Download the server

Nadeo publishes the server as a zip from its file server (TrackmaniaServer_Latest.zip on files.v04.maniaplanet.com). It contains both the Windows and Linux binaries. Unzip it to a folder.

You get TrackmaniaServer (Linux) and TrackmaniaServer.exe (Windows), and a UserData folder holding configs and maps.

Step 3: Write dedicated_cfg.txt

Copy UserData/Config/dedicated_cfg.default.txt to dedicated_cfg.txt in the same folder and edit it. It is XML. The parts you need:

<masterserver_account>
  <login>yourserverlogin</login>
  <password><![CDATA[generated-password]]></password>
</masterserver_account>

<server_options>
  <name>Club Night Cup</name>
  <comment>Weekly cup, all welcome</comment>
  <max_players>32</max_players>
  <password>racers-only</password>
  <max_spectators>32</max_spectators>
  <password_spectator></password_spectator>
</server_options>

<system_config>
  <server_port>2350</server_port>
  <xmlrpc_port>5000</xmlrpc_port>
</system_config>

Wrap the password in CDATA as shown so special characters do not break the XML. Also change the default SuperAdmin password in the authorization_levels section if you plan to use a controller.

Step 4: Write match settings

The match settings file decides the mode and which tracks run. Copy UserData/Maps/MatchSettings/example.txt and edit it. A short Time Attack example:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<playlist>
  <gameinfos>
    <game_mode>0</game_mode>
    <script_name>Trackmania/TM_TimeAttack_Online.Script.txt</script_name>
  </gameinfos>
  <mode_script_settings>
    <setting name="S_TimeLimit" type="integer" value="300"/>
  </mode_script_settings>
  <startindex>0</startindex>
  <map><file>MyClub/training-01.Map.Gbx</file></map>
  <map><file>MyClub/training-02.Map.Gbx</file></map>
</playlist>

Map paths are relative to UserData/Maps. Our guide on Trackmania match settings and custom maps covers modes, settings and track packs in detail.

Step 5: Start the server

./TrackmaniaServer /nodaemon /dedicated_cfg=dedicated_cfg.txt /game_settings=MatchSettings/club.txt

On Windows, run TrackmaniaServer.exe with the same arguments. Watch the output: a successful login to the master server is the sign everything is right. A login error means the login or password in dedicated_cfg.txt is wrong.

Step 6: Open the ports

Forward 2350 on your router and allow it through the firewall. Do not forward the XML-RPC port to the internet. Controllers should reach it from the same machine or a private network. See our port forwarding guide for the router part.

Step 7: Link it to a club room

1. In Trackmania, open Clubs and select your club, or create one.
2. In the club's administration, add an activity with the + button and choose Room.
3. Choose Use Dedicated Server, name the room and pick your server login.
4. Save. Members open the club and join the room.

Club features such as creating rooms are tied to Trackmania's paid access tiers, so check that the person setting up the room has the access needed. If the room does not show your server, see Trackmania club room cannot find the server.

How big a server do you need?

Ghost cars mean the server does not simulate collisions, so Trackmania servers are light.

Hosted, without the setup

A GamezServers Trackmania server downloads the server package for you and gives it its own address. You paste the dedicated server login and password into the control panel, set the server name, player and spectator passwords and the match settings file, and the panel writes them into the config on every start. Maps and match settings are in the file manager and over SFTP, and a club can split the bill between up to 10 members.

FAQ

Do I need a special account to run a Trackmania server?

Yes. Create a dedicated server login at trackmania.com under your account's dedicated servers page. It is separate from your Ubisoft login.

What port does a Trackmania dedicated server use?

2350 TCP and UDP for players by default. XML-RPC uses 5000 TCP and should stay private.

Can console players join a Trackmania dedicated server?

No. Dedicated server rooms are PC only.

How do players join my Trackmania server?

Through a club room linked to the server. Members open the club and join the room.

How many players can a Trackmania server hold?

32 racers and 32 spectators is a common setup, set by max_players and max_spectators.