How to Set Up a CS2 1v1 Arena Server (K4-Arenas, 2026)

To set up a CS2 1v1 arena server, install Metamod:Source and CounterStrikeSharp, upload the K4-Arenas plugin into game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/, and load a multi 1v1 arena map from the Workshop with host_workshop_map (for example am_blackline, 3172439876). The plugin finds the arenas from the map's spawn points, pairs players by ladder rank and runs its own cvars from gameconfig.cfg. Add bot_quota 0 to that file, or a bot takes an arena.

What you need

Arena servers are light: 4 GB runs 10 players, and 8 GB suits a full 32 player arena.

Step 1: Install Metamod and CounterStrikeSharp

Stop the server first. Then:

1. Download the latest Metamod:Source 2.x Linux build from sourcemm.net and upload its addons folder into game/csgo/.
2. Open game/csgo/gameinfo.gi, find Game_LowViolence csgo_lv and add Game csgo/addons/metamod on the line under it.
3. Download the with runtime build of CounterStrikeSharp and upload its addons folder into game/csgo/, merging it with the Metamod one.
4. Start the server and type meta list in the console. CounterStrikeSharp should be listed.

The full walkthrough is in how to install CounterStrikeSharp plugins on a CS2 server.

Step 2: Install K4-Arenas

1. Download the latest release zip of K4-Arenas. The original repository by K4ryuu (KitsuneLab-Development/K4-Arenas) was archived on 31 July 2026 and gets no more updates, so check its last release still loads on your CounterStrikeSharp version. A community fork keeps it updated for newer CounterStrikeSharp builds if it does not.
2. Unzip it and upload the contents into game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/, keeping the folder structure from the zip.
3. Restart. On first start the plugin writes two files:

Leave the database section on its defaults if you do not want one. The plugin then runs without a database, and players simply pick their weapons again after a reconnect. Fill in MySQL details only if you want preferences saved.

Step 3: Load an arena map

Normal competitive maps have one set of T spawns and one set of CT spawns, so they make poor arenas. Multi 1v1 maps from the Workshop are built as rows of small identical rooms, each with its own spawn pair, and the plugin detects every room as an arena automatically. Popular ones (verified on the Workshop for CS2):

Load one from the console:

host_workshop_map 3172439876

The server downloads the map and players get it when they join. For a rotation, add several arena maps to a Steam Workshop collection and load it with host_workshop_collection, as covered in how to play CS2 Workshop maps on a server.

Step 4: Turn the bots off

This is the step most arena servers get wrong. K4-Arenas sets bot_quota_mode "normal" in its gameconfig.cfg, but it does not set bot_quota. Valve's competitive mode config sets bot_quota 1, and casual sets bot_quota 10. In normal quota mode that number is a fixed count, so a bot (or ten) stays on the server permanently and gets paired into arenas like a player.

Open addons/counterstrikesharp/plugins/K4-Arenas/gameconfig.cfg and add:

bot_quota 0
bot_kick

Restart the map with changelevel or a restart. If you want a bot to fill the empty arena when an odd number of people are on, K4-Arenas has a separate bots addon in the same release for exactly that, which manages its own bot instead of a fixed quota.

Step 5: Tune gameconfig.cfg and the rounds

The file starts with this warning, and it means it: the first block (mp_autoteambalance 0, empty default weapons, mp_halftime 0, mp_join_grace_time 0, mp_respawn_immunitytime 0) is what makes arenas work. Change the last block to taste:

Round types live in K4-Arenas.json under round-settings. By default rifle, sniper, shotgun, pistol, scout, AWP, deagle, SMG, LMG and knife rounds are on, and 2v2 and 3v3 are off. Set "EnabledByDefault": true on the team rounds if your map supports them. Players pick their own preferences in game with !guns and !rounds, join the queue with !queue, go AFK with !afk, and duel a friend with !challenge <name> (accepted with !caccept).

Our servers start in competitive mode (game type 0, mode 1), which works fine for arenas, so there is nothing to switch in the panel.

Common problems

• Players spawn in strange places on a normal map: you are on a stock map like de_dust2. The plugin pairs whatever spawns it finds, which makes one or two huge arenas. Load an am_ map.
• There is always a bot in the arenas: bot_quota is still 1 from the competitive config. Add bot_quota 0 to the plugin's gameconfig.cfg.
• Back on de_dust2 after a restart: a single host_workshop_map is not remembered, so the server boots the start map. Run the Workshop map again, or use a collection.
• Server changes to a normal map after 15 minutes: the plugin's mp_timelimit 15 ended the match. Use a collection of arena maps or set mp_timelimit 0.
• Plugin stopped loading after a CS2 update: a patch replaced gameinfo.gi. Add the Metamod line back and update Metamod and CounterStrikeSharp, see CS2 Metamod not loading after an update.

Running it on GamezServers

On a CS2 server from GamezServers you upload Metamod, CounterStrikeSharp and K4-Arenas through the file manager (it extracts zips on the server) or SFTP, edit gameconfig.cfg in the browser, and load arena maps with the Workshop map button. The Steam token is made for you, and a one click Backup before plugin updates means a bad version is easy to roll back. For a different mode on the same plugins, see how to set up a CS2 retakes server.

FAQ

What is the best plugin for a CS2 1v1 arena server?

K4-Arenas on CounterStrikeSharp is the most widely used multi 1v1 plugin for CS2. It handles the ladder, queue, weapon preferences and challenges, and works on any arena map with spawn pairs.

Does K4-Arenas need a database?

No. Without one the plugin works normally but forgets weapon and round preferences between sessions. Add MySQL details to its config to keep them.

How many players can a CS2 arena server hold?

As many as the map has arenas times two, up to your slot count. Most am_ maps have 16 arenas for 32 players, which matches our 32 slot plan.

Why is there a bot on my arena server?

The competitive mode config sets bot_quota 1 and K4-Arenas switches bots to normal quota mode, so one bot stays forever. Put bot_quota 0 in the plugin's gameconfig.cfg.