The Premier Mode in Counter-Strike 2 allows fans to get as close as possible to the esports component of Valve's shooter. That’s why it is the main game mode at the moment. In this article, we will explain the steps you need to take to unlock CS2 Premier.

What is Premier Mode in CS2

Premier is the main competitive mode in CS2. After successfully finding a match, players enter the veto phase, where they take turns banning maps from the active pool. By the end of the banning and selection stage, only one map remains, and the match is played on it. The team that banned maps second gets the right to choose which side to play on. Winning a match earns you ELO points, which directly affect your position on the leaderboard. Conversely, losing deducts points.

To get your first CS rating, you need to go through calibration. This procedure helps the game determine your skill level. To successfully complete calibration, you need to win ten matches in Premier mode. After this procedure, a player is assigned an ELO rating.

How to Unlock Premier Mode CS2

By making Premier the main mode in CS2, the developers aimed to provide players with a richer and more balanced gaming experience. It can be said that they succeeded. However, access to this competitive mode still needs to be unlocked. First, you need to download CS2 on Steam and purchase Prime status, which will cost you $14.99. In addition to access to Premier mode, having Prime status will allow you to receive CS2 skins and CS2 cases weekly and for free.

Next, you need to reach level 10 on your CS2 account. To do this, play matches in other modes and earn experience points. You will gain more experience for victories and less for losses. On average, it takes a few days of active play to reach level 10 in CS2. The most experience can be gained in Competitive mode, Deathmatch, or Arms Race. After reaching the coveted level 10 and acquiring Prime status, Premier mode will automatically be unlocked for you. Now you can enjoy matches that closely resemble professional ones and earn your ELO rating.

Why Premier Mode Might Not Work in CS2

Despite reaching level 10 in CS2 and purchasing Prime status, you may still encounter issues accessing Premier mode. First, you might face a conflict with launch parameters after transitioning from CS:GO to CS2. To resolve this issue, go to CS2 properties in your Steam library, then in the "General" tab, delete all text in the "Launch Options" field and restart the game.

Another problem could be issues with Valve's servers. Premier mode matches are held on special Valve servers, and if they experience an outage, it may prevent the game from verifying your Prime status. In this case, there’s nothing you can do but wait for the server issues to be resolved.

Lastly, if Premier mode is still not unlocked, make sure you’ve purchased Prime status and reached level 10 in CS2. Open Steam and ensure your payment for Prime status went through and that it’s purchased. Finally, double-check that you have indeed reached level 10 in CS2. Play one or two matches in other modes to be sure you’ve reached level 10.

How Matchmaking in CS2 Differs from CS:GO

The main difference between Premier mode in CS2 and CS:GO is the MR12 match system. In this system, players are allowed to play 12 rounds per side, whereas in CS:GO, the system was MR15, and they played 15 rounds per side.

Another important change is the addition of overtime. At a score of 12:12 in CS2, the match will go into overtime, where players will play three rounds per side to determine the winner. In CS:GO, there was no overtime. At a score of 15:15, matches simply ended in a draw.

Finally, in the main competitive mode of CS2, matches can only be played on maps from the active pool, whereas in CS:GO, additional maps were available. The active map pool in CS2 includes: Mirage, Ancient, Nuke, Anubis, Inferno, Dust2, and Vertigo.

In CS2, you have the freedom to choose which matchmaking mode to play or even combine them. However, it’s worth noting that Premier mode closely resembles professional matches, which attracts thousands of players worldwide.