Wondering why you can’t access Competitive or Premier in CS2? You’re not alone. Counter-Strike 2 has introduced new requirements for ranked matchmaking. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to unlock Competitive and Premier modes — and how to rank up faster once you do.
- How to unlock Competitive mode in CS2
- Whether you need Prime status
- How to unlock Premier and CS Rating
- Tips to improve and rank up faster
Contents
CS2 Comptetitive vs Premier Comparing Table
| Feature | Competitive Mode | Premier Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Requires Prime? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Ranks per Map? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| CS Rating System? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Map Pick/Ban Phase? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Skill Level | Medium | High (Esports-level) |
How to Unlock Competitive Games in Counter-Strike 2
How Competitive Mode Works in CS2
Competitive is CS2’s classic 5v5 ranked mode, where players earn ranks based on performance on individual maps.
How to Unlock Competitive:
- Play unranked modes like Casual, Deathmatch, or Bomb/Hostage
- Reach Account Level 2
- Prime status is not required
Ranking System:
- Ranks are now map-specific
- You must play 10 matches on a single map to receive a rank for it
- This prevents players from boosting ranks by spamming one map
Valve made each map have its own rank to increase competitive integrity — and yes, it might just cost you a keyboard or two along the way.
How to Unlock Premier in CS2
Premier is CS2 advanced ranked mode designed for serious players. It requires Prime status and adds a CS Rating system that ranges from 0 to 30,000+. Unlike standard Competitive, Premier includes a map pick/ban phase before matches, creating a more strategic and esports-like experience.
The critical difference between the classic Competitive and Premier modes is the player recruitment process. Premier takes things up a notch by having a pre-game ritual of selecting and locking cards before the battle begins. Premier typically offers a higher skill ceiling and more intense gameplay.
