Counter-Strike 2 Premier Mode Explained

Following multiple leaks about the Counter-Strike 2 Premier Mode, Valve made the official announcement on 1 September 2023, ushering in a new era of competitive Counter-Strike!

In this guide, we will explain what Premier Mode in CS2 is all about and how it works, so let's "go go go" and rush B.

CS2 Premier Mode Details

The Counter-Strike 2 Premier Mode is your top competitive mode, where players can earn CS Rating and climb the regional/global leaderboards. You can play it solo or with a group of friends.

The CS2 Premier Mode mimics competitive tournament play and, as a result, uses the current Active Duty Map Pool. The maps are:

• Inferno
• Nuke
• Mirage
• Overpass
• Anubis
• Ancient
• Vertigo

The biggest difference between standard Competitive and Premier Mode in CS2 is the addition of a pre-match Map Veto system, as you can see in the image below.

Valve explains what Premier Mode is all about, stating:

Competitive Counter-Strike is the ultimate test of skill in first-person shooters. For those who want to push themselves and sharpen their game, Premier is the competitive mode that features an Active Duty pick/ban system, and now, in Counter-Strike 2, the outcome of your Premier matches will drive a new, precise CS Rating.

You will climb the leaderboards as you gain more CS Rating via Premier Mode. It is, however, important to note that only Prime Status players who play Premier matches are eligible for display on public leaderboards.

The Premier Mode in Counter-Strike 2 will also feature the new match rule, MR12. Teams will swap sides after 12 rounds are played, and the match ends after 24 rounds of play. This is for regulation time, and there will still be overtime with the standard six additional rounds in case of a tie, which continue until one team wins.

In case you missed it, check out the latest Counter-Strike 2 video below, entitled "Going Global," featuring Premier Mode, CS Rating, Leaderboards, and the overhauled Inferno!

That's everything we know so far about Premier Mode in Counter-Strike 2. As more information becomes available, we will update this article faster than s1mple can flick and headshot an enemy with the big green, so stay tuned.