September 27, 2023 Counter-Strike 2 launch update
The September 27, 2023 release update enabled Private Matchmaking in Counter-Strike 2. It is a separate private-match option alongside public matchmaking queues. The release note does not describe its party-size limits, access code flow, map settings or rating treatment, so those details should not be inferred from Premier or Community Servers.
Private Matchmaking is useful when players want to arrange a match through the game’s private matchmaking system rather than enter an ordinary public queue. The available controls and restrictions can change by build; check the current Play menu before planning a session. Private matchmaking remains distinct from an operator-hosted Community Server and from local Practice sessions. See Community Servers, Practice and Premier.
Limited Test availability
Private Matchmaking was listed as disabled in the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test on August 15, 2023, alongside Competitive matchmaking. This is a dated test-build availability note, not a permanent removal or a statement about the retail version. The Private Matchmaking entry describes the mode separately from that temporary test restriction.
Premier was added later in the Limited Test on August 31. Queue status can vary by CS2 release phase; see Premier and Counter-Strike 2.
Player-list separation by game (March 31, 2023)
The March 31, 2023 Limited Test update fixed the Private Matchmaking player list so it would not mix Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Counter-Strike 2 players who used the same private matchmaking pool code. This was a separation fix for the lister under a shared code; it does not describe a change to the pool-code format, lobby size or match settings.