---
title: "How to Play CS2 Workshop Maps With Friends | Hummeljail"
description: "Play CS2 workshop maps with friends: turn on Open Party, start the map, friends join from the friends list. No server or LAN tool. Plus host_workshop_map."
url: https://hummeljail.de/en/play-workshop-maps-with-friends/
lang: en
---

# Play CS2 workshop maps with friends

Since the [CS2 update of 18 March 2026](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/730/view/1827626365751571) you can host a workshop map on your own PC. Your friends join you from the friends list. You don't need a server or a LAN tool.

## How to play a workshop map with friends

- Subscribe to the map in the Steam Workshop.
- Start CS2 and open **Play**, then **Workshop Maps**.
- Turn on **Open Party**.
- Pick the map and start it. The game now runs on your PC.
- Your friends open the friends list in CS2 and join your game.

## Do you still need Radmin or a LAN tool?

No. A virtual LAN with Radmin VPN or Hamachi was the workaround before March 2026. With Open Party your friends join through Steam.

## Workshop map with friends not working

- **Friends can't join:** Open Party is off. Turn it on before you start the map.
- **Error when joining:** you are on different CS2 versions. Restart Steam so both of you get the latest update.
- **Settings of the map don't apply:** community maps may only run a limited list of console commands. A dedicated server can turn the filter off with the launch option `-disable_workshop_command_filtering`.

## Workshop maps on a dedicated server: host_workshop_map

On your own CS2 server you load a workshop map by its ID:

`host_workshop_map 3167607235`

The ID is the number at the end of the Workshop address, after `?id=`. The command runs in the server console or over RCON. For a server that should start straight on a workshop map, put it in the launch options as `+host_workshop_map <ID>`.

Workshop IDs and server commands for jailbreak maps: [list of CS2 jailbreak maps](https://hummeljail.de/en/jailbreak-maps/#list).

## Questions about workshop maps with friends

### Can you play workshop maps with friends in CS2?

Yes. Since the update of 18 March 2026, turn on Open Party in the Workshop Maps tab of the Play menu and start the map. Your friends join you from the friends list.

### Do I need Radmin VPN or Hamachi to play workshop maps with friends?

No. A virtual LAN was the workaround before March 2026. With Open Party your friends join you through Steam.

### What does host_workshop_map do?

host_workshop_map loads a workshop map by its Workshop ID on a CS2 server, for example host_workshop_map 3167607235. It runs in the server console, over RCON or as a launch option with a plus sign in front.

### Where do I find the Workshop ID of a map?

The Workshop ID is the number at the end of the map's Steam Workshop address, after ?id=.

## Read on

- **[Join a CS2 community server](https://hummeljail.de/en/join-cs2-community-server/):** Server browser, connect command, password.
- **[CS2 jailbreak maps](https://hummeljail.de/en/jailbreak-maps/):** Workshop IDs, minigames and secrets.