# OpenArena server hosting for fast arena fights > Host an OpenArena server: Free For All, CTF, Elimination and Domination, rcon, map votes and fast map downloads for up to 64 players. Plan your arena today. OpenArena is a free, open-source arena shooter built on the ioquake3 engine. Run your own deathmatch, CTF or elimination server, rotate your maps and let players download custom content as they join. - OpenArena 0.8.8 dedicated server - Deathmatch, CTF, Elimination, Domination and more - rcon, voting and bots - Custom maps with HTTP downloads See plans Find your size Players Up to 64 (engine limit)\ Port Change it with net\_port; each server on a machine needs its own port. 27960 UDP\ Version 0.8.8 (ioquake3 engine)\ Game types FFA, Tournament, TDM, CTF, Elimination and more\ Config server.cfg with cvars\ Server list dpmaster with dedicated 2 Game types - Free For All - Tournament - Team Deathmatch - CTF - One Flag CTF - Overload - Harvester - Elimination - Last Man Standing - Domination Game facts from openarena.ws, the OpenArena source code and the ioquake3 server guide, checked in October 2026. - DDoS protection - 20 game server locations ## OpenArena plans are being prepared Tell us your game types, player count and map packs, and our team will reply with the options. Or open a ticket and we will let you know when the plans are online. [Contact sales](https://hyperdc.com/contact-us) [Open a ticket](https://hyperdc.com/support/new-ticket) ## How much does an OpenArena server need? OpenArena is very light. Player count, bots and big custom maps are what add load. | Feature | **Duel server** Up to 4 players | Recommended **Standard** Up to 16 players | **Large** Up to 32 players | **Maximum** Up to 64 players | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Memory (RAM)Memory for the engine, the map and the players. | 512 MB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 2 GB | | CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores. | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | | Disk spaceRoom for the game files, map packs and logs. | 5 GB | 5 GB | 10 GB | 10 GB | | Hunk memorycom\_hunkMegs reserves engine memory for maps and models; the default is 128. Raise it for big custom maps. | 128 (default) | 128 (default) | 128–256 | 256 | | Typical use | Duels and small matches | Public deathmatch or CTF | Busy CTF with custom maps | Large events | - ### Duel server Up to 4 players Memory (RAM)Memory for the engine, the map and the players. 512 MB\ CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores. 1\ Disk spaceRoom for the game files, map packs and logs. 5 GB\ Hunk memorycom\_hunkMegs reserves engine memory for maps and models; the default is 128. Raise it for big custom maps. 128 (default)\ Typical use Duels and small matches - Recommended ### Standard Up to 16 players Memory (RAM)Memory for the engine, the map and the players. 1 GB\ CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores. 1\ Disk spaceRoom for the game files, map packs and logs. 5 GB\ Hunk memorycom\_hunkMegs reserves engine memory for maps and models; the default is 128. Raise it for big custom maps. 128 (default)\ Typical use Public deathmatch or CTF - ### Large Up to 32 players Memory (RAM)Memory for the engine, the map and the players. 1 GB\ CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores. 2\ Disk spaceRoom for the game files, map packs and logs. 10 GB\ Hunk memorycom\_hunkMegs reserves engine memory for maps and models; the default is 128. Raise it for big custom maps. 128–256\ Typical use Busy CTF with custom maps - ### Maximum Up to 64 players Memory (RAM)Memory for the engine, the map and the players. 2 GB\ CPU coresThe game simulates the world mostly on one thread, so fast cores matter more than many cores. 2\ Disk spaceRoom for the game files, map packs and logs. 10 GB\ Hunk memorycom\_hunkMegs reserves engine memory for maps and models; the default is 128. Raise it for big custom maps. 256\ Typical use Large events OpenArena publishes no server hardware figures; these starting points are our estimate. 64 players is the engine’s absolute limit, not a recommendation. ## Game types, maps and admin tools Everything is set with cvars in your server config. ### Game types g\_gametype picks the mode: 0 Free For All, 1 Tournament, 3 Team Deathmatch, 4 CTF, plus One Flag CTF, Overload, Harvester, Elimination, Last Man Standing and Domination. ### Custom maps Add pk3 map packs to the server. sv\_allowDownload lets players download them, and sv\_dlURL points them at a faster web server. ### Pure server With sv\_pure 1, players may only use pk3 files that are also on the server. ### rcon Set rconPassword in your config and run server commands from the game console or other tools. ### Voting and bots g\_allowvote lets players vote on maps and modes, and bot\_minplayers fills empty slots with bots. ### Server list Start with dedicated 2 to list the server on the public master servers, or dedicated 1 for LAN and direct connections. ## Set up your OpenArena server Four steps to your first frag. 1. ### Choose your game type Deathmatch, CTF or elimination, stock maps or custom packs; then pick a size from the table above. 2. ### Pick a location Choose the one closest to your players from our 20 game server locations. 3. ### Write your server.cfg Set the game type, map list and rconPassword, and turn on downloads if you use custom maps. 4. ### Join the arena Players find the server in the in-game list or connect with the address and port 27960. ## Other game servers you might like [See every game](https://hyperdc.com/game-server-hosting) [See all shooter servers](https://hyperdc.com/game-servers/fps-game-servers) ### Quake 3 Arena Classic arena deathmatch on ioquake3 with your own game files. [Learn more](https://hyperdc.com/game-servers/quake-3-arena) ### Quake Live Duel, clan arena and CTF servers with Workshop maps. [Learn more](https://hyperdc.com/game-servers/quake-live) ### Unreal Tournament 99 Classic UT with the OldUnreal 469 patch and community masters. [Learn more](https://hyperdc.com/game-servers/unreal-tournament-99) ### Unreal Tournament 2004 Onslaught, CTF and Assault on community master servers. [Learn more](https://hyperdc.com/game-servers/unreal-tournament-2004) ### Counter-Strike 2 Competitive, wingman and community servers with Workshop maps. [Learn more](https://hyperdc.com/game-servers/counter-strike) ### Half-Life 2: Deathmatch Gravity Gun deathmatch with up to 100 slots and SourceMod. [Learn more](https://hyperdc.com/game-servers/half-life-2-deathmatch) ## Frequently asked questions Still have a question? Send us a message and our team will reply by email. [Contact us](https://hyperdc.com/contact-us) [Open a ticket](https://hyperdc.com/support/new-ticket) ### Which port does an OpenArena server use? UDP 27960 by default. Set net\_port to use another one; each server on the same machine needs its own port. ### How many players can join? The engine allows up to 64 players. Most arena servers run far fewer; set the limit that suits your maps. ### Which game types are there? Free For All, Tournament, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, One Flag CTF, Overload, Harvester, Elimination, CTF Elimination, Last Man Standing, Double Domination and Domination. Choose one with g\_gametype. ### How do I list my server publicly? Start it with dedicated 2: the server then registers with the public master servers. dedicated 1, the default, is for LAN and direct connections. ### Can I run custom maps? Yes. Put the pk3 files on the server, set sv\_allowDownload so players can download them, and point sv\_dlURL at a web server for faster HTTP downloads. ### How do I administer the server? Set rconPassword in your config with a strong password. You can then send commands such as map changes and kicks from the game console with rcon. ### Where do the settings go? In a config file that the server runs at startup with +exec, for example server.cfg. It holds the cvars for game type, limits, voting, downloads and rcon. ### Can I add bots? Yes. Turn on bot\_enable and set bot\_minplayers; the server fills the game with bots until that many players are present. ### Can players vote for maps? Yes, with g\_allowvote set to 1. Set it to 0 to turn voting off. ### Is OpenArena still maintained? OpenArena 0.8.8 is the current release and has been stable for years. The game is open source and stays free to download, so your players can always get the same version as the server. ## Ready to enter the arena? Tell us your game types and player count, and we will help you pick the right OpenArena server. See plans [Contact sales](https://hyperdc.com/contact-us) --- Source: \ Updated: 2026-10-09