OpenArena server hosting for fast arena fights
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
- Players
- Up to 64 (engine limit)
- PortChange 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.
How much does an OpenArena server need?
OpenArena is very light. Player count, bots and big custom maps are what add load.
Find your size
| 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.
-
Choose your game type
Deathmatch, CTF or elimination, stock maps or custom packs; then pick a size from the table above.
-
Pick a location
Choose the one closest to your players from our 20 game server locations.
-
Write your server.cfg
Set the game type, map list and rconPassword, and turn on downloads if you use custom maps.
-
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
Frequently asked questions
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.