Faceit in CS2 – how to play, does it still make sense, and what opportunities does it offer?
Discover how to play Faceit CS2, whether it’s still worth it in 2025, and what makes it better than Premier mode. Rewards, leagues and FPL explained.
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Do you want to play more seriously than in CS2 matchmaking? Or maybe you're looking for a path to the professional scene? Faceit is still the most popular platform for ambitious Counter-Strike players. In this article, we'll show you how to play on Faceit in CS2, what the differences are between it and Premier mode, and whether Faceit still makes sense in 2025.
What is Faceit and why is it worth playing?
An alternative to matchmaking
Faceit is an independent tournament platform for CS2 where both amateur and professional players compete. Its main advantages are a better matchmaking system, an anti-cheat, and detailed statistics.
Community and the pro scene
Many professionals started their careers on Faceit, and tournaments like the Faceit Pro League (FPL) are a gateway to the professional scene. The platform offers the opportunity to play with other ambitious players in leagues and Hubs with prizes.
What you get from playing Faceit – 5 key benefits
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Faster skill development – thanks to competing against better opponents, you can encounter players who are better than you, so you control your progress.
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Better competition structure – Hubs, leagues, FPL, in a word, ‘engagement’, which is not always the case with Valve's game modes.
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Prizes and motivation – not just in meta-language, but real profits. The website features tournaments for which you earn Faceit Points (you can exchange points in the store and get real items, game skins, etc.).
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Community – you will find coaches, sparring partners and friendly teams there, and at the same time you can play with your best friends!
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Feedback and analysis – thanks to statistics in the panels and coaching options. Faceit is constantly expanding access to statistics, so you will be able to check statistics such as the number of entry frags in a match on your profile.
How to start playing on Faceit in CS2?
Account registration and setup
To start playing on Faceit, you need to create an account and link it to your Steam profile, where you have CS2 installed. The entire process is free and takes just a few minutes.
After creating an account:
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Download the Faceit Anti-Cheat application—you can't join any matches without it.
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Log in to CS2 and launch the platform through the Faceit client or a browser.
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You can start playing immediately—you'll be matched with opponents of a similar ELO level.
The ELO system on Faceit
Every player on Faceit starts with 1000 ELO points (Level 3). The more you win, the faster you'll climb the ranks. The level system ranges from 1 to 10, with Level 10 currently representing the top players. This system is independent of CS2's Premier mode.
The differences between Faceit and CS2 Premier mode
128 tickrate on both platforms
In CS2, the standard tickrate is 128—in both Premier and on Faceit. This was previously a key argument for Faceit (as matchmaking had a 64 tickrate), but since the release of CS2, this advantage has been eliminated.
So what's the difference between Faceit and Premier?
Structure and community. Faceit offers much more than a simple ranked mode. It's a platform with its own community, additional features, and a competitive ecosystem:
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The ability to join Hubs, teams, and leagues
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Daily, weekly, and monthly tournaments
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Detailed match statistics
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A system of rewards, medals, and FACEIT Points
Premier in CS2 is just an ELO ranking and a map veto, whereas Faceit provides a complete esports environment.
Hubs, leagues, and prizes on Faceit
What are Hubs?
Hubs are community leagues with their own rules, prizes, and scoring systems. They can be local, national, or international. Players compete in seasons and win prizes—often skins, Faceit Points, or even cash bonuses.
Faceit Pro League (FPL)
FPL is an elite league that only the best Level 10 players get into. Current and former professionals play there. The path to FPL goes through:
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FPL-C (Challenger)
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Competing with other top players
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Consistently maintaining a high ELO and activity
Playing in FPL also comes with cash prizes—the top players receive real payouts every month.
Does Faceit still make sense in 2025?
Premier isn't everything
Although CS2 introduced Premier with a 128 tickrate and an ELO system, Faceit still offers something that Premier doesn't—an esports environment. Premier is more of a "ranking for playing at home," while Faceit is a platform for development, competition, and advancing to the professional scene.
If you want to play with better players, learn, improve your stats, and have a chance at prizes, Faceit is unbeatable.
Community and development
Faceit is where the best CS2 players in Poland and around the world play. Thousands of matches take place daily, and the active communities in Hubs are a great place to meet other ambitious players.
How Faceit improves players' skills in CS2
Higher pressure, better learning
Faceit offers a higher level of pressure than standard matchmaking. Every match here counts, and the outcome largely depends on the quality of communication, tactics, and individual skills. This helps players learn faster how to:
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Effectively use utilities
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Play a specific role (entry, support, lurk)
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Improve communication and rotations
Personalized statistics
Faceit provides access to detailed statistics—such as accuracy, kills from different map areas, survival rate, and molotov fail rates. These aren't just dry numbers; they are real tools to help identify weak points and eliminate them.
What distinguishes Faceit tournaments from Valve events?
Regular tournaments with prizes
On Faceit, you'll find:
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Weekly league matches within Hubs
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FPL qualifiers
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Community tournaments (1v1, aim, entry-frag)
In most of these, you can win Faceit Points, skins, gadgets, and sometimes cash prizes—even without being a professional.
Amateur players vs. absolute professionals
In local Hubs, you'll often find players at levels 5–7 who are just learning about team organization and tactics. In FPL-C, you'll find players who aspire to join professional teams. The jump in player quality and skill level is huge—it's worth signing up and watching your own progress.
Does Faceit still have a future?
A developed ecosystem and new initiatives
In 2025, Faceit is actively collaborating with partners—from gaming brands to esports organizations. Every year, new initiatives emerge:
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New regional Hubs
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Sponsored online events
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Contests with real prizes
For players, this means a continuous stream of opportunities to play, learn, and even earn money.
Integration with coaching platforms
Faceit has created opportunities for integration with external services, allowing coaches to watch replays, analyze statistics, and work with players. This is another element that sets the platform apart from standard Valve rankings.
Common problems and how to solve them
Server or anti-cheat instability
Sometimes Faceit can conflict with other applications (overlays, VPNs, antivirus software). The best solution is to clear the cache and reinstall the client.
Large skill disparity in matchmaking
Especially in smaller Hubs, the skill gap can be significant. It's a good idea to play in a group or join leagues with a higher number of participants to achieve a more stable ELO faster.
How to maximize the benefits of playing on Faceit
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Set a specific goal – Do you want to improve your aim, get into FPL, win prizes, or train with a team? Your style of play—solo, duo, in a Hub, or a ladder—depends on this goal.
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Play as a team – By forming a consistent team with friends or through a Hub, you build a stable roster, improve communication, and adopt a shared approach to development.
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Analyze replays – After every match, it's worth reviewing the replays—at least the most important ones from Hubs. This allows you to spot your mistakes and correct them next time.
Summary
Faceit in CS2 is not just an alternative to Premier, but a complete platform for players who take their game seriously. If you've ever wondered how to play Faceit in CS2, you now know: all you need is an account, the anti-cheat, and some determination. If you're serious about developing your skills, having a chance at prizes, and getting an opportunity to start in professional leagues, Faceit is still the best choice.
