Valve added Counter-Strike: Global Offensive back to the Steam store.
Yes, you read that right CS:GO (Counter-Strike: Global Offensive) is finally back on Steam! You can now install the Global Offensive legacy branch, which now has its own App ID and Steam store page, although it is unlisted. We are excited to announce that Valve decided to release the legacy version of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive in 2026! You can now download Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on Steam again.
But how do I install CS:GO in 2026? What changes does it have from the original CS:GO? What CAN and CAN’T I do in this version of Global Offensive?
Read all the information you need to know about the CS:GO legacy edition right in this article!
How to install Counter-Strike: Global Offensive in 2026
To install CS:GO in the year 2026, you will have to head to this Steam Store page, as the Steam Store page itself is unlisted, but accessible. The version of CS:GO you install will be the “csgo_legacy branch”.
A disclaimer on the Steam Store Page reads: “At the request of the publisher, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is unlisted on the Steam store and will not appear in search.” The version of CS:GO you install will be the “csgo_legacy branch”. The legacy version of CS:GO ended its support on January 1st 2024.
Here is the link to install Counter-Strike: Global Offensive or add it to your Steam Account: CS:GO Steam Store Page
A disclaimer on the Steam Store Page reads: “At the request of the publisher, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is unlisted on the Steam store and will not appear in search.” The version of CS:GO you install will be the “csgo_legacy branch”. The legacy version of CS:GO ended its support on January 1st 2024.
Here is the link to install Counter-Strike: Global Offensive or add it to your Steam Account: CS:GO Steam Store Page
Important to note
This version of CS:GO is not supported by Valve anymore! There won't be any additional updates, skins from Counter-Strike 2 will not work in CS:GO, Valve is not hosting any servers, and the community server browser is not working. As a matter of fact, while trying this version, we could not connect to the CS:GO network, meaning our loadout was locked, and we could not equip any skins or change out our guns.
One could still host games with sites such as “Popflash”, among others.
One could still host games with sites such as “Popflash”, among others.
What does this version of CS:GO have to offer?
The csgo_legacy branch offers you a full indulgence in your nostalgia for Global Offensive. You can explore old CS:GO maps yet again, with everything that goes with it. You get back the CS:GO weapon models, CS:GO sounds, and as we previously stated, you can even host servers on third-party platforms and play with your friends in a 5v5 scenario! Or how about some wingman instead?
For a solo experience, you can play against bots, explore the CS:GO maps or do the training course, something we deeply miss in Counter-Strike 2.
For a solo experience, you can play against bots, explore the CS:GO maps or do the training course, something we deeply miss in Counter-Strike 2.
How to play CS:GO in 2026?
You have to install the legacy version (mentioned above) and you can host your very own private servers that work!
You can: Host servers on PopFlash, edangg, and there is even a project out there to revive DangerZone!
If you find a good and trustworthy site, you can also join their dedicated servers and play CS:GO all day long if you want to!
You can: Host servers on PopFlash, edangg, and there is even a project out there to revive DangerZone!
If you find a good and trustworthy site, you can also join their dedicated servers and play CS:GO all day long if you want to!
Conclusion
Thank you for reading up on our article about the CS:GO legacy branch. We hope to see some community tournaments in this version of CS:GO, and we are super happy that it is so easy to “download” or “Get” Counter-Strike: Global Offensive in 2026 now. It is no longer hidden behind a beta branch, but its very own Steam Store page (although it is hidden).
