How to host an OpenArena server (2026)

Short answer. You can host an OpenArena server yourself for free: download the full OpenArena 0.8.8 ZIP from openarena.ws, unzip it, start oa_ded.x86_64 on Linux with +set dedicated 2 and open UDP port 27960. Or rent an OpenArena server and skip the networking.

Players connect to your server's IP address and port from their own OpenArena game. Nobody needs Quake III Arena.

Checked on 5 November 2026, accurate for OpenArena 0.8.8 (February 2012), the newest release on openarena.ws.

This guide uses the OpenArena download page, the OpenArena engine and game code on GitHub, and the setup our panel uses for OpenArena servers. To go straight to the rental route, see Option 2.

What you need

• Operating system: 64-bit Linux for the steps below. The 0.8.8 ZIP contains the Linux server binary oa_ded.x86_64.
• Network: UDP 27960, the engine's default server port, reachable from the internet. You can change it with net_port.
• Software: wget and unzip. No Steam account and no licence: OpenArena is free.
• The game: every player needs OpenArena, which is also free.

Option 1: host it yourself

Linux

1. Download the game. Open the download page on openarena.ws and take the full ZIP for 0.8.8, or fetch it with the site's own download link.

   mkdir ~/openarena && cd ~/openarena
   wget -O openarena.zip "http://www.openarena.ws/request.php?4"

   That link redirects to a copy of openarena-0.8.8.zip, so use -O to name the file.
2. Unpack the server. You only need the server binary and the baseoa and missionpack folders.

   unzip -o openarena.zip "openarena-*/oa_ded.x86_64" "openarena-*/baseoa/*" "openarena-*/missionpack/*"
   mv -f openarena-*/* . && rm -rf openarena-*/
   chmod +x oa_ded.x86_64

3. Start the server.

   ./oa_ded.x86_64 +set dedicated 2 +set net_port 27960 +set sv_hostname "My OpenArena Server" +set sv_maxclients 16 +set g_gametype 0 +set bot_enable 1 +set bot_minplayers 4 +map aggressor

   dedicated 2 is for internet play. In the engine source, a server only sends heartbeats to the master servers when it runs with dedicated 2 (or sv_public set), while dedicated 1 is for LAN play.
4. Open the port. Allow UDP 27960 on the machine's firewall (with ufw: sudo ufw allow 27960/udp) and forward it as UDP on your router to this machine.
5. Check it. When the console prints AAS initialized, the map and the bot navigation data have loaded. Then have a friend connect to your public IP and port.

The main startup settings

• net_port: the UDP port. The engine's default is 27960.
• sv_hostname: the server name.
• sv_maxclients: the player slots. It takes effect when the map loads, so change it before a map change or restart.
• g_password: the join password. Leave it empty for an open server.
• rconpassword: the remote console password. Without one, remote commands are off.
• g_gametype: the game mode, a number from the game code: 0 Free For All, 3 Team Deathmatch, 4 Capture The Flag, 7 Harvester, 10 Last Man Standing, 11 Double Domination. Other numbers exist in the code (for example 1 Tournament and 12 Domination).
• bot_enable and bot_minplayers: with bots enabled, the server adds bots until that many players are in the match. In team modes the number counts per team, so 4 tops each team up to 4 players with bots (more humans can still join).
• +map: the starting map. Objective modes need a map built for them: aggressor has no flags, so for Capture The Flag start a CTF map such as oa_ctf2.

Option 2: host it on PlayNHost

Renting removes the firewall, port forwarding and the download and unpack steps. The port is set for you.

1. Pick a plan. Open the OpenArena server hosting page and compare the plans (SKIRMISH, DEATHMATCH and TOURNAMENT at the time of writing, for 8, 16 and 32 players). Press Create Server on a plan (Customize Plan on TOURNAMENT) and finish the order. Prices are on that page.
2. Wait for the install. You get an email when the server is ready, and it appears at panel.playnhost.com. On the Console tab, the panel counts the server as running when it prints AAS initialized.
3. Open Settings. These fields feed the server's startup line:
   • Server Hostname: the server name, up to 55 characters.
   • Server Password: the join password, up to 20 characters. Empty means anyone can join.
   • RCON Password: up to 20 characters, for remote console commands.
   • Gametype / Gamemode: Free For All, Team Deathmatch, Capture The Flag, Harvester, Last Man Standing or Double Domination.
   • Game Map: the map the server starts on. The default is aggressor, which has no flags, so for Capture The Flag pick a CTF map such as oa_ctf2.
   • Bots: how many players the match is filled up to with bots, up to 16. In team modes this counts per team.
   • Max Players: set by your plan and not editable here. Edit Player Slots can lower it for a smaller match.
4. Restart. The server reads these values when it starts, so restart it after changing them and wait for AAS initialized.
5. Join. Players connect from OpenArena using the server's IP address and port shown in the panel, and the password if you set one.

What our setup does for you

• Install. The install script downloads the 0.8.8 ZIP from openarena.ws and unpacks only the server binary, baseoa and missionpack, the same trimmed set as the Linux steps above.
• Fixed startup line. The panel starts oa_ded.x86_64 with your port, name, passwords, slots, gametype and bot count, with bot_enable 1 always on. It sets neither dedicated 2 nor sv_public, so by the engine's rules the server does not announce itself to the master servers. Share its address with your players instead of expecting a public list entry.
• Restart Match. The Restart Match quick task reloads the current map without a full restart.
• Files. Deeper bot, gametype and map-cycle configuration lives under Files.

Self-hosting or renting: an honest comparison

• Cost. Self-hosted: the software is free, and you pay for hardware, power and bandwidth. Rented: a monthly fee set by plan. See the current plans.
• Availability. Self-hosted: as reliable as your machine and home internet, and it has to be on when your friends play. Rented: runs on the host's hardware, not your PC.
• Public server list. Self-hosted: possible with dedicated 2. Rented: our startup line does not announce it, so share the address.
• Network exposure. Self-hosted: players connect to your public IP and you look after the firewall and router. Rented: your home IP is not involved.
• Control. Self-hosted: any startup setting you like. Rented: the fields in Settings, plus the config files under Files.

Self-hosting suits you if a machine already runs all day and you are comfortable with networking. Renting suits you if you would rather not look after hardware.

Common problems and fixes

Friends cannot connect

Cause: UDP 27960 (or your net_port) is blocked by a firewall or not forwarded on the router.

Fix: allow it as UDP, forward it, and give players your public IP with the port.

Your slot change does nothing

Cause: sv_maxclients is latched: it applies when the server starts or the map changes.

Fix: change the map or restart the server.

You expected a server list entry

Cause: the server runs without dedicated 2.

Fix: on your own machine, start with +set dedicated 2. On PlayNHost, share the address.

FAQ

Can I host an OpenArena server for free?

Yes. The server is free software. You still pay for the machine, power and internet.

Do I need Quake III Arena?

No. The 0.8.8 ZIP contains everything the server needs.

Which port does an OpenArena server use?

UDP 27960 by default. Change it with net_port.

How many players can join?

You choose it with sv_maxclients. Our plans are 8, 16 and 32 players.

Can I add bots?

Yes. Set bot_enable 1 and bot_minplayers, or use the Bots field on PlayNHost.

Ready to play? See the OpenArena server plans.