January 10, 2026

Counter Strike 2 Premier Season 4 Official Start Date

CS2 Premier Season 4 is officially on the horizon, and Valve has now confirmed key details that competitive players have been waiting for. With a new season comes familiar anticipation, ranked resets, and most importantly, changes to the Active Duty map pool that can significantly reshape the Premier meta.

After weeks of speculation, Valve has confirmed that Train will be removed from the CS2 Premier map pool ahead of Season 4. In its place, Anubis is set to return to Active Duty starting between January 19th and January 25th, marking a notable shift in how teams will approach map vetoes and preparation. For players who struggled to find consistency on Train, this update alone could dramatically change the competitive landscape.

CS2 Anubis map

When Does CS2 Premier Season 4 Start?

CS2 Premier Season 4 is expected to begin after January 19th, and most likely around January 25th, following the conclusion of Season 3. While Valve has not published a formal countdown inside the client yet, the timing aligns with previous seasonal transitions and the confirmed map pool update. Season 3 has been running throughout the latter half of 2025, and many players are already preparing for their next placement matches through Counter Strike boosting services and coaching sessions.

Valve’s newer seasonal structure suggests a more predictable cadence compared to the early days of CS2 Premier. Season 1 lasted well over a year, but since January 2025, Valve has shifted toward shorter, more structured seasons tied loosely to the competitive calendar.

When Will CS2 Premier Season 3 End?

Although Valve did not announce a precise end date when Season 3 launched, historical patterns provide a strong indication. With map pool changes now occurring at the beginning and middle of the year, it is reasonable to expect Season 3 to conclude shortly after the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, which wrapped up on December 14th.

That said, the new season will not begin immediately. Valve traditionally allows a buffer during the holiday period, meaning CS2 Premier Season 3 is likely to officially end in mid to late January. For reference, Premier Season 2 began on January 25th, 2025, following a similar competitive downtime.

What's Changing in Season 4?

The confirmed return of Anubis is the headline change for Season 4. The map has evolved significantly since its last Active Duty rotation, and its reintroduction will reward teams with strong utility usage, mid control, and coordinated executes. Removing Train also places greater emphasis on tactical depth rather than long sightline duels, which will have a huge impact on CS2 Esports.

CS2 2026 service medal

Beyond Anubis, speculation around additional map changes continues. Cache remains the most discussed candidate, especially after Valve acquired the map earlier this year. While nothing has been officially confirmed beyond Train’s removal, the possibility of Cache entering the Premier pool has reignited discussions about long-term map rotation strategy.

How Ranked Players Are Preparing for the Reset

With a new season comes a fresh MMR climb, and many players are already adjusting their routines to be ready on day one. A seasonal reset often creates volatile matchmaking, where skill gaps feel wider than usual. For players short on time or struggling to maintain consistent rank progression, services related to a CS2 boost have become a topic of discussion within the community, particularly early in a season when placement matches matter most.

Similarly, others look toward CS2 boosting options later in the season when competition stabilizes and ranks begin to settle. As these services are on high demand, their popularity highlights how competitive Premier has become and how impactful early-season performance can be on long-term rank outcomes.

Ready to Start CS2 Premier Season 4?

CS2 Premier Season 4 is shaping up to be a meaningful update rather than a routine reset. The removal of Train, return of Anubis, and potential future map additions suggest Valve is actively refining the competitive experience. Whether you are pushing for a new personal best, adjusting to the evolving map pool, or simply enjoying a cleaner seasonal structure, January 19th marks an important date for every Counter-Strike 2 competitor.

As Season 3 winds down, now is the ideal time to revisit map fundamentals, sharpen utility lineups, and prepare for a ranked environment that will feel very different once Season 4 goes live.

 

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