Assetto Corsa dedicated server setup
Hosting your own Assetto Corsa server lets you control the track, car list, rules and who can join. Content Manager's Server Manager handles the configuration — no manual config file editing required.
What do you need to host an Assetto Corsa server?
Hosting an Assetto Corsa dedicated server requires three things: the Assetto Corsa Dedicated Server tool installed from Steam (free), Content Manager to configure and start the server through its graphical Server Manager, and two ports forwarded on your router so external players can connect. All players must have the same version of the track and cars as the server. Content Manager handles server configuration through a preset system — you select the track, car list and player slots from dropdowns, then click Start.
Which ports does an Assetto Corsa server need?
| Port | Protocol | Purpose | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9600 | TCP + UDP | Game data — players connect to this port | Required. Must be forwarded on router. |
| 8081 | TCP | HTTP server — CM uses this for lobby registration | Required for public listing. Forward on router. |
| 9600 | UDP | Voice / real-time data | Same as game port; covered by the same router rule. |
Key server settings in Content Manager
| Setting | What it controls | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Server name | The name shown in the Content Manager server browser. Make it descriptive — include car class and track. | Any string |
| Password | Leave blank for a public server; set any string for a private server shared with specific players. | Optional |
| Max clients | Maximum simultaneous player slots. Each additional client adds CPU and bandwidth load. | 8–24 |
| Track | The circuit or road all players must have installed. A version mismatch bars that player from joining. | Any installed track |
| Car list | The cars players can select. Limiting to one model creates a spec-class race. | One or more installed cars |
| Pickup mode | Players can join mid-session if enabled. Disable for clean race starts. | On for open servers |
| Voting kick | Allows players to vote to remove a disruptive player. | Recommended: enabled |
| Time of day | Session start time, affects lighting. Works with Sol/Pure if the client has them installed. | Any value |
How to set up an Assetto Corsa server
- 1 Install Assetto Corsa Dedicated Server via Steam
In your Steam library, open the Tools section and install "Assetto Corsa Dedicated Server". This is a separate free tool that provides the server binary. It does not require a separate copy of Assetto Corsa to be running — it runs as its own process. Content Manager uses this binary when launching servers from its Server Manager.
- 2 Open Content Manager Server Manager
In Content Manager, go to Server → Server Presets (or press the Server button in the left navigation). This is the Server Manager — it lets you create, configure and start server presets without editing configuration files manually.
- 3 Create a new server preset
Click the + button to create a new preset. Give it a descriptive name such as "Highlands GT3 — Public". Select the track from the Track dropdown — all installed tracks appear here. Then choose one or more allowed cars from the Car list. Only players with a matching version of the selected cars can join.
- 4 Configure server settings
Set Max Clients to the number of player slots (8–16 is manageable for most home servers). Set a server name that clearly describes the session — include the car class and track so it stands out in the server browser. Optionally set a password to make it private. Leave Pickup Mode enabled for an open casual server; disable it if you want clean race starts.
- 5 Forward ports on your router
In your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), create two port forwarding rules pointing to your PC's local IP address: TCP + UDP on port 9600 (game data) and TCP on port 8081 (HTTP lobby). Without port forwarding, the server is only accessible on your local network. Your public IP address is what external players connect to.
- 6 Start the server and confirm it appears in the browser
Click Start Server in the Server Manager. Content Manager launches the dedicated server process. After 10–30 seconds, open the CM server browser on another device or ask a friend to search for your server name — it should appear in the public list if port forwarding is correct. Players connect by finding it in the browser or by entering your public IP and port directly.
Assetto Corsa server — common questions
How do I host an Assetto Corsa server?
To host an Assetto Corsa server: install the "Assetto Corsa Dedicated Server" tool from Steam (free, under Tools in your library). Open Content Manager's Server Manager (Server → Server Presets), create a new preset, select a track and car list, set the player slots and server name, then click Start Server. Forward ports 9600 (TCP + UDP) and 8081 (TCP) in your router's admin panel so external players can connect. The server appears in Content Manager's online browser within 30 seconds of starting.
What ports does an Assetto Corsa server need?
An Assetto Corsa dedicated server needs two ports forwarded on your router: port 9600 on both TCP and UDP for game data (players connect here), and port 8081 on TCP for the HTTP server that registers the session with the public lobby list. Without port 8081 forwarded, the server runs but does not appear in the Content Manager server browser for other players. Both rules should point to your PC's local IP address.
Do players need the same mods as the server?
Yes. All players connecting to an Assetto Corsa server must have the exact same version of the track and each car the server offers. A version mismatch — same car mod, different version — prevents that player from joining and shows as a content error in Content Manager. Some servers enable automatic content download, which lets Content Manager download missing content directly when a player tries to join. This requires the server operator to configure a download server pointing to the correct mod archives.
Can I run an Assetto Corsa server on the same PC I play on?
Yes. Assetto Corsa's dedicated server is a lightweight process and runs comfortably alongside the game on the same PC. Content Manager's Server Manager starts and stops the server process independently of the game. For casual play with friends, a mid-range PC (8 GB RAM, modern CPU) handles 8–16 player slots without affecting game performance. For larger servers (24+ slots) or servers running large track mods, a separate machine or a cloud VPS is recommended.
How do I make my Assetto Corsa server password protected?
To password-protect an Assetto Corsa server, open the server preset in Content Manager's Server Manager and enter a password in the Password field. Once set, players must enter this password in the Content Manager server browser when connecting. The server name still appears publicly in the browser (with a lock icon), but no one can join without the password. Share the password and your server name with the specific players you want to allow.
What is the Assetto Corsa Dedicated Server tool on Steam?
The Assetto Corsa Dedicated Server is a free Steam tool (separate from the main game) that provides the server binary used to host multiplayer sessions. It appears under Tools in your Steam library if you own Assetto Corsa. Content Manager's Server Manager uses this binary to launch and manage server processes from its graphical interface — it replaces the need to edit server_cfg.ini and entry_list.ini files manually. Install it once and Content Manager handles the rest.
Want to join servers instead?
Content Manager's online browser makes finding and joining public Assetto Corsa servers fast and simple. Our online racing guide explains how it works.
Online racing guide