Is Cache Coming to CS2? Everything We Know

As of the latest CS2 updates, Cache is not available in the official game. It is not part of the active duty competitive map pool, the reserve group, or any other official map rotation. Valve has not made any public announcement regarding plans to add Cache to CS2.

The current active duty pool consists of seven maps: Mirage, Inferno, Dust2, Nuke, Ancient, Anubis, and Vertigo. You can find full details on the current rotation in our CS2 map pool guide. Cache is conspicuously absent from both the competitive and casual playlists.

Players who want to experience Cache in CS2 can look to community-created workshop maps as an unofficial alternative. However, these recreations are maintained by community members and may not perfectly replicate the original experience.

There are several reasons why Cache has not made the jump to CS2. Understanding the context helps set realistic expectations about if and when it might return.

First, Cache is unique among competitive Counter-Strike maps because it was primarily developed and maintained by a community mapper (FMPONE) rather than Valve's internal team. This means porting Cache to the Source 2 engine requires collaboration between Valve and the map's creator, which may involve different timelines and priorities than Valve-owned maps.

Second, the transition from CS:GO to CS2 involved significant engine changes. Maps need to be rebuilt or heavily modified to work with Source 2's new lighting, physics, and rendering systems. This is not a simple copy-paste process -- each map requires substantial work to meet the visual and technical standards of CS2.

Third, Valve has been methodical about adding maps to CS2, focusing on the core competitive pool first and gradually expanding. Maps that were in the reserve pool in CS:GO (where Cache sat before the transition) have lower priority than active duty maps.

Cache has a rich history in the Counter-Strike franchise. The map was originally created by community mapper Sal "Volcano" Garozzo and later refined in collaboration with FMPONE. It was first introduced to CS:GO's competitive scene and quickly became a fan favourite for its balanced layout and fast-paced gameplay.

The map was set in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone near the Pripyat nuclear power plant, giving it a distinctive visual theme. Its layout featured two bomb sites connected by a central mid area, with multiple entry points and rotation paths that rewarded both tactical play and individual skill.

Cache was part of the CS:GO active duty map pool for several years before being moved to the reserve pool. During its time in active duty, it was a staple of professional tournaments and one of the most played maps at Major championships. FMPONE released a visual overhaul of Cache in 2019 that updated the map's appearance while maintaining its competitive layout. You can explore all current CS2 maps on the wiki.

The Counter-Strike community has not waited for an official release. Several community mappers have created their own versions of Cache for CS2 using the Source 2 Workshop tools. These unofficial ports attempt to recreate the classic layout within the new engine.

You can find community Cache maps on the Steam Workshop. Search for "Cache" and sort by most popular or most recent to find the best-maintained versions. Keep in mind that community maps may have differences in timing, visual quality, and gameplay feel compared to what an official Valve-approved version would offer.

To play these community maps, you need to subscribe to them on the Workshop and then load them through the console or practice mode. Our guide on CS2 workshop maps walks through the full process of finding, downloading, and loading custom maps in CS2.

The honest answer is that nobody outside of Valve knows for certain. There has been no official confirmation that Cache will be added to CS2, and Valve is famously tight-lipped about upcoming content. Any claims about confirmed release dates for Cache in CS2 should be treated as speculation.

That said, there are reasons for cautious optimism. Cache remains one of the most popular and well-regarded maps in Counter-Strike history. The community demand is significant, and FMPONE has remained active in the mapping community. Valve has also shown willingness to expand the CS2 map pool over time, adding maps that were not part of the initial launch.

The best approach is to keep an eye on the official Counter-Strike website and CS2 update notes for any announcements. When Valve does add or change maps in the pool, they typically announce it through game updates and blog posts. Until then, community workshop versions remain the only way to experience Cache in CS2.