TFCL PLAY / GET STARTED
A PUG is a pickup game: players join a lobby, form teams, and play TF2 together. You can come on your own. Here’s how to get from browsing to your first game.
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Open PUGs welcome all skill levels, from Invite players to Open-division players and newcomers. “Open” means everyone is welcome - not a league division. Individual players join a lobby and form teams.
Two teams of six. The usual lineup is two Scouts, two Soldiers, a Demoman, and a Medic per team.
Choose the classes you would play. Open Sixes forms teams automatically from class signups, without captains or a draft.
Explore Open Sixes
A Soldier and a Medic on each team. Fight together on a smaller map, with four playing slots in total.
Choose Soldier, Medic, or both as queue preferences. Matchmaking assigns teams in a separate PUG. You don’t need to bring a partner.
Explore Open Ultiduo
One of each TF2 class on each team: Scout, Soldier, Pyro, Demoman, Heavy, Engineer, Medic, Sniper, and Spy. There are 18 playing slots.
Join the public Highlander queue and save your class preferences. Selected players get a separate, class-complete match page.
Explore Open HighlanderOpening a lobby does not join it. Take a look first, then join when you’re ready.
Use your existing Steam account. You don’t need a separate TFCL Play password.
No sign-in is needed to read this guide.
Sign in with SteamCheck the format, region, current players, and voice requirements. Choose a region close to you and read any host instructions.
Browse pickup gamesA quiet queue may need more players. A scheduled session can help everyone arrive together.
In a public Open queue, join and save the classes you would play. ELO helps group similarly rated players and balance teams, with waiting-time priority and randomized ties. The queue stays open while separate PUGs play. Custom Open PUGs use direct class slots; verified Invite PUGs can use captain picks.
If the lobby requires Discord, link your account and follow its voice instructions. It is not required by every lobby.
Steam & Discord settingsWhen the queue shows your PUG assignment, open its separate match page and confirm ready within five minutes. Press Ready only if you can play now, then join voice if required.
Joining a queue is not the same as being ready. Follow the next action shown in your lobby.
Wait for the lobby’s server to show Ready, then use its connection button or full connect command. Keep the lobby open for instructions.
Show me how to connectAfter the game, recorded results appear in match history. Please stay for the full game and follow the PUG rules.
Your lobby provides the real connection details. Don’t use a command from an example or another game.
Use the lobby’s connect button if available. If you need the console, open TF2’s Options → Keyboard → Advanced and enable the developer console.
Use your console key binding (usually ~). You can check or change it in TF2’s keyboard settings.
Copy the lobby’s full connect command, including its password if provided. Paste it into the console and press Enter.
Server still starting? Wait in the lobby. Don’t repeatedly create another server to try to speed things up.
The details can vary between lobbies. The instructions in your chosen lobby come first.
No. You can join on your own. The lobby gathers players and forms teams. You can also invite friends or find a scheduled session.
Only when the lobby requires it. Check its voice settings before joining. Required-voice lobbies can ask you to link Discord and enter the indicated voice channel before the game starts.
Start with a class you are comfortable playing. In Sixes, Scout focuses on movement and objectives, Soldier on pressure and pushes, Demoman on area control, and Medic on healing and ÜberCharge. Ultiduo uses Soldier and Medic. Look for a beginner-friendly session if you want help learning a role.
The lobby may still need players, be choosing teams, or be waiting for ready checks, voice checks, or a server. Read the current stage and next action. In formats with a player pool, joining does not guarantee selection for the next game.
Make sure the server shows Ready and TF2 is open. Copy the entire current command, including the password, from your lobby. If it still fails, tell the host or community support what error TF2 shows. Never share RCON or other private server credentials.
Get help on DiscordNo. Preferences, alerts, and marking the guide as read are optional. Your lobby’s sign-in, voice, and ready requirements still apply.
Browse a lobby, or plan a time to play with a beginner-friendly group.
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