How to Set Up an Assetto Corsa Dedicated Server

A dedicated Assetto Corsa server lets your sim-racing group run private practice, championships, and drift nights on the cars and tracks you choose. This guide sets up an AC dedicated server on a Linux VPS and keeps it online.

What you need

• A VPS: Ubuntu 22.04. AC servers are light — 2 vCPU and 2 GB RAM handles a full grid. Low latency matters more than raw power for racing.
• The server files: the AC dedicated server is App ID 302550 via SteamCMD, or you can copy the server folder from a PC install of the game.
• Ports: the TCP and UDP ports you set in server_cfg.ini (defaults 9600 UDP, 8081 TCP for HTTP, plus a TCP port), and the registration port.

Step 1: User and dependencies

sudo adduser --disabled-password --gecos "" ac
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y lib32gcc-s1 lib32stdc++6 steamcmd

Step 2: Get the server files

Install with SteamCMD:

sudo su - ac
steamcmd +force_install_dir /home/ac/server +login anonymous +app_update 302550 validate +quit

The Linux server binary is acServer. Some car and track content isn't included — copy any premium/DLC content folders from a licensed PC copy of Assetto Corsa into content/cars and content/tracks.

Step 3: Configure server_cfg.ini

Edit /home/ac/server/cfg/server_cfg.ini:

[SERVER]
NAME=My Nxeon AC Server
CARS=ks_toyota_gt86
TRACK=magione
CONFIG_TRACK=
MAX_CLIENTS=16
PASSWORD=
ADMIN_PASSWORD=change-this-strong-password
UDP_PORT=9600
TCP_PORT=9600
HTTP_PORT=8081
REGISTER_TO_LOBBY=1

[PRACTICE]
TIME=60
IS_OPEN=1

Set REGISTER_TO_LOBBY=1 to appear in the public server list. Match CARS to entries in your entry list below.

Step 4: Configure entry_list.ini

Each grid slot is a car entry. Edit /home/ac/server/cfg/entry_list.ini:

[CAR_0]
MODEL=ks_toyota_gt86
SKIN=black
SPECTATOR_MODE=0

[CAR_1]
MODEL=ks_toyota_gt86
SKIN=white
SPECTATOR_MODE=0

Add one [CAR_n] block per grid slot, up to MAX_CLIENTS.

Step 5: Open the firewall

sudo ufw allow 9600/udp
sudo ufw allow 9600/tcp
sudo ufw allow 8081/tcp
sudo ufw reload

Open the same ports in your provider's network firewall.

Step 6: Start and keep it online

cd /home/ac/server
./acServer

Then create /etc/systemd/system/ac.service:

[Unit]
Description=Assetto Corsa Dedicated Server
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=simple
User=ac
WorkingDirectory=/home/ac/server
ExecStart=/home/ac/server/acServer
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=10

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable --now ac
sudo journalctl -u ac -f

Server managers and Content Manager

Most communities pair the AC server with a manager UI — the popular open-source Assetto Server Manager, or Content Manager on the client side — for easy championship setup, live timing, and CSP/Sol weather. These sit on top of the same acServer binary and config files above. Host the manager's web UI behind HTTPS with set up Nginx with free SSL using Let's Encrypt.

Latency is everything

For racing, ping matters more than horsepower — pick a VPS location close to your drivers. See choosing a game server location for low ping and Game Server Specs Explained. If you also host other games, hosting multiple game servers on one VPS keeps them tidy.

Practice, qualifying, and race sessions

The server config supports a full session flow. Beyond [PRACTICE], add [QUALIFY] and [RACE] blocks:

[QUALIFY]
TIME=15
IS_OPEN=1

[RACE]
LAPS=10
WAIT_TIME=60
IS_OPEN=1

Set IS_OPEN=1 to let latecomers join, or 0 for a locked grid. That's how league nights run: a practice window, a timed qualifying session that sets the grid, then the race.

Assists, penalties, and realism

Tune the challenge in server_cfg.ini:

• ABS_ALLOWED / TC_ALLOWED / STABILITY_ALLOWED — 0 off, 1 factory, 2 forced on.
• FUEL_RATE, TYRE_WEAR_RATE, DAMAGE_MULTIPLIER — scale realism from arcade to hardcore.
• MAX_CONTACTS_PER_KM and penalty settings help keep racing clean.

Troubleshooting

• Server not in the lobby: set REGISTER_TO_LOBBY=1 and open the ports on both firewalls.
• Drivers can't select a car: entry_list.ini model names must exactly match installed content folders.
• Warping or rubber-banding: almost always latency — put the server near your drivers.

FAQ

What App ID is the Assetto Corsa dedicated server?

App ID 302550 via SteamCMD. You can also copy the server folder from a licensed PC install of the game.

Why don't my cars or tracks show up?

The server only ships base content. DLC/premium and mod cars and tracks must be copied into content/cars and content/tracks, and their names must match your CARS/entry_list.ini.

How many drivers can join?

Set MAX_CLIENTS (up to the number of [CAR_n] entries). Typical grids are 16–24; the server handles a full grid on modest hardware.

Do I need a powerful server?

No — AC is light on CPU and RAM. Prioritise a nearby, low-latency location over raw specs for the best racing feel.

Set up your sim-racing league on a low-latency game server VPS from Nxeon — pick a location near your drivers and keep full root access to your server.