Ping rises with player count (server optimization)

I’m trying to optimize my dedicated servers. I’ve noticed that as more players join, everyone’s ping goes up a bit.

I know this is a fairly broad question without any real information on the situation, but does anyone know any primary reasons why this may be the case?

I would say more players means more info being pushed around to each player about the new player. takes a bit to get everything replicated and to everyone. That is probably why it is doing that. Each player must replicate what ever to everyone else, more players, more info to move, more or higher ping time as a result.