# Private Match Players Forced Into Public Matches

**URL:** <https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/private-match-players-forced-into-public-matches/2763445>\
**Category:** Issues and Bug Reporting\
**Tags:** closed, fortnite-creative, unreal-editor-for-fortnite, editor, epic-for-indies, fortnite\
**Created:** [September 7, 2026, 6:37pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/private-match-players-forced-into-public-matches/2763445 "2026-09-07T18:37:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Ridan1](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@Ridan1](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/Ridan1)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2026, 6:37pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/private-match-players-forced-into-public-matches/2763445/1 "2026-09-07T18:37:13Z")

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### Summary

When a player selects a Private Match, they may suddenly be placed with players from a Public Match. Sometimes, other players also join the Private Match unexpectedly. This can cause the server to get stuck and prevent

### Please select what you are reporting on:

Creative

### What Type of Bug are you experiencing?

Assets

### Steps to Reproduce

1. Enter the map.
2. Select Private Match.
3. Start the match alone or with friends.
4. Wait for the match to start.
5. Check the players in the session.

### Expected Result

When selecting a Private Match, the player should only be in a private session with their party and should not be placed in a public match with other players.

### Observed Result

When a player joins a Private Match, they are sometimes suddenly placed into a Public Match with other players.

### Platform(s)

PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Mobile

### Island Code

8882-1495-4578

### Upload an image

 ![Screenshot_2026-09-07-05-03-40-975_com.epicgames.fortnite~3.jpg](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/8/f/8/8f8ab93a0deef0139e8ba81414f01765d8d302fc.jpeg) ![Screenshot_2026-09-07-05-03-40-975_com.epicgames.fortnite~2.jpg](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/c/b/2cbee0bf490abd81c511860179de8d60fd3e7d56.jpeg)

### Video

[![](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/4/a/2/4a2dcaaf30e3e52ef00c0013509a31415da46c3d.jpeg "8 September 2026 🫪") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcRTXV8tPQ4)

### Additional Notes

Important note: There is no problem with the island’s settings.

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**Author:** ![Mineblo](https://d1ap1mz92jnks1.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/forums.unrealengine.com/mineblo/32/1203575_2.png) [@Mineblo](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/Mineblo)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2026, 6:43pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/private-match-players-forced-into-public-matches/2763445/2 "2026-09-07T18:43:02Z")

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I’m confused but I don’t understand the video, when the player starts the matchmaking they have it set to “public” and then are placed inside a public game

 ![image](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/7/1/0/7107717b75bd3f13f36dd93fe34fe1473dda2c40.png)

Once inside you can more easily validate if the game is public or private by opening your map/scoreboard and going to the overview tab

 ![image](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/e/1/2/e12dbd4f6d33fc02a704c8ecd734785aa53b6818.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![Bug-Reporter](https://d1ap1mz92jnks1.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/forums.unrealengine.com/bug-reporter/32/997076_2.png) [@Bug-Reporter](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/Bug-Reporter)\
**Post date:** [October 15, 2026, 6:00pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/private-match-players-forced-into-public-matches/2763445/6 "2026-10-15T18:00:35Z")

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FORT-1172561 has been ‘Closed’ as a duplicate of an existing known issue. Origin Issue: FORT-1151082, Origin Topic: [Private matchmaking bug](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/private-matchmaking-bug/2746325)