CS:GO - How to join competitive servers?

I have, so far, only played cs:go by clicking Browse community servers and join a few of my favorite servers (mostly low ping and friendly people). Now I am getting a little better on the game I though about playing competitive to see what rank I can get, but I have a doubt.

Does the only way to join competitive servers is by clicking Find a game and selecting competitive? Community quick-play and Browse community servers are just casual (non ranked)?

I ask this because I would like to see a list of competitive servers to I can choose the one I want, but I believe Find a game option just choose the server for you.

Solution 1:

Yes, that is the only way. You can also create a group of friends before you do so and enter the game with your friends on your team and go on a pub stomp. But matchmaking is the only way to enter a competitive match.

Solution 2:

I don't feel the answer marked as the answer is correct. The

Find a game and selecting competitive?

uses the built in matchmaking and does indeed put in you the competitive server. These servers are generally referred to as "official" servers.

But is it the only way? No, it's not. There are external services such as ESEA, ESL and CEVO and the like that also allow you to run a Competitive game on their servers.

I'm not going to get in to the differences of the servers but they are different and they are running the competitive game mode.

I recall these services giving you a bit more insight in to the servers prior to queuing for a game.