Valve Has Revealed All Steam Sale Event Dates for 2026
Steam‘s famous sales have long been one of the primary reasons PC gamers have such extensive backlogs, and 2026 is already setup to continue that trend. In a recent post on the Steam Community page, Valve disclosed its event calendar for the year, which included dates for each of its major sales. Beginning with one sale near the end of February and then ending with a final mid-December sale that will last through January 2027, Steam is once again offering PC gamers a chance to make their backlog even lengthier with more than a handful of sales planned for 2026.
For PC gamers who like to plan ahead, Valve’s annual calendar offers some clarity around when it makes sense to wait, wishlist, or finally pull the trigger on a purchase. From Steam Next Fest sales to the platform’s yearly seasonal sales, those with a hole in their wallet should have more than enough to throw money at, but knowing when these sales are taking place is half the battle. With 2026 now completely mapped out, players don’t have to wait to be surprised by Steam discounts and can instead start thinking more about the next big addition to their backlog.
Every Steam Sale in 2026
- Steam Next Fest – February 2026 Edition: February 23–March 2
- Steam Next Fest – June 2026 Edition: June 15–June 22
- Steam Summer Sale 2026: June 25–July 9
- Steam Autumn Sale 2026: October 1–October 8
- Steam Next Fest – October 2026 Edition: October 19–October 26
- Steam Winter Sale 2026: December 17–January 4, 2027
With the calendar now public, Steam’s 2026 event lineup should be recognizable to PC players familiar with the platform, as it’s essentially following the same pattern it usually does. 2026’s first Steam sale is Steam Next Fest – February 2026 Edition, which will be running from February 23 through March 2. As always, Next Fest is less about discounts and more about discovering new games to play, with free demos for hundreds of upcoming PC games alongside developer livestreams. It’s one of the best opportunities all year that PC players have to figure out what games they might eventually want without spending a dollar.
Steam Next Fest isn’t technically a sale, but developers often pair demos with unrelated discounts because of the huge surge in user traffic. This makes Next Fest a great time to wishlist or pick up discounts on older titles while also trying out upcoming ones.
The sales continue with Steam Next Fest – June 2026 Edition, scheduled for June 15 through June 22. This time of year is always a big one for PC players on Steam, as they are treated to back-to-back events with Steam Next Fest and the platform’s annual opening seasonal sale. Just three days after June’s Steam Next Fest, the 2026 Steam Summer Sale kicks off from June 25 through July 9. Historically, this is Steam’s biggest sale, with discounts on major AAA releases, long-running live-service games, and beloved indies.
After a relatively quiet late summer, Valve rekindles the flame with the Steam Autumn Sale 2026, running from October 1 through October 8. Shorter and more focused than the Summer or Winter sales, the Autumn Sale is the perfect time for players to make up for any discounts they might have skipped in previous sales, or if they’re simply looking to make a few big purchases before the holiday rush begins.
Later in October, Steam Next Fest – October 2026 Edition runs from October 19 through October 26. Taking place ahead of the 2026’s biggest releases, this Next Fest generally spotlights games that are launching late in the year or early the following one. As usual, it’s a great opportunity for players to demo some games and potentially avoid buyer’s remorse.
Finally, the year wraps up with the Steam Winter Sale 2026, beginning December 17 and running through January 4, 2027. Alongside the Summer Sale, this is Steam’s other big sales event, with major discounts and a long runtime to accommodate the holiday celebrations. For many players, it’s both the end of one backlog cycle and the start of an entirely new one.
Valve also regularly runs genre-specific mini-events throughout the year (like Cyberpunk Fest, Social Deduction Fest, Cooking Fest, etc.). These aren’t part of the major seasonal sale cycle, but they often include genre-focused discounts worth watching.
With Steam’s 2026 calendar intact, PC gamers can plan ahead rather than reacting to a desktop notification about the platform’s sales events. With major sales and discovery events spaced throughout the year, players can decide when to wait, when to wishlist, and when it finally makes sense to buy, even if that planning still ends with an even longer backlog.