Steam Just Dropped the Entire 2026 Sale Schedule and I Hope You Hate Money
Valve decided to bless us (or curse our bank accounts) by dropping the complete roadmap for every single sale happening in the second half of 2026.
I usually have to guess when Gabe Newell is going to reach into my pocket and take my rent money. But this year is different. Valve has been surprisingly transparent lately and they just released the full schedule for the back half of the year. This includes everything from the massive seasonal blowouts to the niche little festivals that celebrate weirdly specific genres. If you were wondering when you could pick up a discount on a train simulator or a cyberpunk shooter, I have the answers right here.
The Heavy Hitters and New Additions
The biggest news here isn't just the dates. It is the confirmation of a new permanent fixture. Valve is officially leaning into Black Friday in November. They tested the waters recently and it looks like they are making it a staple. They plan to direct traffic to a "Special Offers" hub during the traditional shopping holiday. It is about time Steam caught up with the rest of the retail world.
The Summer and Winter Sales
These are the ones you actually care about. The Steam Summer Sale is kicking off on June 25th and running until July 9th. That is your two-week window to buy thirty games you will never install. Later in the year the Winter Sale starts on December 17th and carries us into 2027. I appreciate them giving us a heads-up so I can pretend I am going to save money for it.
The Full 2026 Calendar
I went through the entire announcement and compiled the list for you. It is a mix of the reminder dates for the first half of the year and the fresh info for the second half. There are some hilarious themes in here. "Pins & Pegs Fest" in August sounds like a bowling nightmare and I am absolutely showing up for "Social Deduction Fest" in July to ruin some friendships.
What Should You Watch For?
I am personally eyeing Steam Scream V in late October. The Halloween sales are usually where you find the best indie horror gems for dirt cheap. Also, keep an eye on that PvE Survival Crafting Fest in late August. That genre is flooded right now, so you know the discounts are going to be aggressive as developers fight for your attention. Start saving your pennies now because 2026 is going to be expensive.
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