Great news for Steam players! The first major sale of 2026 — the Steam Spring Sale — is set to kick off on March 19, 2026. At the same time, Valve Corporation has officially released the full schedule of Steam sales for the entire year.
These events include not only the big seasonal sales, but also a variety of themed promotions focused on specific game genres — often offering better deals than regular discounts.
In this guide, we’ve put together the complete 2026 Steam sale calendar, highlighting every key date worth paying attention to. This will help you plan ahead and make smarter purchases.
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What Is a Steam Sale?
Steam Sales are large-scale discount events regularly held on Steam, the digital distribution platform operated by Valve. During these sales, thousands of games are offered at significantly reduced prices, with discounts typically ranging from 10% to 90%. Some lesser-known indie titles can even drop to as low as 90% off.
Steam sales generally fall into three main categories:
Seasonal Major Sales: These take place four times a year — in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. They are the longest events (usually lasting 1 to 2 weeks), feature the widest selection of games, and offer the deepest discounts. Whether you're looking for AAA blockbusters or indie gems, this is the best time to find great deals.
Themed Festivals (Fests): There are over 20 themed events spread throughout the year, each focusing on a specific genre or style of games, such as mystery, horror, or board games. These events usually last about a week. While their scope is narrower, they can be a great opportunity for fans of certain genres to score highly targeted deals — sometimes even better than those in major seasonal sales.
Spotlight Events: These are shorter events (typically lasting 4 to 5 days) that focus on very niche themes, offering a more precise and curated selection of games.
Steam Sales are a great opportunity to grab more games at lower prices, and knowing when they happen can help you plan ahead and make the most of the biggest discounts throughout the year. Check out the full 2026
📅 Steam sale schedule now, browse the latest deals, and get your wishlist ready before the next sale kicks off!
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2026 Steam Sales: Full Calendar & Best Deals
Valve has officially announced the full lineup of Steam sales and themed events for 2026. Below is the complete calendar organized by month. All times are based on Pacific Time (PT), and events typically begin at 10:00 AM PT (or 6:00 PM London time / UTC+0).
January
🔍 January 12 – January 19: Detective Fest
Detective Fest is the first themed event of 2026 on Steam, focusing on mystery and puzzle games. Any title with a “detective” element takes center stage during this event. The festival also features a wide selection of free demos for upcoming releases, allowing players to try out new detective games before they launch.
Featured Deals:
Game Title | Discount | Game Title | Discount | Game Title | Discount |
Detroit: Become Human | -80% | Return of the Obra Dinn | -40% | L.A. Noire | -70% |
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy | -67% | Disco Elysium: The Final Cut | -75% | Tangle Tower | -80% |
Strange Horticulture | -60% | Pathologic 3 | -38% | Kona | -90% |
Call of Cthulhu | -85% | Blue Prince | -34% | Sherlock Holmes: The Persian Carpet Mystery | -90% |
💡 Buying Tips: Detroit: Become Human and Disco Elysium are two standout picks during Detective Fest. The former delivers a cinematic, choice-driven investigation experience, while the latter is widely regarded as one of the deepest detective RPGs ever made. Both are well worth picking up, especially at their lowest prices.
🎲 January 26 – February 2: Board Game Fest
Board Game Fest is designed for players who enjoy tabletop and card games. Digital board games usually come with built-in tutorials, AI opponents, and online multiplayer, making them easy to pick up while allowing you to play with friends or compete against players worldwide. Enhanced visuals, animations, and music also add to the overall experience.
During the event, many titles offer free demos, giving you the chance to try them out before making a purchase. Discounts can go as high as 95% off, making this an excellent opportunity to grab your favorite board games at a great price.
Featured Deals:
Game Title | Discount | Game Title | Discount | Game Title | Discount |
Dune: Imperium | -30% | Monopoly Madness | -75% | The Game of Life 2 | Under $5 |
5D Chess With Multiverse Time Travel | -52% | Tabletopia | DLC up to -50% | Curious Expedition | Under $5 |
💡 Buying Tips: If you and your friends often struggle to find time to play physical board games together, Tabletopia is a great value — a single purchase gives you access to a large library of digital tabletop games. Meanwhile, Dune: Imperium is one of the most well-received strategy board game adaptations in recent years, making it a great pick for fans of the Dune universe.
February (Ongoing Sales)
⌨️ February 5 – February 9: Typing Fest
As the name suggests, Typing Fest focuses on games where typing is the core gameplay mechanic. From typing-based survival roguelikes and horror games to puzzle experiences built around keyboard input, if your gameplay revolves around typing, this is the event for you.
Expected Deals:
Game Title | Discount | Game Title | Discount | Game Title | Discount |
《The Typing of the Dead: Overkill》 | -75% | 《Kind Words 2》 | -50% | 《MORSE》 | -20% |
《DEAD LETTER DEPT.》 | -20% | 《Duskers》 | -50% | 《Glyphica: Typing Survival》 | -30% |
⚔️ February 9 – February 16: PvP Fest
PvP Fest takes place around Valentine’s Day (with February 14 falling right in the middle of the event), and Steam celebrates the occasion in its own unique way — through competition! This festival brings together some of the most popular player-versus-player games from the past decade. From fighting games and shooters to battle royale titles, any game centered around direct player competition is part of the lineup.
During the event, a wide range of free-to-play PvP games are also highlighted, attracting new players with the increased visibility. Popular titles like Overwatch 2, Dota 2, Destiny 2, Apex Legends, and Marvel Rivals are all in the spotlight.
Expected Deals:
Game Title | Discount | Game Title | Discount | Game Title | Discount |
Mortal Kombat 1 | -80% | Marvel Rivals | Free | Dota 2 | Free |
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 | -35% | Overwatch 2 | Free | Apex Legends | Free |
🐎 February 19 – February 23: Horse Fest
2026 happens to be the Year of the Horse in the Lunar calendar, and Valve is embracing the theme with this special spotlight event. Lasting just four days, Horse Fest focuses on all things horse-related — from horseback adventures and ranch management to horse racing and Wild West experiences.
Expected Deals:
Game Title | Discount | Game Title | Discount |
Red Dead Redemption 2 | Expected discount | My Horse series | On sale |
Rival Stars Horse Racing | On sale | Petz Horsez 2 | -85% |
🎮 February 23 – March 2: Steam Next Fest (February Edition)
Steam Next Fest is a special event held three times a year (in February, June, and October). Unlike regular sales, it focuses less on discounts and more on offering free demos for upcoming games. During the event, hundreds of in-development titles make their demos available, allowing players to try them out for free, watch developer livestreams, and interact directly with the creators.
Demos Included in the Official Trailer:
💡 Tips: Add any demos you’re interested in to your wishlist during Next Fest. When those games are officially released or featured in a future sale, you’ll get notified of price drops — making this one of the most efficient ways to snag great deals later on.
March
🛡️ March 9 – March 16: Tower Defense Fest
Tower Defense Fest focuses on strategy games built around defensive gameplay. Players must construct towers, traps, and fortifications across the map to hold back endless waves of enemies.
Tower defense games are typically affordable and offer high replay value, making them one of the best genres in terms of cost-performance. During the event, discounts usually range from 60% to 90% off.
Expected Deals (Based on Previous Years):
Game Title | Expected Discount | Game Title | Expected Discount | Game Title | Expected Discount |
Kingdom Rush series | -50% to -80% | Factorio | -20% to -30% | Defense Grid 2 | -75% to -90% |
Bloons TD 6 | -40% to -60% | They Are Billions | -60% to -75% | Dungeon Warfare 2 | -60% to -80% |
💡 Buying Tips: The Kingdom Rush series is a benchmark for tower defense games on both mobile and PC. If you’ve played it on mobile, the Steam version often comes with deeper discounts. They Are Billions is one of the most creative tower defense titles in recent years, blending post-apocalyptic survival with classic defense mechanics in a unique way.
🌱 March 19 – March 26: Steam Spring Sale 2026 ⭐
The Steam Spring Sale is the first major seasonal promotion of 2026, lasting about a week and covering almost every genre on the platform. While it’s shorter than the massive Summer and Winter Sales, the discounts are still highly competitive.
💡 Buying Tips: Before the sale begins, organize your wishlist and keep an eye on big titles released in late 2025 to see if they receive their first discounts. Valve’s own games — such as Portal, Half-Life, and Left 4 Dead — are also heavily discounted during major sales, making it a great opportunity to complete your classic game collection.
🏡 March 30 – April 6: House & Home Fest
House & Home Fest covers all kinds of games centered around building, decorating, and cozy living. This includes construction simulators, interior design, home management, city builders, and relaxing life-simulation games. If you enjoy slowly creating your own dream home or world, this is the perfect event for you.
Expected Deals (Based on Previous Years):
Game Title | Game Title | Game Title |
Minecraft | House Flipper series | Cozy Grove |
Stardew Valley | Townscaper | Dinkum |
April
🔍 April 9 – April 13: Hidden Object Fest (Spotlight Event)
Hidden Object Fest focuses on “find the difference” and hidden-object puzzle games. Players are challenged to spot hidden items, clues, or anomalies within detailed and complex scenes. These games are typically relaxing, visually rich, and suitable for players of all ages.
Expected Deals (Based on Previous Years):
Game Title | Expected Discount |
Unforeseen Incidents | -60% to -80% |
Enigmatis series | -70% to -90% |
Nancy Drew series | -70% to -90% |
🏰 April 20 – April 27: Medieval Fest
Medieval Fest covers all games set in the Middle Ages — from knightly battles and castle sieges to peasant survival and kingdom management. Any game set in a world of swords and magic falls within this theme. It’s a diverse event spanning multiple genres, including strategy, RPG, action, and simulation, so there’s something for every type of player.
Expected Deals (Based on Previous Years):
Game Title | Expected Discount | Game Title | Expected Discount |
Ash of Gods: Redemption | -60% to -80% | Kingdom Come: Deliverance series | -50% to -70% |
Crusader Kings III | -40% to -60% | Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord | -40% to -60% |
May
🃏 May 4 – May 11: Deckbuilders Fest
Deckbuilders Fest is a relatively new themed event that emerged alongside the rapid rise of roguelike deck-building games. It focuses on titles where building and refining a card deck is the core gameplay mechanic. Players gradually construct and optimize their decks throughout a run, creating powerful combos and synergies.
Expected Deals (Based on Previous Years):
Game Title | Expected Discount | Game Title | Expected Discount | Game Title | Expected Discount |
Slay the Spire | -50% to -75% | Balatro | -25% to -50% | Across the Obelisk | -50% to -70% |
Slay the Spire 2 | New release (discount TBD) | Monster Train | -60% to -80% | Inscryption | -50% to -70% |
💡 Buying Tips: Inscryption is one of the most creative deck-building games in recent years. Without spoilers, its narrative depth goes far beyond typical card games — highly recommended. Balatro, a breakout hit of 2024, may receive its first major discount during this event, making it worth waiting for.
🌊 May 18 – May 25: Ocean Fest
Ocean Fest highlights games centered around the sea, underwater worlds, sailing, and ships. From deep-sea exploration and diving adventures to sailing simulations, pirate stories, and marine ecosystem experiences, the event covers a wide range of themes. For players who love ocean and maritime settings, this is one of the best opportunities of the year to find great deals.
Expected Deals (Based on Previous Years):
Game Title | Expected Discount | Game Title | Expected Discount |
Subnautica series | -50% to -75% | Sea of Thieves | -40% to -60% |
Subnautica: Below Zero | -50% to -75% | Dave the Diver | -30% to -50% |
Dredge | -40% to -60% | SOMA | -70% to -85% |
June
🔫 June 8 – June 15: Bullet Hell Fest (Bullet Fest)
Bullet Hell Fest (also known as “Bullet Fest”) focuses on bullet hell shooters — a genre defined by screens filled with dense waves of bullets or obstacles. Players must skillfully dodge incoming patterns while finding openings to survive and fight back.
Expected Deals (Based on Previous Years):
Game Title | Expected Discount | Game Title | Expected Discount |
Vampire Survivors | -40% to -60% | Cuphead | -40% to -60% |
Touhou series | -40% to -60% | Enter the Gungeon | -60% to -80% |
🎮 June 15 – June 22: Steam Next Fest – June Edition (Next Fest: June 2026)
Similar to the February edition, Steam Next Fest in June focuses on free demos rather than discounts. What makes this edition special is its timing — it takes place right before the biggest sale of the year, the Summer Sale. Both developers and players use this period to build hype, and many upcoming titles for late 2026 make their first appearance. Players can try demos in advance to decide which games are worth picking up during the Summer Sale.
☀️ June 25 – July 9: Steam Summer Sale 2026 ⭐⭐
The Steam Summer Sale is the largest, longest, and most heavily discounted event of the year — the ultimate shopping festival for gamers. Lasting around two weeks, thousands of games go on sale at the same time. Whether you’re looking for new releases or classic titles, this is when you’ll often find the biggest discounts of the year.
Indie games frequently drop to 90% off or even lower, while AAA titles are commonly discounted by 50% or more. Older classics often reach their all-time low prices. The Summer Sale is also the best time for Steam Points Shop rewards, with exclusive items, badges, and avatars available through event participation.
💡 Buying Tips: Before the sale begins, add all the games you’re interested in to your wishlist. Once the sale starts, prioritize purchases based on your list and compare historical low prices using tools like SteamDB. Avoid buying everything on day one — waiting a day or two may reveal additional discounts or adjustments. While Summer Sale prices are usually already at their lowest, occasional surprise deals can still appear.
July
🕵️ July 13 – July 16: Social Deduction Fest (Spotlight Event)
Social Deduction Fest is a short spotlight event lasting just 3 to 4 days, focusing on “who is the impostor” style games. Players must deceive, observe, and vote to eliminate others, with the goal of identifying hidden traitors — or secretly achieving their own objectives without getting caught.
Expected Deals (Based on Previous Years):
Game Title | Expected Discount | Game Title | Expected Discount |
Among Us | -40% to -60% | Town of Salem series | -40% to -60% |
Secret Neighbor | -50% to -70% | Deceit | Free or discounted |
🚂 July 20 – July 27: Train Fest
Train Fest is a niche but unique themed event dedicated to railway and train-related games. From highly detailed train operation simulators and model railway builders to train-centered adventure games, it’s a must-see event for train enthusiasts and simulation fans. Discounts often cover some of the most in-depth railway simulation titles available on Steam.
Expected Deals (Based on Previous Years):
Game Title | Expected Discount | Game Title | Expected Discount |
Transport Fever 2 | -40% to -60% | Railroads Online | -30% to -50% |
Mini Metro | -50% to -70% | Train Sim World series | -50% to -75% |
August
🤖 August 3 – August 10: Cyberpunk Fest
Cyberpunk Fest focuses on games built around the “high-tech, low-life” cyberpunk aesthetic. Cyberpunk 2077 and its expansion, Phantom Liberty, are naturally the main highlights, but many indie titles with cyberpunk themes also go on sale during the event.
Expected Deals (Based on Previous Years):
Game Title | Expected Discount | Game Title | Expected Discount | Game Title | Expected Discount |
Cyberpunk 2077 + Phantom Liberty Bundle | -40% to -60% | VA-11 Hall-A | -50% to -70% | Ghostrunner series | -50% to -75% |
Cloudpunk | -70% to -80% (under ¥10) | Observer | -70% to -85% | Dex | -70% to -85% |
💡 Buying Tips: If you haven’t picked up the complete version of Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberpunk Fest is often one of the best times of the year to get it at a deep discount — especially the bundle with the DLC. Cloudpunk can drop to extremely low prices during the event, making it a must-buy for cyberpunk fans.
📌 August 17 – August 20: Pins & Pegs Fest (Spotlight Event)
Pins & Pegs Fest is one of the most mysterious and intriguing spotlight events of 2026. With its unusual name and short duration (around 3 days), it’s not entirely clear what the theme will be. Based on the name, it may focus on puzzle games — as “pins” and “pegs” are often associated with spatial and logic-based challenges — or casual games involving darts, board pins, and similar mechanics.
🪓 August 31 – September 7: PvE Survival Crafting Fest
PvE Survival Crafting Fest focuses on survival games where players face environmental challenges rather than competing against other players. These games often feature gathering, building, and crafting systems. It’s one of the most popular genres on PC, spanning sandbox survival, horror survival, farming sims, and post-apocalyptic rebuilding.
Expected Deals (Based on Previous Years):
Game Title | Expected Discount | Game Title | Expected Discount | Game Title | Expected Discount |
ARK: Survival Evolved series | -60% to -80% | The Long Dark | -50% to -75% | Valheim | -40% to -60% |
Green Hell | -50% to -70% | Don't Starve Together | -50% to -75% | Grounded | -40% to -60% |
September
💻 September 10 – September 14: Coding / Programming Fest (Spotlight Event)
Programming Fest is one of the most niche yet highly popular spotlight events among programmers. It focuses on games where coding, logic, or algorithms are the core gameplay mechanics. In these titles, players write code to control actions, solve puzzles, or build automated systems. Although the event lasts only four days, it’s a true highlight for developers and logic enthusiasts.
Expected Deals (Based on Previous Years):
Game Title | Expected Discount | Game Title | Expected Discount | Game Title | Expected Discount |
SHENZHEN I/O | -50% to -70% | Human Resource Machine | -60% to -80% | Opus Magnum | -50% to -70% |
TIS-100 | -50% to -70% | 7 Billion Humans | -60% to -80% | Hacknet | -70% to -90% |
🎲 September 14 – September 21: Party-Based RPG Fest
Party-Based RPG Fest highlights role-playing games centered around managing a team of characters. This includes classic CRPGs (computer role-playing games), tactical RPGs, and adventure titles with deep party management systems. Players typically recruit, develop, and coordinate a diverse group of characters, combining different skills and classes in combat. This is the perfect event for fans of genre-defining titles like Baldur’s Gate and Divinity: Original Sin.
Expected Deals (Based on Previous Years):
Game Title | Expected Discount | Game Title | Expected Discount |
Baldur’s Gate 3 | -30% to -50% | Pillars of Eternity series | -60% to -80% |
Divinity: Original Sin 2 | -50% to -75% | Wasteland 3 | -60% to -75% |
October
🍂 October 1 – October 8: Steam Autumn Sale 2026 ⭐
The Autumn Sale is the third major seasonal sale of 2026, lasting about a week and covering all game genres. Its scale sits between the Summer and Winter Sales. For many players in Asia, it aligns with the National Day holiday, making it an ideal time to shop. With around two and a half months before the Winter Sale, this is often the last chance to decide whether to buy games now or wait for potentially better deals later.
💡 Buying Tips: The 2026 Autumn Sale comes after several themed events such as the PvE Survival Crafting Fest, Social Deduction Fest, Train Fest, and Cyberpunk Fest. If you found games you were interested in during those events but the discounts weren’t deep enough, the Autumn Sale often offers better deals.
🍳 October 12 – October 19: Cooking Fest
Cooking Fest focuses on games centered around cooking, restaurant management, and food creation. From fast-paced restaurant simulations to relaxing cooking adventures and even card-based culinary strategy games, the event covers both casual and hardcore experiences.
Expected Deals (Based on Previous Years):
Game Title | Expected Discount |
Overcooked! series | -60% to -80% |
Cook, Serve, Delicious! series | -60% to -80% |
Chef: A Restaurant Tycoon Game | -40% to -60% |
🎮 October 19 – October 26: Steam Next Fest – October Edition (Next Fest: October 2026)
The third Steam Next Fest of the year arrives just before Halloween, serving as a warm-up for the holiday release season. This edition typically showcases many upcoming titles set to launch in late 2026 or early 2027, making it a final opportunity for players to refine their wishlist before the biggest shopping season of the year.
👻 October 26 – November 2: Steam Scream Fest V (Halloween Sale)
Steam Scream Fest is Steam’s Halloween-themed event and the best time of the year to buy horror games. During this period, horror, thriller, and survival horror titles receive some of their deepest discounts.
Expected Deals (Based on Previous Years):
Game Title | Expected Discount | Game Title | Expected Discount |
Silent Hill 2 Remake | -25% to -40% | Resident Evil series | -50% to -75% |
Outlast series | -60% to -80% | Phasmophobia | -40% to -60% |
Amnesia series | -70% to -85% | SOMA | -75% to -85% |
Doki Doki Literature Club! | Free | Little Nightmares series | -60% to -80% |
💡 Buying Tips: Steam Scream Fest is the best time of the year for horror fans. Titles like the Outlast and Amnesia series often reach discounts of 80% or more, with their historical lowest prices typically appearing during Halloween. Phasmophobia is especially fun to play with friends, and the increased player activity during the event makes the multiplayer experience even better.
November
🤖 November 16 – November 23: Auto Battler RPG Fest
Auto Battler RPG Fest is designed for strategy-focused players. It highlights games in the auto battler (or auto chess) genre, as well as RPGs that emphasize automated combat and character progression. Instead of manually controlling every battle, players focus on team composition, stat growth, and long-term strategy.
Expected Deals (Based on Previous Years):
Game Title | Expected Discount | Game Title | Expected Discount |
Teamfight Tactics | Free-to-play | Super Auto Pets | Low-price discount |
Hades series | -40% to -60% | Dota Auto Chess | Free or discounted |
🖤 Late November: Black Friday Sale
Valve has not yet announced the exact dates for the 2026 Black Friday Sale, but based on past trends, it typically takes place around the last Thursday of November (Thanksgiving). Unlike themed events, Black Friday does not have a dedicated festival page — instead, traffic is directed to the “Special Offers” section, highlighting participating games.
Some titles offer exclusive Black Friday discounts, while others may drop to lower prices compared to earlier in the month.
💡 Buying Tips: The Black Friday Sale is smaller in scale than the four major seasonal sales. Since the Winter Sale is only about 3 to 4 weeks later, it’s often worth waiting if you’re not in a rush — Winter Sale discounts are usually deeper, with a wider selection of games.
December
❄️ December 17 – January 4: Steam Winter Sale 2026 ⭐⭐⭐
The Steam Winter Sale is the longest major sale of the year (lasting around three weeks) and offers the most festive atmosphere, spanning both Christmas and New Year. For many players, this is when the largest portion of their annual gaming budget is spent. It’s not only a great time to buy games, but also the perfect season to purchase Steam gift cards or send games as gifts to friends.
During the Winter Sale, the Steam Points Shop features exclusive seasonal items, and the annual Steam Awards (including categories like Game of the Year) take place, with winners voted on by the community. Discount levels are comparable to the Summer Sale, making this the final opportunity of the year to stock up on games.
💡 Buying Tips: The Winter Sale is your last big chance of the year to grab great deals. It’s a good idea to review your wishlist and identify any “missed opportunities” — games you didn’t buy during the Spring, Summer, or Autumn Sales because the discounts weren’t deep enough. During the Winter Sale, many of these titles reach their lowest prices of the year. Since the sale usually runs into early January, it’s also a perfect time to catch up on your backlog during the holiday season.
Why Are Steam Sales So Popular?
Steam sales are so popular primarily because they help players save money. Similar to subscription services like Netflix pricing plans or Spotify vs Apple Music comparison, smart planning can significantly reduce costs.
As one of the largest PC gaming platforms in the world, Steam has over 130 million monthly active users. The platform continues to grow rapidly, with an average of around 28 new games released every day, offering players an endless stream of choices.
However, with such a vast selection of games, buying everything at full price can quickly become expensive. Popular titles typically range from $20 to $60, and for active players, these costs can add up fast.
That’s where Steam sales come in. During major discount events, many games see significant price drops — sometimes down to $5 to $30 or even lower. This allows players to expand their game libraries at a fraction of the usual cost.
In addition, limited-time deals and wishlist notifications create a sense of urgency, encouraging players to take advantage of discounts before they disappear.
As a result, more and more players choose to wait for these sales, making Steam sales one of the most anticipated events in the gaming world.
Steam Sale Rewards: What Can You Get?
Steam sales aren’t just about buying games — they also come with extra reward systems that make your purchases more valuable and engaging.
Earn Steam Points
Every purchase on Steam earns you points (roughly 100 points per 1 RMB spent, or the equivalent in your local currency). These points can be redeemed in the Steam Points Shop for various virtual items, including:
Animated avatars
Avatar frames
Mini-profile backgrounds
Chat stickers and emojis
In-game items
During major sales — especially the Summer and Winter Sales — Valve also releases limited-time seasonal items that are only available during the event. Once the sale ends, these exclusive rewards are gone.
Collect Trading Cards
While playing games on Steam, you can randomly receive trading cards. Completing a full set allows you to craft a badge, which rewards you with:
Experience points (to level up your Steam account)
Coupons
Chat emojis
Profile backgrounds
You can also trade or sell these cards on the Steam Marketplace for wallet funds. Since games are cheaper during sales, collecting cards becomes more cost-effective — making it a great time for collectors to build their sets.
Level Up & Unlock Benefits
By crafting badges or completing certain achievements, you can increase your Steam level. Higher levels come with several benefits, such as:
Increased friend list capacity
More profile showcase slots
Higher account trust level
Better visibility in certain community features
For dedicated Steam users, sales are the perfect time to buy games, farm cards, and level up efficiently.
In short, Steam sales not only let you buy games at lower prices, but also provide additional value through points, trading cards, and leveling systems. By taking full advantage of these features, you can get much more out of your spending.
Steam Sale Tips: How to Save Money
While Steam sales offer huge discounts, it’s easy to end up buying games that aren’t truly worth the price — or overspending due to impulse purchases if you don’t have a clear strategy.
To help you shop smarter and spend less, here are five practical tips — from evaluating prices to optimizing your buying strategy — so you can get the most value out of every purchase.
Check Price History Before You Buy
A “30% off” tag on Steam doesn’t always mean it’s the best deal. Some games may have been discounted more deeply in the past. Before purchasing, it’s important to check the price history using these tools:
SteamDB: Simply search for a game to view its full price history chart and quickly see whether the current discount is close to its all-time low.
IsThereAnyDeal: A cross-platform price comparison tool that tracks prices across Steam, Epic Games, GOG, and more, helping you find the best deal available.
👉 Pro Tip: If the current price is still higher than its historical low, consider waiting for a better deal — especially during major seasonal sales.
Use the Refund Policy Wisely
Steam offers a solid refund policy: you can request a refund within 14 days of purchase, as long as your playtime is under 2 hours — no explanation required. This is a powerful safety net if used properly.
It helps reduce the risk of buying the wrong game:
Refund if you’re not satisfied
Treat it as a “trial period” before deciding
👉 Tip: Avoid abusing the refund system too frequently, as it may affect your account standing.
Look for Bundles
Many publishers (especially Capcom, Paradox, and Square Enix) release bundle deals during sales, combining the base game with all DLCs at a significantly lower price than buying them separately.
If you’re interested in a game series but haven’t bought it yet, bundles are often the best value during sales. On the other hand, if you already own the base game, make sure to compare bundle prices before buying DLCs individually — sometimes the bundle is still cheaper, and you may end up paying more than necessary.
Get Steam Games for Less on GamsGo
While Steam sales already offer great discounts, heavy gamers often look for additional ways to save even more.
Beyond official promotions, some players turn to third-party platforms for more affordable options, such as shared or pre-owned game accounts. For example, GamsGo offers a variety of Steam account options, often priced lower than the official store — and without the need to wait for seasonal sales. This makes it a practical choice for players who want to access more games at a lower cost.
If you're comparing different platforms, it’s also worth checking a detailed GamsGo review to better understand pricing, safety, and real user experience.
For instance, even during official discounts, some popular titles may still cost around $45.49 on Steam, while similar access options on platforms like GamsGo can be available for around $32.99.
In addition, GamsGo provides access to other game accounts, such as PUBG MOBILE accounts and Wuthering Waves accounts, catering to different gaming needs.
👉 If you’re looking to reduce your gaming costs beyond Steam sales, platforms like this can serve as a supplementary option — just choose based on your needs and preferences.
How to Use Your Steam Wishlist to Save Money
The Steam Wishlist is one of the most powerful — yet often underrated — features in the Steam ecosystem. When used effectively, it allows you to make targeted purchases during sales instead of randomly browsing through endless discounts.
The core function of the wishlist is price alerts: whenever a game you’ve added goes on sale, Steam will automatically send you an email notification, so you don’t have to constantly check and still won’t miss any deals.
Here’s how to get the most out of your wishlist:
Organize Your Wishlist in Advance: About a week before each major sale, review and clean up your wishlist. Remove games you’re no longer interested in and keep only the titles you truly want. This helps you make quick decisions once the sale begins, without getting distracted by an overly long list.
Prioritize Your Wishlist: Steam allows you to sort your wishlist. Put the games you want most — or have been waiting for the longest — at the top. If your budget is limited during a sale, start from the top of your list.
Use Your Wishlist as a Filter: When you try a demo during events like Steam Next Fest and find a game interesting but not urgent, add it to your wishlist. You’ll be notified when it goes on sale, making it much easier than trying to remember it later.
Compare Prices Across Platforms: Tools like IsThereAnyDeal let you import your Steam wishlist and track price changes across Steam, Epic Games, GOG, and other platforms, ensuring you always get the lowest price.
Keep Your Wishlist Manageable: If your wishlist grows too large, you’ll receive too many notifications during sales, which can lead to information overload. Try to keep it to around 20–30 games you genuinely want to play, so you can make faster and smarter decisions.
Best Games to Buy During Steam Sale 2026
Here are some of the best types of games to add to your wishlist and wait for discounts during the 2026 Steam sales:
Late 2025 AAA Releases (First Major Discount)
Big AAA titles released at the end of 2025 often receive their first significant discounts during the Spring Sale in March 2026.
For players who prefer to wait instead of buying at launch, this is the ideal time to jump in — prices are typically 30% to 50% lower than the original launch price.
Cyberpunk Games (August – Cyberpunk Fest)
During Cyberpunk Fest in August, games with cyberpunk themes often receive deep discounts.
Cyberpunk 2077 and its expansion, Phantom Liberty, are usually among the highlights, making this one of the best opportunities to pick up the complete edition. Indie titles like Cloudpunk may also drop to very low prices during the event.
Horror Games (October – Steam Scream Fest)
The Steam Scream Fest in October is the best time of the year for horror fans.
Popular titles such as Silent Hill 2 Remake and the Outlast series often receive significant discounts, and bundle deals are common — making it the perfect opportunity to build your horror game collection.
Winter Sale Must-Buy List (December)
The Winter Sale is one of the biggest discount events of the year and a great time to stock up on games.
It’s also the perfect season for gifting games to friends — or treating yourself as a year-end reward. To make the most of it, add all the games you want to your wishlist in advance, then check out your list once the sale begins in mid-December.
When Is the Next Steam Sale?
As of February 24, 2026, the next major Steam event is the Spring Sale, which will run from March 19 to March 26, 2026. With less than a month to go, now is the perfect time to add the games you want to your wishlist so you can receive instant notifications when discounts go live.
Before the Spring Sale begins, there are also a few smaller themed events to look out for:
Steam Next Fest – February Edition (already live from February 23)
Tower Defense Fest (March 9 – March 16)
Planning ahead will help you take full advantage of upcoming deals and avoid missing out on limited-time discounts.
Conclusion
Steam’s 2026 sale lineup is more diverse than ever. From the Detective Fest in January to the Winter Sale in December, more than 25 events are spread throughout the year, giving players continuous opportunities to save.
For most players, the four key moments to watch are still the major seasonal sales: the Spring Sale (March), Summer Sale (late June), Autumn Sale (October), and Winter Sale (December). Planning your purchases around these events is usually enough to get most games at significantly lower prices.
Beyond waiting for official discounts, if you want to save money even outside of sale periods, you can also explore more flexible options. For example, some players choose platforms like GamsGo to buy Steam accounts at lower costs, using them as a supplementary option alongside official sales to reduce spending throughout the year.
Whether you rely on sale timing or combine different purchasing methods, smart planning can help you enjoy more games while spending less. 🎁 For users who choose GamsGo, we’ve prepared a special gift for you:
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FAQ
What's the biggest Steam sale?
The Summer Sale and Winter Sale are Steam's biggest events. The Summer Sale offers slightly deeper discounts (~66.63% avg) vs Winter Sale (~57.52%), but the Winter Sale generates higher overall revenue and purchase volume.
Does Steam take a 30% cut?
Yes, the standard revenue share is 30%. However, once a game’s cumulative revenue exceeds $10 million, Valve reduces its cut on that portion to 25%. When revenue surpasses $50 million, the share is further reduced to 20%.
Will Steam have a Black Friday sale in 2026?
Yes. Valve has confirmed in its 2026 annual event calendar that Black Friday will be included. According to the official description, Steam plans to direct platform traffic to the “Special Offers” hub in late November, highlighting games participating in Black Friday discounts. The exact dates and format have yet to be announced.
How many days is the Steam sale?
Different types of Steam sales vary significantly in duration:
Sale Type | Duration |
Summer Sale / Winter Sale | 14 to 18 days |
Spring Sale / Autumn Sale | 7 days |
Themed Fests (e.g., Cyberpunk Fest, Ocean Fest) | 7 days |
Spotlight Events (e.g., Typing Fest, Horse Fest) | 4 to 5 days |
Steam Next Fest | 7 days |
In 2026, the Winter Sale (December 17 to January 4) lasts about 18 days, making it the longest event of the year. The Summer Sale (June 25 to July 9) runs for around 14 days.
Do sales really save you money?
Yes, Steam sale discounts are genuine. The Summer Sale, for example, typically offers an average discount of over 66%. Indie games often see reductions of 80% to 90%, and classic titles frequently reach their all-time lowest prices during major sales.
What is the best time to buy games on Steam?
It depends on the game’s release timeline:
< 6 months: Rarely see deep discounts. AAA games usually get their first 25%–35% off during the next major sale.
1–2 years: Best discount period, often 50%–75% off in both themed and seasonal sales.
3+ years: Frequently hit all-time lows; themed events can offer even better deals than major sales.
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