Steam Next Fest October 2026: Dates, Deadlines and Prep Checklist
Steam Next Fest runs Oct 19-26, 2026. Work the tasks that decide how the fest goes: registration, demo build, store page, trailer and the wishlist prompt. The countdown below tracks every deadline, and the checklist flags what is due when.
Dates are Valve's published schedule, not estimates. Full deadline breakdown, including demo and asset due dates.
No upcoming Next Fest scheduled
What is Steam Next Fest?
Steam Next Fest is a week-long celebration of upcoming games where developers can showcase playable demos and host livestreams. It's one of the most powerful visibility opportunities for unreleased games on Steam.
Features during Next Fest:
- Free playable demos for upcoming games
- Developer livestreams on Steam
- Increased visibility in Steam's storefront
- Community feedback on your demo
- Press and streamer attention
Steam Next Fest Schedule
Steam Next Fest runs three times a year. Every date below is read from the edition’s own page in Valve’s Steamworks documentation, never counted back from the opening, and an edition Valve has not published a deadline for says so instead of guessing.
February 2026 Next Fest - February 23, 2026 to March 2, 2026, opening and closing at 10am Pacific. Valve has not published this edition’s interim deadlines; check Steamworks for the exact day. This fest has concluded.
June 2026 Next Fest - June 15, 2026 to June 22, 2026, opening and closing at 10am Pacific. Valve has not published this edition’s interim deadlines; check Steamworks for the exact day. This fest has concluded.
October 2026 Next Fest - October 19, 2026 to October 26, 2026, opening and closing at 10am Pacific. This is the edition the countdown above is running on. Registration closed August 31, 2026 at 11:59pm Pacific. Steam pulls trailers for the official fest trailer on September 8. Your demo build and store page must be submitted for review by September 14 to be live for the Press Preview, and all required items are due September 28. The Press Preview starts October 8.
February 2027 Next Fest - February 22, 2027 to March 1, 2027, opening and closing at 10am Pacific. Registration closes January 10, 2027 at 11:59pm Pacific. Steam pulls trailers for the official fest trailer on January 18. Your demo build and store page must be submitted for review by January 25 to be live for the Press Preview, and all required items are due February 8. The Press Preview starts February 11.
June 2027 Next Fest - June 14, 2027 to June 21, 2027, opening and closing at 10am Pacific. Registration closes April 25, 2027 at 11:59pm Pacific. Steam pulls trailers for the official fest trailer on May 3. Your demo build and store page must be submitted for review by May 17 to be live for the Press Preview, and all required items are due May 31. The Press Preview starts June 3.
There is no fixed gap between the registration deadline and the opening, so do not count backwards from a fest date to find one. Measured across the editions Valve has published: October 2026: 49 days, February 2027: 43 days and June 2027: 50 days. Take each edition’s deadline from its own Steamworks page.
These dates are here so you can plan against them. The reference versions, with sources and every interim deadline, live in our Steam Next Fest October 2026 dates and deadlines guide and the Steam Next Fest 2026 dates hub covering all three editions. For a full calendar of all Steam events, see our Steam Sale Calendar.
Next Fest Preparation Checklist
Prepare for the next event
Submit your registration through Steamworks before the deadline
Create a polished, bug-free demo showcasing your best content
Update capsule, screenshots, and description for maximum impact
Include a clear call-to-action at the end of your demo
Ensure your trailer reflects current gameplay and hooks viewers
Track demo downloads, completion rates, and conversion
Schedule multiple streams at different times during the fest
Have assets, key info, and contact ready for press/streamers
Prepare daily posts for Twitter, Discord, and other platforms
Let existing followers know the demo is coming
Have responses ready for common questions and issues
Put a date on the 11 items you have left
Tick off what is already done, then we will email the rest as a schedule: each remaining item on the date it is actually due, counted back from the fest.
- Every item you have not ticked, with the date it is due
- Dates counted back from the fest, with anything already overdue marked
Demo Optimization Tips
Make your demo convert players into wishlisters
Lead With Your Best
Your demo doesn't have to be the first level. Show players your most engaging content first.
20-40 Minutes Sweet Spot
Long enough to hook players, short enough they'll actually finish and want more.
End on a Cliffhanger
Stop at a compelling moment that makes players need to know what happens next.
Test on Fresh Eyes
Have someone unfamiliar with your game play the demo. Watch where they get stuck.
Polish Over Features
A polished 30-minute demo beats a buggy 2-hour one. Quality over quantity.
Track Everything
Use analytics to understand where players quit, struggle, or succeed.
Historical Next Fest Dates
Pattern: February, June, October each year
Success Metrics
Good performance threshold
% of demo players who wishlist
Target completion rate
Of expected demo length
Is Your Page Ready?
Optimize your Coming Soon page before the fest for maximum wishlist conversions.
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