9 Days Out — The Biggest PC Gaming Sale of the Year
Valve has confirmed the Steam Summer Sale 2026 dates: the event runs from June 25 at 10:00 AM Pacific (17:00 UTC) through July 9 at the same time — a full two weeks of discounts across thousands of games.
Before the sale starts, Steam Next Fest (June 15–22) is running right now with thousands of free demos. The ideal workflow: demo games now → wishlist your picks → buy on June 25.
Key Dates
| Event | Date / Time |
|---|---|
| Steam Next Fest (free demos) | June 15 – June 22, 2026 |
| Steam Summer Sale Start | June 25, 10:00 AM PT / 17:00 UTC |
| Steam Summer Sale End | July 9, 10:00 AM PT / 17:00 UTC |
"No Flash Deals or Lightning Deals this year — all prices hold steady for the full two weeks from day one to close.
Top 7 Expected Deals
1. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Regular Price | $49.99 |
| Expected Discount | -40% to -50% |
| Expected Sale Price | ~$25–30 |
| Genre | Third-Person Action / Co-op |
| Release Date | September 9, 2024 |
The best co-op game of 2024 and one of the most satisfying launches in years. The solo campaign is excellent, but the three-player Operations mode is where the real action is. Non-Warhammer fans can jump right in.
"Buy on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/2183900
2. Dead Space Remake
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Regular Price | $59.99 |
| Expected Discount | -80% to -85% |
| Expected Sale Price | ~$9–12 |
| Genre | Survival Horror |
| Release Date | January 27, 2023 |
EA's best remake. It hit -80% during the 2025 Summer Sale, and it could drop even further this year. At under $12, this is a no-brainer for any horror fan. Limb-based combat and atmosphere are still unmatched in the genre.
"Buy on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/1693980
3. Cyberpunk 2077
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Regular Price | $29.99 |
| Expected Discount | -65% to -70% |
| Expected Sale Price | ~$9–11 |
| Genre | Open World RPG |
| Release Date | December 2020 (substantially patched) |
Add the Phantom Liberty expansion and you're looking at 200+ hours of content for under $20 combined. CD Projekt RED has turned this into one of the generation's best RPGs. Hit -65% in the 2025 Summer Sale; expect similar or better this year.
"Buy on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/1091500
4. Elden Ring
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Regular Price | $59.99 |
| Expected Discount | -40% |
| Expected Sale Price | ~$36 |
| Genre | Open World Action RPG / Soulslike |
| Release Date | February 25, 2022 |
Metacritic 96. If you've been holding out, the 2026 Summer Sale is your window. The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC is worth bundling at the same time.
"Buy on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/1245620
5. Baldur's Gate 3
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Regular Price | $59.99 |
| Expected Discount | -25% to -30% |
| Expected Sale Price | ~$42–45 |
| Genre | Turn-Based RPG / CRPG |
| Release Date | August 3, 2023 |
Larian's masterpiece. The discount won't be massive, but 200+ hours of exceptional storytelling and co-op design justify the price at any level.
"Buy on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/1086940
6. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Regular Price | $49.99 |
| Expected Discount | -30% to -40% |
| Expected Sale Price | ~$30–35 |
| Genre | Turn-Based JRPG |
| Release Date | April 2025 |
The biggest indie-AA surprise of 2025, scoring Metacritic 90+. Its first Summer Sale discount is highly anticipated.
7. DOOM: The Dark Ages
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Regular Price | $69.99 |
| Expected Discount | -10% to -20% |
| Expected Sale Price | ~$56–63 |
| Genre | FPS / Dark Fantasy |
| Release Date | May 14, 2025 |
Just over a year old, and the Revelations DLC launches July 7 — right after the Summer Sale ends. Great timing to grab the base game before the DLC window. The Premium Edition ($99.99 with DLC) may also see a modest discount.
"Buy on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/3017860
Full Expected Deals Summary
| Game | Regular Price | Expected Discount | Expected Sale Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Space Marine 2 | $49.99 | -40–50% | ~$25–30 |
| Dead Space Remake | $59.99 | -80–85% | ~$9–12 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | $29.99 | -65–70% | ~$9–11 |
| Elden Ring | $59.99 | -40% | ~$36 |
| Baldur's Gate 3 | $59.99 | -25–30% | ~$42–45 |
| Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | $49.99 | -30–40% | ~$30–35 |
| DOOM: The Dark Ages | $69.99 | -10–20% | ~$56–63 |
"All prices are USD estimates. Actual discounts are set by publishers and may differ.
Smart Buying Strategy
1. Build Your Wishlist Now
Add every game you're even mildly interested in to your Steam Wishlist before June 25. You'll receive email notifications when wishlisted games go on sale and can sort your list by discount when the sale opens.
2. Check the Price History
A "-50%" banner isn't always the all-time low. Use SteamDB.info or IsThereAnyDeal.com to compare the sale price against historical lows before buying.
3. Look Beyond the Front Page
The homepage carousel pushes big names. The best value during a Summer Sale is often in mid-tier and indie titles that quietly hit 70–90% off. Sort by genre and filter by tags to find deals that don't make the banner.
4. Use Demo Mode First
Steam Next Fest runs through June 22 — three days before the Summer Sale opens. Use it as a free test lab. Demo a game, add it to the wishlist, and let the notification tell you what it costs on June 25.
5. Bundle the Series
If you like one entry in a franchise, check if a series bundle is discounted. EA, Bethesda, Capcom, and FromSoftware regularly offer deep franchise bundles during major sale events.
GamePeak Verdict
The Steam Summer Sale 2026 arrives after one of the strongest first halves in recent gaming history: DOOM: The Dark Ages, Forza Horizon 6, Clair Obscur, 007 First Light — all candidates for their first notable discounts. Meanwhile, 2023–2024 releases like Dead Space Remake and Space Marine 2 are likely to hit historic lows.
Our top three picks: Dead Space Remake (~$9–12), Cyberpunk 2077 (~$9–11), and Space Marine 2 (~$25–30). Set your alarm for June 25, wishlist early, and check price history before you click buy.