Guides
Steam Next Fest 2027 dates and deadlines
DreamEp, founder of NextWishlist · Updated · 3 min read
On this page
Short answerSteam Next Fest February 2027 runs from February 22 to March 1, 2027; registration closes on January 10 and the demo is due by January 18 for the Press Preview. June 2027 runs from June 14 to 21; registration closes on April 25. Dates from Valve's Steamworks pages.
Each Steam Next Fest has a registration deadline, two demo deadlines and a Press Preview. Miss the registration and your game waits four months for the next edition. Here are the dates Valve has published for 2027.
01Steam Next Fest February 2027
February 22 to March 1, 2027, starting and ending at 10:00 AM Pacific time.
- Registration closes · in 73 days
- Demo in for the Press Preview · in 81 days
- Last day to submit the demo · in 95 days
- Press Preview starts · in 105 days
- Next Fest starts · in 116 days
- Next Fest ends · in 123 days
- December 8, 2026: live Q&A with Valve.
- January 10, 2027, 11:59 PM Pacific: registration deadline.
- January 18: submit your demo and store page for review to be live for the Press Preview. Valve also pulls trailers for the official Next Fest trailer that day.
- February 1: everything must be submitted for review.
- February 11, 10:00 AM Pacific: Press Preview starts; last day to opt out of trailer use.
- February 22: set your demo live before the fest starts.
02Steam Next Fest June 2027
June 14 to 21, 2027, starting and ending at 10:00 AM Pacific time.
- April 25, 2027, 11:59 PM Pacific: registration deadline.
- May 10: submit your demo and store page for review to be live for the Press Preview.
- May 24: everything must be submitted for review.
- June 3, 10:00 AM Pacific: Press Preview starts.
Valve hasn't published the October 2027 edition yet.
03All upcoming editions at a glance
The next edition's deadlines, with the days left:
- Registration closes · in 73 days
- Demo in for the Press Preview · in 81 days
- Last day to submit the demo · in 95 days
- Press Preview starts · in 105 days
- Next Fest starts · in 116 days
- Next Fest ends · in 123 days
Every upcoming edition, recalculated every day from Valve's calendar:
| Edition | Fest | Registration closes | Demo for the Press Preview | Demo for the fest start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 2027 | – | |||
| June 2027 | – |
The general rule behind these dates: submit your demo 5 weeks before the fest to be live for the Press Preview, 3 weeks before to be live when the fest starts. Each edition's page can shift them slightly, and the official Steamworks page always wins.
04Who can take part
- Games that have never taken part in a Next Fest: one per game, ever.
- A public store page, a developer account in good standing, and a playable demo by the start.
- The game must not release before the edition ends, and can't be a prologue or short version of a game already on Steam.
Getting ready: how to prepare for Steam Next Fest, and the Next Fest calendar with sales and themed fests.
05Never miss a deadline
NextWishlist places your next Next Fest in your plan, reminds you of each deadline, and tells you whether your wishlists and your demo are ready or whether to aim for the next edition. Join the private beta.
06Your countdown to February 2027
Working back from Valve's published dates for the February 2027 edition:
- Now: Steam page live with a trailer, demo in testing (how to prepare for Steam Next Fest).
- By January 10, 2027: register, pick your categories, and make sure a public trailer is on your page.
- By January 18: demo submitted for review, to be live for the Press Preview.
- February 1 at the latest: demo submitted, to be live when the fest starts.
- From February 11: the Press Preview; creators and press can play your demo (how to get YouTubers to play your game).
- February 22 to March 1: the fest. Days 1 and 2 matter most; plan a second push mid-fest.
Missing registration means waiting four months for June 2027, whose registration closes on April 25.
Steam Next Fest 2027 dates and deadlines: quick answers
When is Steam Next Fest February 2027?
From February 22 to March 1, 2027, starting and ending at 10:00 AM Pacific time.
What is the registration deadline for Steam Next Fest February 2027?
January 10, 2027, at 11:59 PM Pacific time, according to Valve's Steamworks page for the edition.
When is Steam Next Fest June 2027?
From June 14 to 21, 2027. Registration closes on April 25, 2027, at 11:59 PM Pacific time, and the Press Preview starts on June 3.
When do I need to submit my Next Fest demo?
For February 2027, by January 18 to be live for the Press Preview and by February 1 at the latest. For June 2027, by May 10 and May 24.
Sources
Valve's rules can change: the official Steamworks page always wins. Practitioner benchmarks are surveys of developers, given as ranges.
- Valve, Steam Next Fest: February 2027 (Steamworks) (read Oct 28, 2026)
- Valve, Steam Next Fest: June 2027 (Steamworks) (read Oct 28, 2026)
- Valve, Steam Next Fest rules (Steamworks) (read Oct 1, 2026)
- Valve, Upcoming events and sales (Steamworks) (read Oct 1, 2026)
Every Steam deadline, in your plan.
Next Fest, themed fests, sales and discount rules placed on your calendar, with what each event brought to your wishlists. NextWishlist is a Steam marketing tool for indie developers, in private beta.