When is Star Citizen on sale, and when should you buy?
The biggest sale is the IAE in November. Here is the calendar, and how to actually save.
Short answer: the biggest and best Star Citizen sale is the IAE (Intergalactic Aerospace Expo), expected mid-November to early December. It is the year's deepest discount window and every ship is free to test. If you can wait, buy then. Whenever you buy, paste STAR-JTV7-FXLR at signup for 50,000 UEC of free in-game currency, same price either way.
Star Citizen does not run percent-off coupon codes (the aggregator ones are fake), but it does run real event sales through the year. Here is the 2026 calendar and the honest "when should I buy" answer.
The Star Citizen sales calendar (2026)
| Event | Window | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Invictus Launch Week | 14 to 27 May (passed) | Military showcase plus a free fly |
| Foundation Festival | July (TBA) | New-player focused event and free fly |
| IAE (Intergalactic Aerospace Expo) | mid Nov to early Dec (TBA) | The big one: the anniversary sale, deepest discounts, every ship free to fly |
Exact 2026 dates are only final when RSI posts the Comm-Link. The IAE is the largest, and it is the one worth waiting for.
What about Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
The IAE runs across late November into early December, so it doubles as the Star Citizen Black Friday and Cyber Monday window. There is no separate, bigger Black Friday sale to hold out for, the IAE is it. That is also why "anniversary sale" and "IAE" mean the same event.
How to actually save (plus the one free bonus)
- Buy the cheapest qualifying pack. The Citizen Starter Pack at $45 is the lowest entry point any time of year.
- Time it to the IAE. During the event some packs and standalone ships are discounted further, and you can fly every ship free first to decide. More on the IAE.
- Always attach the code. No sale changes this: STAR-JTV7-FXLR adds 50,000 UEC of in-game currency to a new account, on top of any sale price.
Best move: create your account with STAR-JTV7-FXLR now so the bonus is locked in, then buy a Starter Pack during the IAE sale. Sign up at RSI.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next Star Citizen sale?
The next major one is the IAE, expected mid-November to early December 2026 (exact dates confirm when RSI posts the Comm-Link). It is the biggest sale of the year, with the deepest discounts and every ship free to test. Attach STAR-JTV7-FXLR whenever you buy for 50,000 UEC.
Is there a Star Citizen Black Friday sale?
The IAE runs across late November into early December, so it doubles as the Black Friday and Cyber Monday window. There is no separate larger sale, the IAE is the big one. Use STAR-JTV7-FXLR at signup for 50,000 UEC on top of the sale price.
What is the best time to buy Star Citizen?
During the IAE in November, the year's biggest sale, when packs and ships are discounted and every ship is free to try first. If you do not want to wait, the Citizen Starter Pack at $45 is the cheapest entry any time. Either way, use STAR-JTV7-FXLR for 50,000 UEC.
Does Star Citizen go on sale?
Yes. There are no percent-off coupon codes, but real event sales run during Invictus (May) and especially the IAE (November). Game Packages and standalone ships get discounted. The cheapest qualifying pack plus the STAR-JTV7-FXLR bonus is the lowest-cost way in.
Ready to claim the 50,000 UEC?
One click pre-fills STAR-JTV7-FXLR into the RSI signup form. Finish the account, buy a $40 or larger Game Package, the bonus is yours.
Enlist with code STAR-JTV7-FXLR