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.
By Domux. Updated 2026-10-03.
Short answer: a major annual Star Citizen showcase is the IAE (Intergalactic Aerospace Expo), expected mid-November to early December. Selected offers and trial ships depend on the announced event terms. Compare the actual checkout price when offers are published. Whenever you buy, paste the referral code 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 | 29 July to 10 August (passed) | New-player focused event and free fly |
| Ship Showdown 2956 | 26 Aug to 2 Sep | Ship popularity contest. The free fly is existing backers only this year |
| IAE (Intergalactic Aerospace Expo) | mid Nov to early Dec (TBA) | The big one: the anniversary sale, selected offers and a trial roster announced by RSI |
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 try the announced trial roster before deciding. More on the IAE.
- Always attach the code. No sale changes this: the referral code adds 50,000 UEC of in-game currency to a new account, on top of any sale price.
Best move: create your account with the referral code now so the bonus is locked in, then buy a Starter Pack during the IAE sale. Sign up at RSI.
Sources and updates
By Domux. Public RSI profile, enlisted 3 January 2016.
Edited 3 October 2026. Prices are USD before tax. Check RSI for current offers and event dates.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next Star Citizen sale?
Compare the announced event offers with current regular prices. A showcase month does not guarantee the lowest price for your chosen package or access to every ship.
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 the referral code at signup for 50,000 UEC on top of the sale price.
What is the best time to buy Star Citizen?
Compare the announced event offers with current regular prices. A showcase month does not guarantee the lowest price for your chosen package or access to every ship.
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 the referral code bonus is the lowest-cost way in.
Ready to claim the 50,000 UEC?
The signup link pre-fills STAR-JTV7-FXLR. RSI advertises the bonus after buying a Game Package. The $40 fresh-money threshold determines the referrer's Recruitment Point. RSI referral conditions
Enlist with code STAR-JTV7-FXLR ✓ Verified referral code · Today: 3 October 2026