Steam Next Fest demo checklist

Steam Next Fest requires a publicly playable demo and an eligible upcoming game. A working demo on its own is not enough to take part.

October 2026 dates

The event runs from October 19 at 10:00 AM PDT (UTC-7) to October 26 at 10:00 AM PDT (UTC-7).

Registration closed on August 31 at 11:59 PM PDT, and the deadline to submit all required items for review was September 28. The press preview began on October 8 at 10:00 AM PDT. Registered participants must have their demos live before October 19 at 10:00 AM PDT.

Check your game’s eligibility

Your Steamworks developer account must be in good standing.
Your base game’s store page must be public.
The game must release after the event ends on October 26.
The game cannot be a prologue or other short version of existing content.
You need a publicly playable demo.
A title can participate in only one Steam Next Fest.

If you are already registered

Check your game’s registration and review status in Steamworks. Do not assume uploading a build completed either step.
Make the demo live before October 19 at 10:00 AM PDT (UTC-7).
Check the public store page and try installing and playing the demo as a player would.
Confirm that your planned game release is after the event ends on October 26 at 10:00 AM PDT.

What becomes public

The base-game store page and playable demo must be public. Check that the demo contains only material you intend players to access. A private preview or a separately hosted browser build does not replace the Steam demo requirement.

If something is missing

You missed registration. October registration has closed. Valve lists February 2027 as the next planned edition; check its requirements when planning your next submission.

Registration, review, or demo availability is unclear. Check the event documentation and your app’s status in Steamworks before assuming the game can participate. This checklist does not grant an exception to a missed deadline.

Official October requirements and schedule: https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/marketing/upcoming_events/nextfest/2026october