Steam Controller Reservations Extend Into 2027 — Valve Shares New Delivery Windows

Just over a month after the Steam Controller's chaotic launch and immediate sellout in May, Valve has posted an official update addressing demand, production capacity, and — most importantly — when customers can expect to actually receive their controllers.

The headline: demand has significantly exceeded Valve's initial expectations, and new reservations placed from today onward won't ship until 2027.

The Three Delivery Windows

Valve has broken the reservation queue into three estimated order windows based on when you placed your reservation:

Estimated Window	Who This Applies To
By September 2026	Early reservations (placed shortly after queue opened in May)
By December 2026	Mid-queue reservations
In 2027	New reservations placed from today onward

For the 2027 window, Valve noted that additional information on specific timing will be shared as they get closer. If you already have a reservation, you can check your estimated window by logging into your Steam account and visiting the Steam Controller page.

What Valve Said

In their update, Valve was notably transparent about the situation:

"When we launched Steam Controller last month, we quickly saw that initial demand exceeded our expectations."

They went on to explain that the reservation system has helped manage demand while allowing them to plan production more effectively. Crucially, Valve emphasized that they have no plans to discontinue the controller:

"We have no plans to stop making Steam Controller. But as we look at the current demand compared to how many we know we can make by the end of the year, we want to manage expectations as much as we can with regards to when folks can expect to receive their order."

This is reassuring for anyone worried that Valve might pull the plug like they did with the original Steam Controller in 2019. Production continues, it's just a matter of how fast they can make them.

How the Queue Works (Reminder)

If you're new to the reservation process, here's how it works:

1. Place a reservation on the Steam Controller page (reservations remain open)
2. Wait for your position in the queue — you'll see an estimated delivery window on the product page
3. Receive an email when your turn arrives
4. Complete purchase within 72 hours or lose your spot to the next person in line

Important: if you miss the 72-hour window, your reservation is removed and offered to the next customer. So keep an eye on your email once you're in the September or December window.

Why the Wait Is So Long

The Steam Controller delay is part of a broader supply challenge Valve is facing across all its hardware in 2026. The global DRAM and component shortage has affected the entire PC industry, stretching Valve's supply chain thin. This same shortage has:

• Led to a controversial Steam Deck price increase
• Delayed the Steam Machine launch (now confirmed for June 29)
• Pushed the Steam Controller from "available now" to a months-long reservation queue

Valve is producing controllers as fast as they can, but with limited component availability and unexpectedly high demand, the queue has grown faster than production can fulfill it.

Should You Still Reserve?

Yes — if you want a Steam Controller at the retail price of €85/$79. Here's why:

• Reservations are free — you don't pay until it's your turn
• No other way to buy — there's no walk-in stock; the queue is the only path
• Scalper prices are insane — we've documented listings from €200 to €700 on secondary markets
• Valve confirmed continued production — they aren't discontinuing it, so your reservation will eventually be fulfilled
• 2027 estimate may improve — Valve said they'll update the estimate as production ramps up

The worst case is waiting a few extra months. The best case is the estimate moves up as Valve increases production capacity.

What This Means for Our Tracking

Our Steam Controller tracking page continues to monitor the reservation status across all 21 regions. With this update, the Steam Controller will remain in "reservation" state for the foreseeable future — there likely won't be any open stock available for instant purchase in 2026.

We'll update our monitoring to reflect the new delivery window information as it appears in the Steam API.

Timeline Recap

• May 4, 2026: Steam Controller launches, sells out in hours
• May 6, 2026: Valve confirms restock plans
• May 8, 2026: Reservation queue opens
• June 18, 2026: Valve posts reservation update with three delivery windows
• September 2026: First wave of reservation emails expected
• December 2026: Second wave expected
• 2027: New reservations fulfilled (specific timing TBD)

Our Take

This is both disappointing and encouraging. Disappointing because a 2027 wait for new reservations is brutal — especially for a €85 controller. But encouraging because Valve is being transparent, committing to continued production, and not pulling the plug like they did seven years ago.

If you reserved early in May, you're likely in the September window. If you're on the fence about reserving now, our advice is simple: just do it. It costs nothing, the queue is the only way to get one at retail, and the estimate might improve as production scales.

Whatever you do, don't pay scalper prices. Valve has made it clear: they're making more. It's just going to take time.

Stay updated on our live dashboard and Steam Controller product page for real-time status changes across all regions.