Steam Controller Demand is so High Some Orders Won’t be Fulfilled Until 2027

Valve is seeing demand for its Steam Controller that’s so high, it’s exceeding internal expectations. As a result, new orders won’t be fulfilled until 2027.

The company has issued new updates regarding the reservation system being used for Steam Controller purchases. If you’ve already confirmed your order reservation, Valve now provides two estimates of when you’ll actually be able to place your order. These include September 2026 and December 2026. However, if you were to make a reservation today, the page simply shows “2027.”

“We have no plans to stop making Steam Controller,” Valve says. “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.”

Valve’s new Steam Controller finally went on sale in early May of this year for $149.99 CAD. When online orders opened, customers were left battling issues. Many had to wait to get through to check out, only to find that stock had sold out entirely. A few days after the initial rollout, Valve introduced its reservation system.

Those who reserve a controller are then placed on a waitlist. Once it’s their opportunity to purchase a Steam Controller, Valve then sends an email to notify the customer. You then have 72 hours to finalize the order. Otherwise, your reservation is cancelled.

“When we launched Steam Controller last month, we quickly saw that initial demand exceeded our expectations,” according to Valve. “Switching to a reservation queue has (hopefully) cut down on the headaches on the customer side, and for us it’s also been helpful as we plan ahead and try to get as many out as quickly as we are able.”

Valve’s Steam Controller was first slated to release alongside the new Steam Machine and Steam Frame earlier this year. However, the suite of devices was delayed. Now, there’s still no official indication of when the Steam Machine or Steam Frame may launch in Canada or elsewhere.