FREE FLY TRACKER
Star Citizen Free Fly Event Tracker
Is Star Citizen free to play? Not permanently — a paid game package is required to play at any time. But several times a year, Roberts Space Industries opens the full Persistent Universe during "Free Fly" events, and anyone can try the game for free, no purchase required. This page tracks the current status, explains what the game actually costs the rest of the year, and lists every recurring event window so you know when the next chance is coming.
Star Citizen Free Fly & event calendar
Free Fly windows follow a recurring yearly pattern. Invictus Launch Week and IAE are the two most reliable anchors; Foundation Festival is the one most explicitly aimed at new players. Hover or tap a block below for exact dates. Blocks marked "Expected" are based on past years and are not an official promise from Roberts Space Industries — check the status below once a window is confirmed.
- Confirmed
- Expected (typical window, not yet confirmed)
- Already passed this year
- Today
Passed
Red Festival / Coramor
An in-game holiday celebrating love and companionship across the 'verse, with themed decorations and limited-time cosmetic items. A Free Fly window is not guaranteed for this smaller celebration.
Passed
Invictus Launch Week
The UEE Navy's annual fleet showcase. Players can fly and test dozens of military and Navy-variant ships for free, tour a themed community hub, and watch live shows. One of the two most reliable Free Fly anchors of the year.
Passed
Alien Week
A celebration of the 'verse's alien manufacturers (Banu, Xi'An, Tevarin, and others), spotlighting their unique ship designs and lore through special content and community events.
Passed
Foundation Festival
A community and mentoring-focused celebration aimed squarely at new players, pairing newcomers with experienced Guides and encouraging veterans to fly with friends. Explicitly the most beginner-friendly Free Fly event of the year.
Passed
Ship Showdown
A community bracket-style voting event where players choose their favorite ships across categories, culminating in a crowned "Ship of the Year". Sometimes paired with a Free Fly window.
Confirmed
IAE (Intergalactic Aerospace Expo)
The largest ship show of the year. Over 100 ships become available to fly, buy, or upgrade at special show prices inside a massive in-game expo hall. The second major, highly reliable Free Fly anchor.
Expected
Luminalia
A winter holiday celebration themed around light and reflection, marking the end of the year with festive decorations, gifts, and community events.
This status is checked automatically against official Roberts Space Industries announcements and updated regularly, but it is not an official CIG/RSI page. Always verify exact dates on the official RSI Comm-Link before making plans. The referral link above contains a referral code; if you use it to create your account, we both receive a bonus.
How much does Star Citizen actually cost?
Star Citizen is often associated with expensive ship pledges that can cost hundreds of dollars, and headlines about them shape a lot of the public perception of the game. What those headlines usually leave out: those high-priced ships are optional collector purchases, not a requirement to play.
To actually play Star Citizen, all you need is a single starter package from the official Roberts Space Industries store, which includes access to the Persistent Universe and one starter ship. That one modest package is enough to explore, take on missions, earn in-game currency, and try different professions — you can rent, earn, or upgrade into other ships later once you know what you enjoy. For a full breakdown of first-step costs and choices, see the Star Citizen Beginner Guide.
Legal notice: Pricing, packages, and offers are set and fulfilled exclusively by Roberts Space Industries and can change at any time. This page does not sell, process, or guarantee any purchase — it links to the official RSI store for current, authoritative pricing.
Free Star Citizen access: FAQ
Is Star Citizen free to play?
Not permanently. Star Citizen requires a paid game package to play at any time. However, Roberts Space Industries runs scheduled "Free Fly" events several times a year during which anyone can play the full Persistent Universe for free, with no purchase required.
How can I play Star Citizen for free?
Create a free RSI account and wait for or join an active Free Fly event. During these windows, the game is playable at no cost. Outside of these events, a paid starter package is required.
When is the next Star Citizen Free Fly event?
Free Fly events happen several times a year, most reliably around Invictus Launch Week (May), Foundation Festival (July/August), and IAE (November). Exact dates are announced by Roberts Space Industries roughly 1-3 weeks in advance. This page tracks the current status.
Do I need to buy an expensive ship to play Star Citizen?
No. Star Citizen is often associated with high-priced ship pledges, but these are optional purchases, not a requirement. A single, modest starter package that includes one ship is enough to begin playing, exploring, and earning in-game currency to unlock other ships.
Does a Star Citizen referral code cost anything?
No. A referral code is free to use and does not change the price of any package. It links your new account to an existing citizen and can unlock bonus in-game credits during eligible promotions.
New to Star Citizen entirely?
Whether or not a Free Fly is active right now, you can create your account today with a referral bonus, or read the full beginner guide to understand what you need before you start.