IAE 2956: The Next Big Star Citizen Free Fly (Expected November)
Last checked July 29, 2026 · status: not announced
The Intergalactic Aerospace Expo 2956 has not been announced. Based on the yearly pattern — an IAE Free Fly every November since at least 2951 (2021) — the expected window is late November 2026. Historically it is the biggest free-to-play event of the year: roughly two weeks, 100+ ships rotating through daily manufacturer showcases, free for anyone with an RSI account.
What's confirmed so far
Nothing yet — pattern only
CIG has published no Comm-Link, dates, or schedule for IAE 2956. Everything on this page is the five-year historical pattern, sourced from the official Comm-Links of past IAEs below. When the announcement lands — typically one to two weeks before the event — this page flips to confirmed dates and the countdown banner takes over.
Last checked July 29, 2026. Watching official RSI Comm-Links only.
Five years of November Free Flys
Every row below is sourced from an official RSI Comm-Link:
| Event | Dates | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Intergalactic Aerospace Expo 2955 | Nov 20 – Dec 3, 2025 | Crusader Intrepid (event loaner) |
| Intergalactic Aerospace Expo 2954 | Nov 22 – Dec 5, 2024 | 100+ rotating ships — daily 48-hour manufacturer halls |
| Intergalactic Aerospace Expo 2953 | Nov 17–30, 2023 | 100+ rotating ships — daily 48-hour manufacturer halls |
| Intergalactic Aerospace Expo 2952 | Nov 18–30, 2022 | 100+ rotating ships — daily 48-hour manufacturer halls |
IAE 2951 (2021) and 2952 (2022) also ran November Free Flys — the table shows the events tracked in our full event history.
What IAE 2956 will probably look like
If the pattern holds: roughly two weeks starting mid-to-late November, a convention-hall showcase with a different ship manufacturer featured each day, that manufacturer's ships free to fly for 48 hours, and a finale stretch where everything flies at once. Recent IAEs have also debuted brand-new flyable ships on Day 1 — the RSI Perseus in 2025. It is the single best window of the year to try Star Citizen for free.
Don't wait for November
A Free Fly is often live sooner than you think — check the banner at the top of this page. Either way, create your free RSI account with a referral code now (it can't be added later) and the 50,000 UEC bonus will be waiting whenever you first log in.
Frequently asked questions
When is IAE 2956?
Not announced. Cloud Imperium Games has not published dates for the Intergalactic Aerospace Expo 2956. Based on the pattern — IAE has run every year since at least 2951 (2021), always starting mid-to-late November — the expected window is late November 2026. Treat any specific dates you see elsewhere as guesses until an official RSI Comm-Link exists.
Will IAE 2956 have a Free Fly?
Every IAE since at least 2951 (2021) has included a Free Fly, making it the most dependable free-to-play window of the year. That is a five-year pattern, not a 2026 announcement — this page updates the moment CIG confirms.
What ships will be free during IAE 2956?
Unknown until CIG publishes the schedule. Historically IAE rotates 100+ ships through daily manufacturer showcases — IAE 2955 (November 2025) included a Crusader Intrepid event loaner plus a daily manufacturer rotation, with the RSI Perseus making its flyable debut on Day 1.
How long does IAE usually last?
About two weeks. IAE 2955 ran November 20 – December 3, 2025; IAE 2954 ran November 22 – December 5, 2024, ending with a multi-day finale where all event ships were flyable at once.
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