When do Steam Controller reservations open?

Valve’s Steam Controller reservations are opening on May 8, with the intent to give more players a route to purchase the device after early stock quickly disappeared.

The controller originally went on sale earlier in the week and sold out almost immediately, prompting server issues and widespread difficulty for would-be buyers. Since then, Valve has been rolling out new access steps to reduce the impact of demand spikes and resellers.

According to the reports in the set:

• A reservation queue approach is being used to determine who can buy next
• Valve is also tying the restock to a Steam sign-in flow, meaning eligibility and purchasing can be managed through Valve’s accounts rather than open storefront buying
• Additional articles indicate Valve plans restocking soon and that the next wave is connected to the reservation system similar to the one used for Steam Deck

The practical takeaway for players is that the next chance won’t rely on racing to checkout when a limited batch is released. Instead, reservations should be the primary mechanism for access, starting on May 8.

This matters because limited hardware launches—especially when a device is positioned as a premium PC controller—tend to get flipped by resellers. Valve’s move suggests the company is trying to dampen scalping pressure while still meeting the continued demand for the controller’s touchpad-focused design.

If you’re tracking availability, the key dates to watch from these reports are May 8 for reservation openings and the related “restock soon” messaging for the new wave following the original sell-out.