Steam Hits $11.1 Billion in First Half of 2026, Already Surpassing All of 2020
Valve's Steam platform is having a historic year. According to multiple reports published on July 10, 2026, the PC storefront generated approximately $11.1 billion in revenue in just the first six months of 2026, a figure that already eclipses everything Valve earned across the entirety of 2020. The numbers represent the highest-ever results recorded for any comparable period in Steam's history, and the year is only half over.
The milestone underscores just how dominant Steam has become as a gaming platform, particularly at a time when competitors are struggling. While Xbox and PlayStation continue to face headwinds in their respective markets, Valve's model of essentially selling other publishers' and developers' games through its storefront, while taking a revenue cut, continues to print money at a staggering pace. Notably, Valve is not subsidizing hardware sales at a loss, meaning these figures reflect genuine platform profitability rather than a loss-leader strategy.
Key Insights
- 1Steam generated $11.1 billion in revenue in the first half of 2026 alone, already exceeding Valve's total revenue for all of 2020.
- 2The results represent the highest-ever figures for any six-month period in Steam's history.
- 3Valve's business model, which centers on selling third-party games and taking a platform cut, is proving extraordinarily lucrative without relying on hardware subsidies.
- 4The record comes as both Xbox and PlayStation are reportedly struggling, making Steam's dominance even more pronounced.
- 5With six months still remaining in 2026, Valve's full-year total could shatter previous annual records by a wide margin.
Sources
Steam has reportedly made Valve more money in the first half of 2026 than it did in all of 2020 – $11.1 billion and counting
GamesRadar · 2d ago
Turns out selling other people's stuff is hot business as Steam reportedly raked in $11 billion in the last six months
Destructoid · 2d ago
As Xbox and PlayStation flounder, Steam is reportedly having another record year
Eurogamer · 2d ago
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