Current Free Fly details

The Official Free Fly source contains the official details for Foundation Festival Free Fly.

The most recent confirmed event window runs from July 29, 2026 to August 10, 2026. The event ended. Check the official Free Fly page for the next confirmed announcement. CIG does not always publish exact start or finish times, so also check RSI Status if access is not available when expected.

When is the next Star Citizen Free Fly?

Estimated next Free Fly: week starting 9 November 2026. This is an unofficial estimate based on previous events, not a confirmed CIG date. When official details are available, they will appear in the Current Free Fly details section above.

Free Fly links

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Create and secure your RSI account

Use the referral link or enter the referral code while creating your RSI account. RSI allows a referral code to be added during registration or within 24 hours of creating the account, but once a code has been linked, it cannot be changed.

After registering, make sure you can access the email address connected to the account and test that you can sign in. For additional protection, open your RSI Account Dashboard, select Security, and enable Two-Step Authentication. A mobile authenticator app provides the strongest protection, although email authentication is also available.

What happens during and after a Free Fly

An active Star Citizen Free Fly temporarily allows people without a Star Citizen Game Package to enter the game and explore the Persistent Universe. Dates, included ships and access steps differ between events, so check the official Free Fly instructions and the Current Free Fly details section at the top of this page for confirmed information.

When the event ends, the free access and temporary event ships are removed. To continue playing, you will need a Star Citizen Game Package that includes access to the game. Your RSI account remains available, and any progress retained by the current persistence system should still be there when you return, even if you purchase a Game Package several weeks later. However, Star Citizen is still in alpha, so CIG may reset money, items, reputation or other progress when required for development or major updates.

Extra referral rewards during some Free Fly events

Some Star Citizen Free Fly periods include a separate limited-time referral promotion. Dates, rewards, qualifying purchases and delivery schedules are specific to each offer and may continue after the Free Fly itself ends. Check the official RSI Referral Program FAQ and the applicable promotion terms before spending money.

Qualifying-spend rules may exclude store credit and gifted pledges. A standalone ship may satisfy the spend requirement for a particular promotion, but it does not include game access; continued access after a Free Fly requires an eligible Star Citizen Game Package. Do not assume that the purchase rules from one referral promotion apply to another.

Prepare the PC and download early

Install Star Citizen on an SSD with at least 150 GB of available space and use the current RSI Launcher. The first download, launcher updates and file verification can consume a sizeable part of the event, especially during peak demand. Starting early also leaves time to solve email, authentication or storage problems without rushing.

Make the most of your first Free Fly session

• Check RSI Status and the current Known Issues before logging in. Free Fly traffic can affect login, matchmaking and in-game services, particularly around the beginning and end of an event.
• Pick one simple objective: get comfortable with movement, retrieve a ship, reach orbit and land safely at a nearby station.
• Use the official Guide Hub or the Getting Started resources when you want help with a particular activity. There is no need to tackle every career at once.
• Follow the official event instructions to access the available ships. Some Free Fly ships appear automatically at ship-retrieval terminals, while expo events may require a free rental from an event kiosk first.
• Your default regeneration point is at your chosen home location. After travelling elsewhere, use a suitable hospital or clinic to set a more convenient regeneration location, then confirm the change before continuing your journey.
• Spend cautiously while learning. Store anything you do not need at a landing zone and keep some credits in reserve, as unequipped personal items, ship inventory and cargo may still be lost after death, ship destruction or a crash.

Choosing a starting location

The best starting city is the one that supports the activity you want to try and is easy to return to. Large cities take time to leave, so a nearby orbital station can become a practical base after the opening tutorial. Set a convenient regeneration location and leave unequipped items you do not need in local storage before making a longer trip.

Expect heavy event traffic

Free Fly periods bring a large increase in activity. Queues, slow services, crowded terminals and temporary incidents are more likely than on a quiet day. Check official status and known issues before assuming the installation is broken.

After the event

There is no need to buy immediately. Use the event to learn whether the game, performance and available careers suit you. If you later purchase access, confirm that the item is a Game Package rather than a standalone ship and read the store description before paying.

Related Star Citizen resources

Referral Bonus · Getting Started · Help & Troubleshooting · Information & Updates.