Valve’s Steam set a new concurrent-player record on Jan. 5, 2026, topping out at 41,816,052 users online at once. Data tracked by SteamDB shows the new peak overtook October 2025’s high of 41,666,455. Of the 41.8 million users counted, roughly 13.4 million were actively playing a game at the same time, meaning a large chunk of the total reflected signed-in users who weren’t in a session.
The platform’s growth is clear in year-over-year numbers. Steam’s peak in January 2025 was about 39.3 million, and in January 2024 the top concurrent figure was roughly 33.6 million. Compared to early 2020 figures near 20 million, Steam’s audience has steadily expanded.
What’s driving the higher numbers? The platform’s massive catalogue of both AAA and indie titles, frequent seasonal sales, and multi-OS availability all play roles. The Steam Deck’s arrival has also pushed accessibility for players who prefer a portable, console-like experience.
Steam’s all-time peak drew attention on social media. See the announcement of the milestone on X here.
Steam crosses 41.8M concurrent players 🎮
A new all-time peak for the platform pic.twitter.com/VFpdfOh51B
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) January 5, 2026
Top Steam games by concurrent players during the peak
These titles were the biggest contributors to Steam’s January 2026 high, according to the same SteamDB data.
| Game | Concurrent players |
|---|---|
| Counter-Strike 2 | 1,611,978 |
| Dota 2 | 815,765 |
| PUBG: Battlegrounds | 709,468 |
| ARC Raiders | 466,372 |
| Rust | 208,463 |
| Apex Legends | 174,089 |
| Bongo Cat | 163,974 |
| Stardew Valley | 140,160 |
| Delta Force | 138,411 |
| Wallpaper Engine | 131,234 |
Steam’s record shows the platform remains the central hub for PC gaming activity worldwide. For more on Steam and PC gaming follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, and Instagram.
