IAE 2956 FAQ: Rentals, Limited Ships, Wave Times and Rewards
Plan your IAE visit with the limited-stock ship dates, all six wave times, rental rules and Best in Show requirements, plus the Prospector change and Twitch rewards.
IAE 2956 runs from 13 November at 16:00 UTC through 27 November, with free access to Star Citizen and more than 200 ships and ground vehicles to try. The expo returns to New Babbage’s Tobin Expo Center on microTech.
Rentals last 48 hours. Limited-stock ships are released in six waves, and Best in Show rewards arrive after the event. Here are the dates, limits and ownership requirements for planning your visit.
How do IAE’s free rentals work?
Use the Traveler Rentals terminals in the main IAE hall during the relevant manufacturer’s rental window. Choose a vehicle, complete the rental and retrieve it at an ASOP terminal at the spaceport or elsewhere in the ’verse.
The terminals offer more vehicles than fit on the exhibition floor. You can rent the flyable ships and drivable vehicles on display, plus additional models from that day’s manufacturers.
- Rental length: 48 hours from the time you rent the vehicle.
- Rental limit: each ship or vehicle can be rented once.
- Manufacturer rotation: the selection changes through the event. Check the dates before travelling for a particular ship.
Our manufacturer rental forecast lists anticipated ships and vehicles alongside their manufacturer dates. Best in Show is on 22 November, followed by the finale from 23–27 November.
Which ships are stock-limited at IAE 2956?
CIG has announced the following limited-stock release dates. Each listed ship is limited to one per account, with stock released in six waves. These are pledge-store availability windows; they are separate from the free in-game rental schedule.
| First wave date | Stock-limited ships |
|---|---|
| 14 November IAE Day 2 |
Origin 890 Jump |
| 17 November IAE Day 5 |
Drake Kraken Drake Kraken Privateer |
| 18 November IAE Day 6 |
Consolidated Outland Pioneer |
| 20 November IAE Day 8 |
Aegis Idris-P Aegis Javelin |
What time are the six stock waves?
All times below are UTC, which matches UK time in November. The midnight wave falls on the next calendar date after the first wave: for example, the 890 Jump’s first two waves are on 14 November, and its remaining four are on 15 November.
| Wave | UTC / UK time | Calendar day |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16:00 | Listed date |
| 2 | 20:00 | Listed date |
| 3 | 00:00 | Following day |
| 4 | 04:00 | Following day |
| 5 | 08:00 | Following day |
| 6 | 12:00 | Following day |
The announcement does not specify the number of ships in each wave or promise another limited-stock release during the finale.
Daily Warbond deals and the Prospector price change
Daily Warbond deals return during IAE, with each offer lasting 24 hours. The FAQ does not name the individual daily offers.
CIG’s standalone MISC Prospector price increases from US$155 to US$175 on MISC Day, a US$20 rise. MISC’s manufacturer window begins on 19 November. Those are CIG’s announced prices, not prices for The Impound’s listings.
Which ships receive Best in Show rewards?
The four Ship Showdown semi-finalists qualify:
Each receives a limited-edition Best in Show paint, a manufacturer-themed coin and a coin case. As this year’s winner, the Perseus also receives a manufacturer-themed bomber jacket. All four ships are available to fly for free from 22–27 November.
See our Best in Show guide for the ships and their rewards.
What must owners do to qualify?
Have the exact winning model active in your web hangar at the end of IAE. Buyback entries do not count, and other variants do not qualify. For example, a standard Ironclad does not qualify for the Ironclad Assault rewards. An in-game rental also does not give you ownership in the web hangar.
Eligible owners receive the rewards at no extra cost after the event’s final day. Keep the ship until its paint arrives: melting it before delivery removes eligibility. CIG has not given an exact delivery time.
Are Best in Show bundles different?
Ships pledged for in their Best in Show editions during IAE include the associated rewards. The bundles become available on Best in Show day, 22 November. Their paint, coin and coin case are included within the bundle; they do not also grant separate standalone copies of those items.
Can I visit without owning Star Citizen?
Yes. The free fly starts with IAE on 13 November at 16:00 UTC. You need an account, but you do not need to buy a game package to play during the event.
Every account has access to an RSI Aurora Mk II for the event. Retrieve it from an ASOP ship terminal if you need transport to microTech.
How do I reach the Tobin Expo Center?
When choosing a starting location for a new character, select Stanton and then New Babbage. Follow the IAE signs to the Metroloop and travel to the Tobin Expo Center.
If you are flying in from elsewhere, land at New Babbage’s spaceport and take the Metroloop from there. Our New Babbage IAE route guide covers the journey.
Can friends join, and where can new players get help?
Friends can create an account and join the free fly. Entering a referral code during account creation grants the new player an additional 50,000 UEC. A referral point is awarded when the recruit buys a game package worth at least US$40 from CIG, excluding store credit and gift card credit. Joining the free fly alone does not earn a point.
For help learning the game, the Welcome Hub provides introductory tutorials, the Guide System pairs newcomers with experienced players, and the official Knowledge Base covers account creation, equipment and common questions.
What are the IAE Twitch Drops?
Watch a Drops-enabled Star Citizen stream to earn the following rewards:
- 2 hours: Venture Undersuit Black/Grey.
- 4 hours: Venture Black Armor Set.
- 6 hours: MacFlex Backpack Orange.
Our Twitch Drops claiming guide explains account linking and collection.
Source: CIG’s IAE 2956 FAQ and referral programme rules. Images: Cloud Imperium Games.