SPCX lock-up expiration dates
Only about 5% of SpaceX's shares floated at the 2026-06-12 listing. The rest unlock on a staggered schedule over 180 days — and each release date is a scheduled supply event for a stock with a tiny float. Here is the full calendar, with the early-release trigger level computed.
The release schedule
| Milestone | Estimated timing | What releases |
|---|---|---|
| After Q2 2026 earnings call | Mid-July–September 2026 | 20% of eligible shares release; directed-share (friends & family) participants may sell for the first time. |
| Performance trigger (any time) | If SPCX closes 30%+ above $135 — i.e. above ~$175.50 — on 5 of 10 trading days | A further 10% of eligible shares can release early. |
| Day 70 | ~August 21, 2026 | Time-based tranche (~7% of eligible shares). |
| Day 90 | ~September 10, 2026 | Time-based tranche (~7%). |
| Day 105 | ~September 25, 2026 | Time-based tranche (~7%). |
| Day 120 | ~October 10, 2026 | Time-based tranche (~7%). |
| Day 135 | ~October 25, 2026 | Time-based tranche (~7%). |
| After Q3 2026 earnings call | October–November 2026 | Up to 28% more of eligible shares release. |
| Day 180 — full expiry | ~December 9, 2026 | All remaining restrictions lift, including the 60%+ of pre-IPO shares (Elon Musk's among them) held longest. |
Calendar dates are approximations anchored to the June 12, 2026 listing; the prospectus (S-1/A) governs the exact dates and share counts. Last verified 2026-06-13.
Why SPCX lock-ups matter more than usual
Lock-up expirations matter for every IPO, but SPCX's setup amplifies them. With a float of only about 5%, every tranche is large relative to the shares actually trading. A 7% time-based release is small against SpaceX's total share count — but big against a 5% float. That is why the staggered design exists: spreading supply over five-plus events instead of one cliff reduces the risk of a single crushing expiration day, at the cost of creating a drumbeat of smaller ones.
The wildcard is the performance trigger. If SPCX sustains prices above ~$175.50 (30% over the $135 IPO price) on 5 of 10 trading days, extra supply arrives early — a built-in brake on runaway rallies. The stock touched $168.75 in its first session, so this is not a theoretical level.
For how these dates fit the wider bull/bear debate, see the SPCX forecast — and track the key price levels on the SPCX stock price page.
SPCX lock-up FAQ
When does the SpaceX (SPCX) lock-up expire?+
Fully at about 180 days after the June 12, 2026 listing — approximately December 9, 2026. But SpaceX uses a staggered schedule rather than one cliff: 20% of eligible shares release after the Q2 2026 earnings call, time-based tranches of roughly 7% each release at 70, 90, 105, 120 and 135 days, up to 28% more after Q3 earnings, and the rest at 180 days.
What is the SPCX early-release trigger?+
If SPCX trades 30% or more above the $135 IPO price — that is, above roughly $175.50 — on 5 of any 10 trading days, a further 10% of eligible shares can release early. With the stock opening at $150 and touching $168.75 on day one, this trigger is worth watching from the very first weeks.
What happens to a stock price at lock-up expiration?+
Expirations add potential supply: insiders and early investors become free to sell. Studies of past IPOs show prices often weaken into and around big expiration dates, though it is not a rule — if few insiders want to sell, nothing happens. With only ~5% of SpaceX floating at listing, each SPCX release is proportionally large versus the existing float, which is why these dates matter more than usual.
Can Elon Musk sell his SpaceX shares now?+
No. More than 60% of pre-IPO shares — including Elon Musk's — sit under the extended lock-up that runs the full 180 days, to approximately December 9, 2026. Musk also retains over 82% of voting power through Class B shares regardless of any sales.
Where can I confirm the exact lock-up dates?+
The governing source is SpaceX's prospectus (S-1/A) on SEC EDGAR — the dates on this page are approximations anchored to the June 12, 2026 listing date. Brokers and financial-data providers typically publish the confirmed dates as each release approaches.
Sources
- CNBC — SpaceX IPO live updates: SPCX pops after biggest IPO ever (June 12, 2026)
- Yahoo Finance — SpaceX opens at $150 following largest IPO ever
- Bloomberg — What to Know About the SpaceX IPO
- Morningstar — SpaceX: What Investors Need to Know About Its Enormous Upcoming IPO
- Fortune — SpaceX's $80 billion IPO has a catch: 78% of the money is already spoken for
- CNBC — SpaceX (SPCX) IPO live updates
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