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# SpaceX Stock (SPCX) Lockup Expiration Dates Explained
- URL: https://www.gessymorgan.com/spacex-stock-lockup-expiration/
- Published: 2026-10-26T12:27:43.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-26T12:47:43.000Z
- Description: SpaceX's insider lockup ends in stages, not on one day. Here are the SPCX unlock dates that have passed, the December 8 and June 2027 releases still ahead, and how the stock and analysts have reacted.
- Author: Gessy Morgan
- Tags: Business

⚡

**The short version**
- SpaceX (SPCX) began trading on Nasdaq on June 12, 2026, at a $135 IPO price, and its insider lockup ends in stages rather than on one date.
- The main 180-day lockup ends December 8, 2026, with up to 797.6 million shares; Elon Musk's roughly 6.4 billion shares stay locked until June 12, 2027.
- The largest 2026 release, up to 1.3 billion shares, came on October 22; the stock fell nearly 9% that day amid a wider tech selloff but stayed above its IPO price.

SpaceX stock does not have a single lockup expiration date. As of October 26, 2026, insider shares are being released in stages: the main 180-day lockup ends on **December 8, 2026**, and Elon Musk's roughly 6.4 billion shares stay locked until **June 12, 2027**, according to the company's [final IPO prospectus](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1181412/000162828026042639/spaceexplorationtechnologi.htm?ref=localhost). The next scheduled release is the December 8 tranche of up to 797.6 million shares.

SpaceX trades on Nasdaq under the ticker SPCX. This explainer covers how the listing happened, which unlock dates have passed, what is still ahead and how analysts read it. It is general information, not investment advice.

## How the SpaceX IPO happened

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. [priced its initial public offering](https://ir.spacex.com/updates/releases-details/2026/Space-Exploration-Technologies-Corp--Announces-Pricing-of-Initial-Public-Offering/default.aspx?ref=localhost) on June 11, 2026, selling 555,555,555 Class A shares at $135 each. Trading began on June 12 on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and Nasdaq Texas. The underwriting group, with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley listed first, also received a 30-day option to buy up to 83,333,333 more shares.

That option was used in full. SpaceX's [quarterly report for the period ended September 30](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1181412/000162828026066880/spcx-20260930.htm?ref=localhost) says the company sold 638.9 million shares in total and received net proceeds of about $85.7 billion. Reuters described the base deal as a [record $75 billion IPO](https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/spacex-selloff-an-ominous-sign-as-lockup-expiry-looms-4794642?ref=localhost), so both figures appear in coverage; the gap is the extra option shares.

Only a thin slice of the company was sold. Reuters and [The Motley Fool](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/10/26/spacex-kicks-off-another-potential-fleecing-of-retail-investors-today-oct-26/?ref=localhost) both put the initial float at under 5% of shares. The prospectus said Musk would hold about 82% of the voting power after the offering, mostly through his 10-vote Class B stock. [TradingKey](https://www.tradingkey.com/analysis/stocks/us-stocks/262164335-spacex-stock-spcx-lockup-expiration-key-information-tradingkey?ref=localhost) reported that SPCX joined the Nasdaq-100 on July 7.

![Fact card listing SpaceX's $135 IPO price, June 12, 2026 first trading day, 638.9 million shares sold, about $85.7 billion net proceeds, the December 8, 2026 lockup end and Musk's June 12, 2027 lockup end.](https://www.gessymorgan.com/content/images/2026/10/spacex-stock-lockup-expiration-facts.png)

SpaceX IPO and lockup at a glance. Sources: SpaceX 424B4 prospectus, SpaceX 10-Q, SpaceX IR

## What a lockup expiration means

A lockup is an agreement in which insiders and early investors promise not to sell for a set period after an IPO. It keeps a flood of shares from hitting the market while a new stock settles. When a lockup expires, those holders are allowed to sell, but they are not required to.

That distinction matters. TradingKey noted that an unlock "does not equate to actual selling." Still, a bigger pool of tradable shares can weigh on a price if buyers do not keep pace, which is why traders track these dates closely.

SpaceX's version is unusual. Instead of one 180-day cliff, the prospectus sets a staggered schedule with releases tied to earnings reports and to fixed calendar days. It also says Goldman Sachs, acting for the underwriters, may release locked shares at any time.

## SpaceX lockup dates that have already passed

The prospectus lists a maximum number of shares for each step. These are upper limits, and several exclude shares held by company affiliates.

- **August 6, 2026:** up to 911.5 million shares, two full trading days after the first earnings report. A bonus release of 455.8 million shares required the stock to close at least 30% above $135 on five of ten days before earnings; [The Motley Fool reported](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/08/05/spacexs-lockup-expires-on-aug-6-heres-why-9115-mil/?ref=localhost) that the trigger was not met.
- **August 20 and September 9:** up to 319.0 million shares on each date, or 7% of the 180-day pool.
- **September 10:** up to 59.1 million shares held by affiliates.
- **September 24 and October 9:** up to 328.4 million shares on each date.
- **October 22:** up to 1.3 billion shares, or 28% of the pool, two full trading days after third-quarter results on October 20\. This was the largest single release of 2026.
- **October 24 (day 135):** up to 328.4 million shares. Because that date fell on a Saturday, [TipRanks](https://www.tipranks.com/news/spacex-stock-climbs-today-but-328-million-shares-are-about-to-be-unlocked?ref=localhost) noted the shares could trade from Monday, October 26.

Not every outlet matches the filing. A Motley Fool column published today cites about 319 million shares for October 26 and 911.5 million for October 22\. The figures above come directly from the prospectus.

![Bar chart of maximum SpaceX shares released from the 180-day lockup by date, peaking at 1.3 billion on October 22 and 911.5 million on August 6, with 797.6 million due December 8.](https://www.gessymorgan.com/content/images/2026/10/spacex-stock-lockup-expiration-chart.png)

SpaceX 180-day lockup releases. Source: SpaceX Form 424(b)(4) prospectus, SEC

## Lockup dates still to come

- **December 8, 2026 (day 180):** up to 797.6 million shares, the rest of the 180-day pool. The number is larger because the August bonus shares were never released.
- **After fourth-quarter 2026 results:** up to 351.9 million shares from a separate "extended" lockup group that excludes Musk.
- **March 18 and May 17, 2027:** up to 176.0 million extended-lockup shares on each date, plus up to 351.9 million after first-quarter 2027 results.
- **June 12, 2027 (day 366):** up to 6.4 billion shares held by Musk come out of lockup, along with up to 351.9 million extended-lockup shares. That date is a Saturday.
- **After second-quarter 2027 results:** the final extended-lockup shares, up to 351.9 million.

According to the prospectus, shares restricted for more than a year total about 7.8 billion, roughly 60% of shares outstanding after the IPO, and Musk's shares carry no early-release provision. Reuters estimated in July that the tradable float could reach about 40% by December 8.

![Timeline of SpaceX stock events from the June 12, 2026 listing through lockup releases in August and October to the December 8, 2026 and June 12, 2027 lockup ends.](https://www.gessymorgan.com/content/images/2026/10/spacex-stock-lockup-expiration-timeline.png)

Key SpaceX stock and lockup dates. Sources: SpaceX 424B4 prospectus, SpaceX Q3 2026 release

## How SPCX stock has reacted to unlocks

So far, unlock days have not followed a clear pattern. On August 6, the first release, SPCX rose about 6% to $114.92, according to [TIKR](https://www.tikr.com/blog/spacex-stock-is-up-25-in-three-months-what-does-morgan-stanley-see?ref=localhost) and TradingKey. [The Motley Fool tallied](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/10/19/spacex-investors-mark-your-calendars-a-massive-stock-lockup-expiration-is-coming/?ref=localhost) the next releases: shares fell about 4% on August 20 and 3.9% on September 9, then moved about 1% or less on September 10, September 24 and October 9.

The biggest test came on October 22\. TipRanks reported that the stock fell nearly 9% that day, but a broader tech selloff happened at the same time, so the drop cannot be pinned on the unlock alone. TIKR put the October 22 close at $144.75 and the October 23 close at $147.49, still above the $135 IPO price.

The unlock followed strong results. SpaceX's [third-quarter earnings release](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1181412/000162828026066482/spaceexplorationtechnologi.htm?ref=localhost) reported revenue of $14.6 billion, up 161% from a year earlier, net income of $4.4 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $8.8 billion. [Yahoo Finance’s live coverage](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/live/spacex-earnings-live-updates-133218212.html?ref=localhost) showed revenue beating a $12.7 billion consensus. Capital spending reached about $19.6 billion, most of it for AI infrastructure.

Spending is in the news again today. In an [8-K filed October 26](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1181412/000110465926118614/tm2628247d1%5F8k.htm?ref=localhost), SpaceX said it signed a binding commitment for a GPU finance lease with an entity managed by Apollo Global Management, with principal payments expected to total about $40 billion. For background on the AI compute race behind deals like this, see our explainer on [neoclouds](https://www.gessymorgan.com/what-is-a-neocloud/).

## What analysts are saying

Wall Street is mostly upbeat on the business but split on near-term supply. TipRanks counted 29 Buy, 5 Hold and 1 Sell ratings, with an average 12-month target of $250\. Morgan Stanley's Adam Jonas has kept an Overweight rating and a $300 target, according to TIKR and [FX Leaders](https://www.fxleaders.com/news/2026/10/24/morgan-stanley-reiterates-overweight-on-spacex-citing-300-target/?ref=localhost), and he treated the August unlock as a chance to buy at lower prices.

Others have been more cautious about timing. In July, Jay Hatfield of Infrastructure Capital Advisors told Reuters, "We won't overweight it because they do have the lockup coming." Yahoo Finance reported that Evercore ISI analyst Kutgun Maral suggested the October 20 earnings date may have been set ahead of the large releases. Some Motley Fool contributors argue that the valuation and heavy cash needs leave retail buyers exposed.

## Our take

Based on the filings and the coverage above, the largest block of the 180-day pool has already been released, and the stock absorbed it without falling below its IPO price. The remaining 2026 date, December 8, is smaller than the October 22 tranche. The much larger event is June 2027, when Musk's stake leaves lockup, though being able to sell is not the same as selling.

Anyone weighing SPCX should read the prospectus and the latest filings on SEC EDGAR, and consider talking to a licensed financial adviser. Dates and amounts can change if the underwriters grant early releases, so watch for new filings.

## Frequently asked questions

### When does the SpaceX lockup expire?

There is no single date. The main 180-day lockup ends on December 8, 2026, when up to 797.6 million remaining shares become eligible for sale, according to the IPO prospectus. A separate extended lockup for some holders releases shares in steps through mid-2027.

### When can Elon Musk sell his SpaceX shares?

Musk agreed to a 366-day lockup that runs until June 12, 2027, covering up to about 6.4 billion shares. The prospectus says his shares have no early-release provision, though it also says Goldman Sachs, for the underwriters, may release locked shares at any time.

### How many SpaceX shares unlocked on October 22, 2026?

Up to 1.3 billion shares, or 28% of the 180-day lockup pool, became eligible two full trading days after SpaceX reported third-quarter results on October 20\. TipRanks reported the stock fell nearly 9% that day during a broader tech selloff.

### Does a lockup expiration mean SpaceX stock will fall?

Not necessarily. An expiration only allows insiders to sell; it does not require them to. SPCX rose on some unlock days and fell on others in 2026, so past releases have not followed a consistent pattern.

### What is SpaceX's stock ticker?

SpaceX trades as SPCX on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and Nasdaq Texas. It priced its IPO at $135 per share on June 11, 2026, and began trading on June 12.

## Sources

1. [Space Exploration Technologies Corp. Form 424(b)(4) final prospectus](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1181412/000162828026042639/spaceexplorationtechnologi.htm?ref=localhost), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
2. [Space Exploration Technologies Corp. Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering](https://ir.spacex.com/updates/releases-details/2026/Space-Exploration-Technologies-Corp--Announces-Pricing-of-Initial-Public-Offering/default.aspx?ref=localhost), SpaceX Investor Relations
3. [SpaceX Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2026](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1181412/000162828026066880/spcx-20260930.htm?ref=localhost), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
4. [SpaceX Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results (Form 8-K, Exhibit 99.1)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1181412/000162828026066482/spaceexplorationtechnologi.htm?ref=localhost), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
5. [SpaceX Form 8-K: GPU equipment finance lease commitment (October 24, 2026)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1181412/000110465926118614/tm2628247d1%5F8k.htm?ref=localhost), U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
6. [SpaceX selloff an ominous sign as lockup expiry looms](https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/spacex-selloff-an-ominous-sign-as-lockup-expiry-looms-4794642?ref=localhost), Reuters (via Investing.com)
7. [SpaceX's Lockup Expires on Aug. 6\. Here's Why 911.5 Million Insider Shares Could Hit the Market](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/08/05/spacexs-lockup-expires-on-aug-6-heres-why-9115-mil/?ref=localhost), The Motley Fool
8. [SpaceX Investors, Mark Your Calendars: A Massive Stock Lockup Expiration Is Coming](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/10/19/spacex-investors-mark-your-calendars-a-massive-stock-lockup-expiration-is-coming/?ref=localhost), The Motley Fool
9. [SpaceX Kicks Off Yet Another Potential Fleecing of Retail Investors Today, Oct. 26](https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/10/26/spacex-kicks-off-another-potential-fleecing-of-retail-investors-today-oct-26/?ref=localhost), The Motley Fool
10. [SpaceX earnings live updates: Q3 2026](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/live/spacex-earnings-live-updates-133218212.html?ref=localhost), Yahoo Finance
11. [SpaceX Stock Climbs Today, but 328 Million Shares Are About to Be Unlocked](https://www.tipranks.com/news/spacex-stock-climbs-today-but-328-million-shares-are-about-to-be-unlocked?ref=localhost), TipRanks
12. [SpaceX Stock Is Up 25% in Three Months. What Does Morgan Stanley See?](https://www.tikr.com/blog/spacex-stock-is-up-25-in-three-months-what-does-morgan-stanley-see?ref=localhost), TIKR
13. [Key Information You Need to Know About SpaceX Stock Lockup Expiry](https://www.tradingkey.com/analysis/stocks/us-stocks/262164335-spacex-stock-spcx-lockup-expiration-key-information-tradingkey?ref=localhost), TradingKey
14. [Morgan Stanley Reiterates Overweight on SpaceX, Citing $300 Target](https://www.fxleaders.com/news/2026/10/24/morgan-stanley-reiterates-overweight-on-spacex-citing-300-target/?ref=localhost), FX Leaders

## How we wrote this

GessyMorgan explainers are built from public reporting and official sources. This post draws on the 14 sources listed above, each linked where we use it. It was drafted with AI assistance and checked against those sources before publishing. We did not test products, attend events or interview anyone for this article. Facts are current as of October 26, 2026, and we update the post when they change.