What happens when SpaceX's lock-up ends on 8 December?
Updated from live prices and SEC filings
On Tuesday 8 December 2026 SpaceX's main 180-day lock-up ends, freeing about 798 million remaining shares held by employees and early investors. Before that, up to 328.4 million shares unlock on Monday 26 October. Elon Musk's own lock-up runs until June 2027.
What unlocks on 8 December
8 December 2026 is day 180 after SpaceX priced its IPO on 11 June, when the main lock-up covering employees and most pre-IPO investors expires. About 798 million shares, the remaining 17% of that pool, become free to sell. The figure is approximate because each holder's release depends on what they held.
Musk and the largest holders are not part of this release. They agreed to a separate, longer lock-up.
One more release comes first
Day 135 falls on Saturday 24 October, so up to 328.4 million shares become free from the start of trading on Monday 26 October. That is the last release before 8 December.
How SPCX traded on earlier release days
| Release day | Release | Shares, up to | SPCX on the day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Aug | Second trading day after Q2 results | 911.5 million | +6% |
| 20 Aug | Day 70 | 319.0 million | About -4% |
| 9 Sep | Day 90 | 319.0 million | About -4% |
| 24 Sep | Day 105 | 328.4 million | -0.2% |
| 9 Oct | Day 120 | 328.4 million | +1% |
| 22 Oct | Second trading day after Q3 results | 1.3 billion | -9% |
The reaction has been mixed. The largest release so far, on 22 October, brought the biggest fall, a day after the shares rose about 8% on Q3 results. Across the releases the stock has still risen: from around $108 before the first one to about $145 after the 22 October release.
Every date, share count and daily move is on the SpaceX lockup calendar.
Why lock-up releases can move the price
- Supply: a release adds shares that can be sold, and traders often position for that in the days before a large one.
- Choice: how much is actually sold depends on holders. Employees may sell to diversify; long-term investors may hold.
- Visibility: directors and officers report sales on Form 4 within two business days, but most employees and smaller investors do not file, so trading volume on the day is the better guide.
What comes after 8 December
Musk and a group of large shareholders, together holding about 7.8 billion shares, are under an extended lock-up that releases in stages tied to SpaceX's results from Q4 2026 to Q2 2027. Musk himself cannot sell before June 2027. The full schedule is on the lockup calendar.
Questions and answers
How many SpaceX shares unlock on 8 December?
About 798 million, the remaining 17% of the main lock-up pool held by employees and early investors.
When is the next SpaceX unlock?
Monday 26 October 2026, when up to 328.4 million shares become free to sell (day 135). The main lock-up then ends on 8 December.
Can Elon Musk sell SpaceX shares after 8 December?
No. Musk is under a separate 366-day lock-up and cannot sell before June 2027.
What happened to SPCX on the last big unlock?
On 22 October 2026, when up to 1.3 billion shares were released, SPCX fell about 9%, a day after rising about 8% on Q3 results.
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Sources
Published 24 Oct 2026. Orbit Alpha is information, not investment advice.
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