DayZ Player Count: Is DayZ Dead? (Oct 2026)
Nick Guli|DayZ has 23,414 concurrent players on Steam right now (03:30 UTC on Oct 10, 2026). In the last 24 hours it peaked at 45,641 players, and over the past 30 days it has averaged 31,783 players at any given moment.
| Playing right now | 23,414 |
| 24-hour peak | 45,641 |
| 7-day average | 31,290 |
| 30-day average | 31,783 |
| 30-day peak | 59,191 |
| Change vs previous 30 days | -9% |
| Highest we have recorded | 74,393 (Apr 26, 2026) |
DayZ player count history
| Month | Average players | Peak players | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2026 (so far) | 30,813 | 55,859 | -7% |
| Sep 2026 | 33,141 | 62,395 | -7% |
| Aug 2026 | 35,772 | 63,396 | -3% |
| Jul 2026 | 36,734 | 64,943 | -0% |
| Jun 2026 | 36,845 | 65,156 | -7% |
| May 2026 | 39,450 | 71,468 | -2% |
| Apr 2026 | 40,393 | 74,393 | +7% |
| Mar 2026 | 37,707 | 66,466 | – |
Is DayZ dead?
No. DayZ averages 31,783 concurrent players on Steam and the trend is fairly steady (down 9% on the previous 30 days).
DayZ remains a lively game, showing signs of stability rather than decline. Steam activity has dipped from its peak in April, with the 30-day average sitting 9% lower than the previous month. We saw the highest number of players at 74,393 on April 26, 2026, but since then, the community has settled below that figure.
The most significant drop occurred in September 2026, with the average falling 7% compared to the previous month. This decline aligned with the buzz from the late August Badlands trailer and its release-date coverage. For players, queue times should still be quick. However, lobbies tend to feel emptier around 05:00 UTC (1 am ET) compared to the busy peak at 18:00 UTC (2 pm ET).
Best time to play DayZ
Over the last two weeks, DayZ has been busiest around 18:00 UTC (2 pm ET), averaging 47,182 players at that hour. The quietest hour is around 05:00 UTC (1 am ET), with about 19,147 players. If you want faster matchmaking, aim for the hours around the peak.
DayZ player count FAQ
How many people play DayZ right now?
23,414 people were playing DayZ on Steam at 03:30 UTC on Oct 10, 2026. The 24-hour peak was 45,641.
Is DayZ dead?
No. DayZ averages 31,783 concurrent players on Steam and the trend is fairly steady (down 9% on the previous 30 days).
What is the highest player count for DayZ?
The highest concurrent count we have recorded for DayZ on Steam is 74,393, on Apr 26, 2026. Our tracking started on Mar 25, 2026, so earlier launch peaks are not included.
Do these numbers include consoles?
No. These figures come from Steam only. Players on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, mobile or other PC launchers are not counted.
When is DayZ most active?
Activity usually peaks around 18:00 UTC (2 pm ET).
More on DayZ
How we count: Explosion samples Steam’s official concurrent-player API for every tracked game several times an hour and stores each reading. Averages are means of those readings. This page updates daily.
Nick Guli
Nick Guli is the founder and editor-in-chief of Explosion.com, which he launched in February 2012. With over a decade of experience in digital publishing, Nick oversees editorial direction across entertainment, gaming, technology, and lifestyle content. He is an avid gamer and movie enthusiast who brings a critical eye to coverage of industry trends, game reviews, and entertainment news.
