Sony is raising the price of PlayStation Plus in 22 countries because of the impact of “global market conditions”.
Fortunately for Brits, the UK has been spared the latest round of hikes, though that doesn’t mean they won’t reach these shores eventually.
Affected regions include South America, south-east Asia and Australia, where the price of certain subscription plans are jumping almost 36 per cent.
Here is what you need to know about the PS Plus price rise, including affected countries and how you can evade them.
When are PS Plus prices going up?
The new PS Plus prices will come into force on Wednesday April 16 for new subscribers and June 24 (or when subscriptions run out) for existing subscribers.
Sony said the hike is down to “global market conditions” – in plain terms, that means things like inflation and other economic changes, especially in regions like Latin America where costs have soared.
The company argued the changes are needed to keep delivering top-tier games and perks through PlayStation Plus. It’s part of a wider trend: as Xbox Game Pass and Netflix (which now offers games) raise their prices, Sony is following suit to stay competitive.
Where are PS Plus prices going up and by how much?
Below we have listed all the countries where Sony is upping the cost of PS Plus, along with the new and old prices for each region (and the percentage difference).
South Korea (KRW1,000 = £0.54)
Essential:
- 1 month: KRW 8,900 → KRW 10,800 (+21.3%)
- 3 months: KRW 23,800 → KRW 28,400 (+19.3%)
- 12 months: KRW 72,900 → KRW 86,400 (+18.5%)
Extra:
- 1 month: KRW 13,300 → KRW 16,200 (+21.8%)
- 3 months: KRW 36,000 → KRW 46,000 (+27.8%)
- 12 months: KRW 115,900 → KRW 145,800 (+25.8%)
Deluxe (Premium):
- 1 month: KRW 15,600 → KRW 19,000 (+21.8%)
- 3 months: KRW 43,200 → KRW 54,000 (+25%)
- 12 months: KRW 139,900 → KRW 171,000 (+22.2%)
Latin America (general pricing in USD)
Essential:
- 1 month: $6.99 → $7.99 (+14.31%)
- 3 months: $17.99 → $20.99 (+16.68%)
- 12 months: $59.99 → $64.99 (+8.34%)
Extra:
- 1 month: $9.99 → $11.99 (+20.02%)
- 3 months: $27.99 → $33.99 (+21.43%)
- 12 months: $89.99 → $107.99 (+20%)
Premium:
- 1 month: $11.99 → $13.99 (+16.68%)
- 3 months: $34.99 → $39.99 (+14.29%)
- 12 months: $109.99 → $124.99 (+13.64%)
Brazil (R$10 = £1.30)
The following price increases are for current/new subscribers:
Essential:
- 1 month: R$34.90 → R$39.90 / R$43.90 (+14.3% / +25.8%)
- 3 months: R$89.90 → R$97.90 / R$114.90 (+8.9% / +27.8%)
- 12 months: R$278.90 → R$319.90 / R$359.90 (+14.7% / +29%)
Extra:
- 1 month: R$52.90 → R$59.90 / R$65.90 (+13.2% / +24.6%)
- 3 months: R$139.90 → R$159.90 / R$186.90 (+14.3% / +33.6%)
- 12 months: R$475.90 → R$546.90 / R$592.90 (+14.9% / +24.6%)
Deluxe (Premium):
- 1 month: R$60.90 → R$68.90 / R$76.90 (+13.1% / +26.3%)
- 3 months: R$161.90 → R$183.90 / R$219.90 (+13.6% / +35.8%)
- 12 months: R$549.90 → R$619.90 / R$691.90 (+12.7% / +25.8%)
Australia (AUD1 = £0.58)
Essential:
- 1 month: $11.95 AUD → $12.95 AUD (+8%)
- 3 months: $33.95 AUD → $35.95 AUD (+5%)
- 12 months: $95.95 AUD → $102.95 AUD (+7%)
Extra:
- 1 month: $18.95 AUD → $20.95 AUD (+10%)
- 3 months: $54.95 AUD → $59.95 AUD (+9%)
- 12 months: $169.95 AUD → $187.95 AUD (+10%)
Deluxe (Premium):
- 1 month: $21.95 AUD → $23.95 AUD (+9%)
- 3 months: $63.95 AUD → $70.95 AUD (+11%)
- 12 months: $196.95 AUD → $214.95 AUD (+9%)
Latin America
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Uruguay
Asia
- Indonesia
- Korea
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Thailand
Oceania
- Australia
How to avoid the PS Plus price hike
As the increase doesn’t start until April 16, there is still time for users to get the lower price, even if they are current subscribers.
You can purchase extra cards at a lower price and add them to your account, and Reddit users have reported that PlayStation lets them add additional years to their account this way.
Alternatively, Sony has cut the price of membership for Black Friday in the past so, if you can’t afford an annual membership now, the chances are you will get a second bite of the cherry come November. Stacking two three-month memberships should see you through till then.
Will PS Plus prices go up in the UK?
As of now, the April price hikes are specific to certain countries, and Sony has not mentioned any immediate plans to raise prices in the UK. But that could change.
There were already increases in affected regions in 2023, just like the UK. So while Sony hasn’t announced any changes here yet, it’s possible this new wave of hikes could expand.
Inflation is set to stay above the Bank of England’s 2 per cent target until 2027 and Sony – like many companies – may face more cost pressures. Factor in Donald Trump’s proposed 10 per cent global tariff (plus the subscription price rises we have seen in the past year from Spotify and Netflix) and the forecast doesn’t look great.
