Key Takeaways
- Starting June 24, Sony is increasing the price of all PlayStation Plus tiers in Canada by up to 22%.
- Sony has attributed the price increases to ongoing global economic challenges.
- As the cost of both games and hardware continues to rise, it remains to be seen how sales will be impacted.
Sony has continued to increase the price of PlayStation Plus, this time in Canada.
The video game giant has been raising prices in key markets around the world as the gaming industry attempts to sidestep potential margin hits from Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.
As gaming’s price point steadily reaches new highs, players are being forced to take a closer look at what they’re getting in return—and reflect on the value proposition of some of their favorite games.
Price of PlayStation Plus Increases
Beginning June 24, Canadian subscribers to PlayStation Plus will see increases in price across all subscription tiers.
The Premium tier will rise from CA$21 to CA$25 for a one-month subscription.
A three-month subscription will jump from CA$60 to CA$69, and the annual plan will increase from CA$190 to CA$225.
| Tier |
Monthly |
3 Months |
Annual |
| Premium |
$21 to $25 |
$60 to $69 |
$190 to $225 |
| Extra |
$18 to $21 |
$50 to $56 |
$155 to $190 |
| Essential |
$12 to $14 |
$30 to $35 |
$95 to $110 |
Source: PlayStation.com
These PlayStation Plus price changes represent up to a 22% price hike.
Canada joins 21 other countries that have experienced similar increases on Wednesday, April 16.
Sony has not yet raised PlayStation Plus prices in the U.S. or the U.K.
In addition to subscription services, Sony has raised the price of its flagship PlayStation 5 console in several regions, including Europe and the U.K.
However, there are currently no announced price hikes for consoles or software in the U.S.
Tariffs Only Hinted
While Sony has not explicitly cited U.S.-China tariffs, the company acknowledged in a recent blog post that it continues to be “impacted by global market conditions.”
In an email to Engadget, Sony stated that the price increases are necessary to “continue bringing high-quality games and benefits” to players.
The U.S.-China trade tensions have led to significant tariffs, with both countries imposing duties exceeding 100% on each other’s exports.
As both Sony and Microsoft manufacture most of their consoles in China, PlayStation and Xbox remain particularly vulnerable to trade policy shifts.
The Value Proposition of Gaming
As the cost of gaming continues to climb, many players are beginning to reflect on the overall value they get from the games they purchase.
After Nintendo announced its upcoming Mario Kart title would cost $80, in addition to a $450 price tag for the new Switch 2 console, fans were outraged.
Despite the current backlash, the franchise, which first emerged in 1992, remains a significant success.
2014’s Mario Kart 8 has sold more than 75 million copies worldwide, and the next installment is expected to perform similarly.
Video game journalist Keith Stuart, writing for The Guardian, argued that gaming is both a product and an experience—something that offers stories and memories beyond its initial purchase.
However, he suggests it’s time for gamers to rethink their relationship with the mainstream industry.
“As prices rise, it’s important for players to carefully consider which AAA titles they purchase at full price,” Stuart wrote. “Exploring a broader range of smaller, independent games can offer unique experiences at much lower costs.”
Adding: “Sony and Nintendo must respond to unpredictable market forces, but we, as consumers, don’t have to follow blindly. We can choose to play a different game.”
Kurt Robson is a London-based reporter at CCN, specialising in the fast-moving worlds of crypto and emerging technology. He began his career covering local news in Cornwall after graduating from Falmouth University with First Class Honours in Journalism. There, he cut his teeth on everything from council meetings to missing swans.
He quickly rose through the ranks to become a frontline journalist at several of the UK’s leading national newspapers. Over the years, he has interviewed musicians and celebrities, reported from courtrooms and crime scenes, and secured multiple front-page exclusives.
Following the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kurt shifted his focus to technology journalism—just ahead of the AI boom. With a natural curiosity and a trained eye for emerging trends, he has found a new rhythm in reporting on innovation.
At CCN, Kurt's work focuses on the cutting edge of crypto, blockchain, AI, and the evolving digital world. Drawing on his background in people-first reporting and his deep interest in disruptive tech, Kurt delivers stories that are insightful, entertaining, and human-centric.
