World of Warcraft subscription costs $14.99 per month in the United States

World of Warcraft charges a single monthly subscription rate of $14.99 USD for access to the game. This is the standard subscription tier and covers all content, including the base game and all expansions released to date. You pay the same amount whether you are a new player or returning after years away — there is no separate tier for different experience levels.

Blizzard Entertainment, the company that makes World of Warcraft, also offers a six-month prepaid option at $89.94 USD (equivalent to $14.99 per month) and a one-month option at the same $14.99 rate. The pricing does not change based on how far you have progressed in the game or which expansion you own. If you cancel your subscription, you lose access to all characters on that account until you resubscribe.

Subscription pricing varies outside the United States. Players in Europe pay €12.99 per month, and players in other regions pay in their local currency at rates set by Blizzard. The company adjusts these prices periodically, so the amount you see when you log in to your account is the current rate for your region.

Key Takeaways

  • The standard World of Warcraft subscription costs $14.99 per month in the United States and includes all expansions and game content.
  • You can pay monthly or prepay for six months at $89.94 USD, with no discount for the longer commitment.
  • Subscription pricing is different in Europe (€12.99 per month) and other regions, shown in local currency.
  • Your characters remain on your account when you cancel, but you cannot log in or play until you resubscribe.
  • World of Warcraft does not charge separate fees for expansions or major content updates once you have an active subscription.

What the subscription includes

Your monthly subscription gives you access to the entire game world, all playable classes and races, and every expansion released since the game launched in 2004. This includes Dragonflight (the current expansion as of 2024), Shadowlands, Battle for Azeroth, Legion, Warlords of Draenor, Mists of Pandaria, Cataclysm, Wrath of the Lich King, and The Burning Crusade. You do not pay extra to access older expansions or to level characters through them.

The subscription also covers access to all dungeons, raids, player-versus-player zones, and seasonal content that Blizzard releases throughout the year. When Blizzard adds new zones, story chapters, or raid tiers, subscribers receive them as part of their monthly fee. You can create up to 50 characters per realm and switch between them freely.

The subscription does not include cosmetic items, character boosts, or convenience services. Those are sold separately through the in-game shop using a separate currency called Blizzard Balance, which you purchase with real money. A character boost (which levels a new character to near the current maximum level) typically costs $15 to $20 USD depending on the expansion.

How to pay and manage your subscription

You manage your World of Warcraft subscription through your Battle.net account, which is Blizzard's unified login system for all their games. When you create a World of Warcraft account, you link it to a Battle.net account and add a payment method — credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Blizzard charges your payment method automatically on the same date each month (or every six months if you prepaid).

You can cancel your subscription at any time through the Battle.net website under Account Settings. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period, so if you cancel mid-month, you keep access until the next billing date. If you want to pause without cancelling, you can let your subscription lapse and reactivate it later — your characters and items remain on your account indefinitely.

If your payment method fails or expires, Blizzard sends email reminders before your subscription lapses. Once it lapses, you lose access to your characters until you resubscribe and your payment goes through. Blizzard does not offer refunds for partial months if you cancel mid-cycle.

Regional pricing and currency

World of Warcraft subscription rates are set by region. In the United States, the rate is $14.99 USD per month. In Europe, it is €12.99 per month. In other regions — including the United Kingdom, Australia, and parts of Asia — Blizzard sets prices in local currency. These prices are not always equivalent when converted to US dollars; Blizzard adjusts them based on regional economic factors and payment processing costs.

If you move to a different region or change your Battle.net account region, your subscription rate may change. Blizzard typically applies the new regional rate at your next billing date. You can check your current subscription rate and region in your Battle.net account settings under Subscriptions.

Trial accounts and free-to-play restrictions

World of Warcraft offers a free trial that does not require a subscription. Trial accounts can create characters and play up to level 20, with restrictions on gold earned, guilds joined, and in-game communication. The trial is permanent — you can keep playing at level 20 without paying, but you cannot progress further or access most of the game's content.

To play beyond level 20 or access expansions, you must have an active subscription. There is no separate purchase option for individual expansions; the subscription is the only way to unlock full access. Once you subscribe, you when ready gain access to all expansions and all content released since the game launched.

Price changes and history

Blizzard has raised the World of Warcraft subscription price twice in the game's history. The original price when the game launched in 2004 was $14.99 per month. In 2022, Blizzard raised the price to $14.99 USD in the United States (the rate remained the same, but the company adjusted regional pricing in other areas). The most recent adjustment occurred in 2024, when some regions saw price increases, though the US rate has remained $14.99 per month.

Blizzard typically announces price changes in advance through official channels and gives players notice before the new rate takes effect. If you have an active subscription when a price increase happens, the new rate applies at your next billing date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay for expansions separately?

No. Your subscription includes all expansions automatically. You do not purchase expansions individually — the monthly fee covers everything released since the game launched, including the current expansion and all previous ones.

What happens to my characters if I cancel my subscription?

Your characters remain on your account permanently. They do not delete, and you can log back in and play them whenever you resubscribe. You straightforward cannot access them while your subscription is inactive.

Can I play World of Warcraft without a subscription?

Yes, through the free trial up to level 20. To play beyond that level or access expansions and endgame content, you need an active subscription. There is no other free-to-play option for the full game.

Is there a discount for paying multiple months upfront?

No. The six-month prepaid option costs $89.94 USD, which is exactly six months at $14.99 per month — the same rate as paying monthly. Blizzard does not offer a bulk discount for longer commitments.

Can I use game time cards instead of a credit card?

World of Warcraft game time cards are no longer sold as a primary payment method in most regions. You can only purchase subscription time through Battle.net using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal linked to your account.