What the Weekend Subscription includes
The New York Times Weekend Subscription gives you access to the full Times website and app, but only on Saturdays and Sundays. You can read as many articles as you want on those two days each week. On weekdays (Monday through Friday), your access stops — you won't be able to read articles, watch videos, or use the Times app.
This plan includes the same content as the full digital subscription: news, opinion, investigations, recipes, games like the crossword and Spelling Bee, and access to the Times audio app. The only difference is the days you can use it. You get the same login across web and mobile, and you can save articles to read later (though you can only view them on your weekend access days).
Key Takeaways
- The Weekend Subscription lets you read the Times on Saturdays and Sundays only, with no access Monday through Friday.
- The price is lower than a full digital subscription because you have fewer access days, though the exact cost varies by region and current promotions.
- You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings without penalty.
- If you upgrade to a full digital subscription later, the Times will credit any unused portion of your Weekend plan toward the new price.
How much the Weekend Subscription costs
The Weekend Subscription costs less than the full digital subscription, but the exact price depends on where you live and what promotional offer is running when you sign up. The Times regularly changes introductory rates and regional pricing. You can see the current price on the Times subscription page before you enter any payment information.
Most Weekend plans renew automatically each month on the same date you signed up. You'll be charged the full regular price after any introductory period ends, unless you cancel before that date. The Times will send you an email reminder a few days before your renewal date so you know what you're being charged.
How to sign up for the Weekend Subscription
Go to nytimes.com/subscribe and look for the Weekend plan option. You'll see it listed alongside the full digital subscription and other plans. Click on the Weekend option and enter your email address. The Times will ask you to create a password or sign in if you already have an account.
Next, enter your payment method — a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account. You'll see the introductory price (if one is available) and the renewal price clearly displayed before you confirm. Once you complete the purchase, you can start reading when ready. The Times will send you a confirmation email with your receipt and login details.
How to manage or cancel your Weekend Subscription
Log into your Times account at nytimes.com and go to "Account" in the top right corner. Select "Manage my account" and then "Subscription." You'll see your current plan, renewal date, and payment method. From this page, you can pause your subscription for up to four weeks or cancel it entirely.
If you pause, your subscription will automatically resume after the pause period ends unless you cancel it first. If you cancel, you'll lose access at the end of your current billing period — the Times won't charge you again. You can restart a Weekend Subscription at any time by going back to the subscription page and signing up again.
Upgrading from Weekend to a full digital subscription
If you decide you want access every day, you can upgrade to the full digital subscription from your account settings. Go to "Manage my account," select "Subscription," and look for the upgrade option. The Times will calculate how much of your Weekend plan you've already paid for and credit that amount toward the full subscription price.
The upgrade takes effect when ready, and you'll have full access starting that same day. Your new renewal date will be one month from the upgrade date, and you'll be charged the full digital subscription price at that time. You won't be double-charged for the overlap — the Times handles the proration automatically.
What happens if you don't use your Weekend access
If you find you're not reading on weekends, you can pause or cancel your subscription without any penalty. There's no minimum commitment — you're not locked into paying for a certain number of months. The Times doesn't charge extra fees for pausing or canceling, and you won't lose your account or saved articles if you come back later.
If you pause and then decide to restart, you can do so from your account page. Your saved articles and reading history will still be there. If you cancel and sign up again months later, you may see a different introductory offer than you did the first time.
Weekend Subscription vs. other Times plans
The Times offers several subscription options. The full digital subscription costs more but gives you access every day. The bundle subscription includes both digital access and a print newspaper subscription (daily, weekend, or both) and costs more than digital alone. The student subscription is a discounted digital plan for college students with a valid .edu email address.
The Weekend plan makes sense if you mainly read the Times on Saturdays and Sundays and don't need weekday access. If you find yourself wanting to read on weekdays, upgrading to the full digital plan is straightforward and the Times will credit your Weekend payment. If you want the print newspaper, the bundle might be a better value than buying digital and print separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read the Times for free on weekends if I don't have a subscription?
No. The Times limits free articles to a small number each month for all readers, regardless of the day. The Weekend Subscription is the only way to read unlimited articles on Saturdays and Sundays. You can still read some articles free during the week, but you won't have full access.
What if I want to cancel but I'm in the middle of a promotional rate?
You can cancel at any time, even during an introductory offer period. You won't be charged again after you cancel, and you'll keep access through the end of your current billing cycle. The Times doesn't charge early termination fees or require you to pay the full regular price.
Do I get the Times games and recipes with the Weekend Subscription?
Yes. Games like the crossword, Spelling Bee, and Letter Boxed, plus recipes and other Times content, are included with the Weekend plan on your access days. You can play and save games on weekends just like a full subscriber can, but you won't be able to access them on weekdays.
Can I share my Weekend Subscription login with family members?
The Times terms of service say subscriptions are for personal use only. Sharing login credentials with people outside your household may violate the terms. The Times does offer a family plan (part of some bundle options) that lets multiple household members have their own logins under one subscription.
What if I have a problem accessing the Times on a weekend?
Check that you're logged in to your account — sometimes the app logs you out automatically. Make sure your subscription hasn't been paused or canceled. If you're still having trouble, go to nytimes.com/help or contact Times customer service through the "Contact us" link in your account settings. They can troubleshoot access issues or check your subscription status.