What a Sports Illustrated subscription includes
A Sports Illustrated subscription gives you access to sports news, analysis, and photography through the magazine itself or through SI.com, depending on which plan you choose. The magazine arrives in print at your home on a schedule (usually weekly during the regular season, less frequently in off-season months). The digital version at SI.com includes breaking news, video, and articles that update throughout the day — content that does not appear in the print edition.
Sports Illustrated covers professional and college sports across all major leagues: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college football, college basketball, soccer, and others. The magazine also publishes long-form investigative pieces, player profiles, and historical retrospectives. Print subscribers can read the magazine on their own schedule; digital subscribers can read on any device with a web browser or through the Sports Illustrated mobile app.
Key Takeaways
- Sports Illustrated offers print subscriptions, digital subscriptions, and combined plans, each with different costs and renewal terms.
- Print magazines arrive on a weekly or less frequent schedule depending on the season, while digital content updates daily on SI.com and the mobile app.
- Subscription prices and promotional offers change regularly, so the cost you see today may differ from what a new subscriber pays next month.
- You can manage your subscription, pause delivery, or cancel through your account on SI.com or by contacting customer service directly.
Print, digital, and combination subscription options
Sports Illustrated sells three main types of subscriptions. A print subscription delivers the physical magazine to your address. A digital subscription gives you access to SI.com and the mobile app but no print magazine. A combination subscription (sometimes called "print plus digital") includes both the magazine and full digital access.
Print subscriptions typically cost more than digital alone because of printing and mailing costs. Combination subscriptions cost more than print alone. The exact prices vary depending on promotional offers running at the time you subscribe. New subscribers often see lower introductory rates than renewal rates. If you are unsure which option suits you, consider whether you prefer reading on paper or screen, how much time you have to read, and whether you want breaking news throughout the day (digital) or a curated weekly summary (print).
How subscription length and renewal work
Sports Illustrated subscriptions are sold in terms of one year, two years, or sometimes shorter promotional periods. When you place an order, you pay upfront for the entire term. At the end of that term, your subscription automatically renews unless you cancel it beforehand. The renewal price is often higher than the introductory price you paid when you first subscribed.
You can cancel or pause your subscription at any time through your account settings on SI.com. If you cancel before your term ends, you do not receive a refund for the unused portion — this is standard across magazine subscriptions. If you want to pause delivery temporarily (for example, during a move), you can do that through your account without canceling entirely. When you are ready to resume, you can restart delivery for the remaining time on your subscription.
Accessing digital content and the mobile app
If your subscription includes digital access, you log into SI.com with the email address and password you created when you subscribed. Your account shows your subscription status and renewal date. From there, you can read articles, watch videos, and browse photo galleries without additional paywalls.
The Sports Illustrated mobile app is available on iOS and Android. You log in with the same account credentials. The app lets you read offline by downloading articles, receive push notifications for breaking news, and customize which sports and teams you follow. If you have a print-only subscription, you do not have access to the digital content or app — you would need to upgrade to a digital or combination plan to unlock those features.
Managing your account and making changes
You manage your Sports Illustrated subscription through your account on SI.com. Log in, go to your account settings, and you can view your current plan, renewal date, and billing information. From there you can update your mailing address (for print subscriptions), change your password, or modify your email preferences for newsletters and notifications.
If you want to upgrade from print-only to a combination plan, or downgrade from combination to digital-only, you can make that change through your account. The cost difference is usually prorated based on the time remaining on your current subscription. If you cannot find what you need in your account settings, Sports Illustrated customer service can help — contact information is available on the SI.com website, typically through a "Contact Us" or "Help" link.
What happens if you move or your address changes
Update your mailing address through your account on SI.com as soon as you know it. If you move and do not update your address, magazines may be returned to Sports Illustrated undelivered, and you could miss issues. The update takes effect on the next scheduled shipment, which may be a week or two away depending on the publication schedule.
If you are moving temporarily (for example, for work or school), you can pause your print delivery through your account and restart it when you return. This is simpler than updating your address twice. If a magazine arrives at your old address after you have moved, contact customer service with your subscription number and they can arrange a replacement or credit.
Promotional offers and pricing variations
Sports Illustrated runs different promotional offers throughout the year. New subscribers may see rates significantly lower than the standard price. These introductory rates typically explore only to your first term; renewal rates are higher. Promotional offers also vary by subscription type — a print promotion might not explore to digital, for example.
Prices and offers change regularly and depend on when you subscribe. There is no single "correct" price to expect. If you see an offer that interests you, that price applies to your order at that moment. If you wait, the offer may expire and a different price may be in effect. You can always cancel before your renewal date if you decide the subscription is not worth the renewal price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I give a Sports Illustrated subscription as a gift?
Yes. Sports Illustrated offers gift subscriptions through SI.com. You provide the recipient's name and mailing address (for print) or email (for digital), and you pay for the subscription upfront. The recipient receives a notification that a subscription has been purchased for them. Gift subscriptions work the same way as regular subscriptions and renew at the standard renewal rate unless canceled.
What if I do not receive an issue of the magazine?
Contact Sports Illustrated customer service with your subscription number and the issue date you missed. They can send a replacement copy or issue a credit toward your subscription. Delivery delays can happen due to mail delays or address issues, so reporting it quickly helps them investigate and prevent future problems.
Can I read my print subscription online?
No, not automatically. Print-only subscriptions do not include digital access. However, you can upgrade to a combination plan through your account to add digital access. Some print subscribers also receive a digital edition of the magazine (a PDF version of the print issue), but this varies by subscription type — check your account or contact customer service to confirm what you have.
How do I cancel my subscription?
Log into your account on SI.com, go to your subscription settings, and select the cancel option. You can also contact customer service by phone or email using the contact information on the SI.com website. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing term — you do not receive a refund for unused time.
What if my credit card expires before my subscription renews?
Update your payment method through your account settings before the expiration date. If your card expires and you do not update it, your renewal may fail and your subscription could lapse. Sports Illustrated usually sends a reminder email before renewal, but it is your responsibility to may support your payment information is current.