The Athletic is a sports news subscription with a flat monthly or annual fee
The Athletic is a digital sports publication you pay for by subscription. You get access to reporting and analysis across dozens of sports — professional leagues, college sports, and some international coverage — without ads. The service costs money upfront each month or year, unlike free sports news sites that run advertisements.
The subscription model means The Athletic doesn't rely on ad revenue. Instead, you pay directly for the content. This is different from ESPN.com or Yahoo Sports, where you can read some articles free and see ads throughout. With The Athletic, you pay a set price and browse without interruption.
The Athletic was founded in 2016 and acquired by The New York Times Company in 2022. It operates as a standalone subscription separate from a New York Times news subscription — you cannot read The Athletic through a Times subscription, and you do not need a Times account to use The Athletic.
Key Takeaways
- The Athletic charges a monthly subscription fee or a lower annual rate, with occasional promotional pricing for new subscribers.
- You get ad-free access to sports reporting across professional leagues, college sports, and some international coverage on web and mobile apps.
- The subscription does not include live game streaming or ticket sales — it is reporting and analysis only.
- You can cancel your subscription at any time, and the service offers a free trial period for new subscribers to test before paying.
Monthly and annual pricing options
The Athletic offers two payment structures: pay month-to-month, or commit to a year and pay a lower total cost. The monthly price is higher per month than the annual price divided by twelve, so the annual plan costs less overall if you plan to stay subscribed for a full year.
Pricing changes periodically, and The Athletic frequently offers promotional rates for new subscribers — often a discounted first month or a free trial period before charging the regular price. Check The Athletic's website directly for the current price, because promotional offers vary by region and change throughout the year.
If you subscribe through a third-party platform — such as Apple's App Store or Google Play — the price may be slightly higher than the price on The Athletic's website, because those platforms take a percentage of the subscription fee.
What content and features come with a subscription
A subscription gives you access to all articles, analysis, and reporting on The Athletic's website and mobile apps for iOS and Android. You can read on any device, and your subscription works across all of them — log in once and read on your phone, tablet, or computer.
The Athletic covers professional sports including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, and Premier League soccer. It also covers college football and basketball, golf, tennis, and other sports depending on the sport's season and news cycle. Coverage varies by sport — some sports have dedicated reporters and daily coverage, while others are covered less frequently.
The subscription includes podcasts produced by The Athletic, available through the app or through podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Some podcasts are exclusive to subscribers, while others are free to listen to.
You do not get live game streaming, ticket sales, or fantasy sports tools with The Athletic subscription. It is a news and analysis service, not a streaming service or ticketing platform.
How to start and cancel a subscription
To start a subscription, go to The Athletic's website or read the mobile app, then create an account with your email address and choose a payment plan. You will enter payment information (credit card, debit card, or other methods depending on your region) and confirm your subscription. Most new subscribers see a trial period or promotional offer before the regular price begins.
Your subscription renews automatically on the same date each month or year, depending on which plan you chose. The Athletic will charge your payment method on the renewal date unless you cancel before that date.
To cancel, log into your account on The Athletic's website, go to your account settings, and select the option to cancel your subscription. You can usually cancel when ready, and your access continues until the end of your current billing period. You do not lose access mid-month if you cancel — you keep reading until your paid time runs out.
If you subscribed through Apple's App Store or Google Play, you must cancel through that platform's settings, not through The Athletic's website. Go to your app store account settings, find The Athletic subscription, and cancel there.
Free trial and promotional offers
The Athletic regularly offers a free trial period — typically three to seven days — for new subscribers. During the trial, you have full access to all content. The trial ends automatically and your subscription begins charging at the regular price unless you cancel before the trial ends.
Promotional pricing for new subscribers appears frequently, especially around major sporting events or holidays. These offers might be a discounted first month, a percentage off the annual plan, or an extended free trial. The specific offer depends on when you sign up and your location.
Existing subscribers do not usually see these promotional rates when they renew. If you cancel and resubscribe later, you may be offered a promotional rate as a "returning subscriber," but this is not may provide.
What happens to your account if you cancel
When your subscription ends, you lose access to The Athletic's content. You cannot read articles, access the app, or listen to subscriber-exclusive podcasts. Your account remains in the system, so if you resubscribe later, you can log back in with the same email address and password.
The Athletic does not refund unused portions of your subscription if you cancel mid-month or mid-year. You keep access until the end of your current billing period, but you do not receive money back for the days remaining.
Comparing The Athletic to other sports news sources
The Athletic differs from free sports news sites like ESPN.com, Yahoo Sports, and The Sporting News in that you pay a subscription fee and see no advertisements. Free sites show ads between articles and throughout the page, which is how they make money.
Some sports news is also available through general news subscriptions — The New York Times and The Washington Post both cover sports — but The Athletic focuses exclusively on sports reporting. A Times or Post subscription does not include The Athletic, and vice versa.
Sports streaming services like ESPN+ and Peacock offer live games and some original sports content, but they are not primarily news services. The Athletic is reporting and analysis, not live broadcasts. Some people subscribe to both a streaming service for games and The Athletic for news and commentary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my Athletic subscription with family members?
The Athletic's terms of service state that a subscription is for personal use only. Sharing login credentials with people outside your household may violate the terms. The Athletic does not offer a family plan or multi-user account like some streaming services do.
Does The Athletic have a student discount?
The Athletic occasionally offers discounted rates to students, but this is not a permanent program. Check The Athletic's website or sign up page to see if a student discount is currently available in your region.
Can I read The Athletic articles on social media or through email?
The Athletic sends email newsletters to subscribers with headlines and links to articles. You can read the full article by clicking the link and logging into your account. Some articles may be shared on social media, but you typically need a subscription to read the full text.
What payment methods does The Athletic accept?
The Athletic accepts major credit cards and debit cards. If you subscribe through Apple or Google, you can also use payment methods linked to those accounts. Payment methods vary slightly by region.
If I cancel and resubscribe, do I lose my saved articles or preferences?
Your account and saved articles remain in the system after you cancel. When you resubscribe with the same email address, you can log back in and access your saved articles and preferences.