What the World of Warcraft subscription covers

World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) made by Blizzard Entertainment. To play the game, you pay a monthly subscription fee. This subscription gives you access to the game world, all playable content included in your current expansion, and the ability to create and maintain characters on Blizzard's servers.

The subscription does not include cosmetic items, character boosts, or in-game pets and mounts sold separately through the in-game shop. Those are optional purchases on top of your monthly fee. Your subscription also does not cover the base game purchase itself — you must buy the game once before you can subscribe.

Key Takeaways

  • World of Warcraft costs $14.99 per month in the United States, though the price varies by region and currency.
  • You can pay monthly, or buy three-month or six-month subscriptions upfront at a lower per-month rate.
  • Your subscription includes access to all expansions and content, but cosmetic items and character boosts cost extra.
  • You can pause your subscription at any time, and your characters remain on the server when you return.
  • Blizzard occasionally offers free trial periods, usually for returning players or during promotional events.

Monthly subscription pricing and payment options

In the United States, the standard monthly subscription costs $14.99 per month. Blizzard also offers discounted rates if you commit to longer periods: a three-month subscription costs less per month than paying month-to-month, and a six-month subscription costs even less per month. The exact discounted prices change occasionally, so check the subscription page in your Battle.net account to see current rates.

Prices vary outside the United States. European players, for example, pay in euros, and the amount differs from the dollar equivalent. If you play from a different region, log into your Battle.net account and select your region to see the price in your local currency.

You can change your subscription length at any time. If you are on a monthly plan and want to switch to six months, you can do that when ready. If you are partway through a longer subscription and cancel, you keep access until that subscription period ends — Blizzard does not refund the unused portion.

What happens when your subscription expires

When your subscription ends, you lose the ability to log into the game and play your characters. However, your characters do not disappear. They remain stored on Blizzard's servers indefinitely. If you resubscribe later, your characters, items, and progress are exactly as you left them.

You can let your subscription lapse without penalty. Many players take breaks for months or years and return later. There is no "account deletion" that happens automatically after a certain time without play.

Optional purchases on top of your subscription

The in-game shop sells cosmetic items that do not affect gameplay: character skins, mounts, pets, and emotes. These range from a few dollars to around $20 depending on the item. You can browse the shop from within the game or from the Battle.net website.

Character boosts are also sold separately. These let you skip the leveling process and jump a character to the current maximum level. A single character boost typically costs around $15, though the exact price varies. Some expansions include a free character boost with purchase, so new players sometimes get one without paying extra.

None of these optional purchases are necessary to play or enjoy the game. They are purely cosmetic or convenience items.

How to set up and manage your subscription

To start a subscription, you need a Battle.net account (Blizzard's account system). Create one at Battle.net, then purchase the base game through the Blizzard Shop or a third-party retailer. Once you own the game, you can add a subscription from within your account settings.

You can manage your subscription from the Battle.net website under Account Settings. From there, you can change your subscription length, pause your subscription temporarily, or cancel it entirely. Changes take effect when ready for new subscriptions, or at the end of your current billing period if you are canceling.

Blizzard accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. You can also use Battle.net balance, which you load with money beforehand. If your payment method fails, Blizzard will attempt to charge you again, and your account will be suspended if payment is not received within a grace period.

Free trial periods and returning player offers

Blizzard occasionally offers free trial access to the game. These trials usually last 7 to 10 days and let you play up to a certain character level. Trial accounts have some restrictions — you cannot join guilds, use the auction house, or send mail to other players — but they give you a real sense of the game before paying.

Players who have not subscribed in a long time sometimes receive promotional offers in their email, such as a discounted first month or a few free days of play. These are sent by Blizzard directly and appear in your Battle.net account notifications. You do not need to do anything to receive them — Blizzard sends them automatically to inactive accounts.

Regional pricing and currency differences

World of Warcraft pricing varies by region. The United States uses dollars, Europe uses euros, and other regions have their own currencies. Blizzard sets prices to be roughly equivalent in purchasing power, but the exact amount in your local currency depends on exchange rates and regional pricing decisions.

If you travel or move to a different region, your subscription price may change when you update your account location. Log into Battle.net and check your subscription page to see the current price for your region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play World of Warcraft without a subscription?

No. You must have an active subscription to log in and play. However, Blizzard occasionally offers free trial periods that let you play for a limited time without paying.

Do I lose my characters if I cancel my subscription?

No. Your characters stay on the server permanently. When you resubscribe, everything is exactly as you left it. There is no time limit on how long you can be away.

Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling it?

Yes. From your Battle.net account settings, you can pause your subscription for up to 90 days. During that time, you cannot play, but you are not charged. After 90 days, the pause expires and you must either resubscribe or let the account remain inactive.

What is the difference between the subscription and the in-game shop?

Your subscription gives you access to play the game and all its content. The in-game shop sells optional cosmetic items and character boosts that do not affect gameplay. You do not need to buy anything from the shop to enjoy the game.

Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?

Blizzard does not refund unused subscription time. If you cancel a monthly subscription on the 15th of the month, you keep access until the end of that month, but you do not get money back for the remaining days.