Xbox Game PassExplainer
Trending
Game Pass price in 2026: Ultimate costs $22.99 a month after the April cut, plus every plan and the new cloud limits
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs $22.99 a month in the US, according to Microsoft's store as of Oct. 18, 2026. Microsoft cut it from $29.99 on April 21, 2026, and cut PC Game Pass from $16.49 to $13.99 a month the same day. Game Pass Premium costs $14.99 a month and Game Pass Essential $9.99. With the price cut, Microsoft said new Call of Duty games no longer join Ultimate or PC Game Pass at launch, and arrive about a year later instead. Starting in November 2026, every plan also gets a monthly cap on cloud gaming: 15 hours on Ultimate, 10 on Premium and 5 on Essential, with extra hours for sale through the Xbox Store.
- Xbox
- PC
Game Pass costs less than it did in the spring, but with new limits. Here’s what every plan costs and what changed in 2026.
How much is Game Pass in 2026?
In the US, Game Pass Ultimate costs $22.99 a month, PC Game Pass $13.99, Game Pass Premium $14.99 and Game Pass Essential $9.99, according to Microsoft’s store as of Oct. 18, 2026. Prices are before tax.
Ultimate is the plan with everything: Microsoft lists hundreds of games on Xbox console and PC, current Call of Duty titles, in-game benefits, online console multiplayer, cloud gaming and major day one releases. PC Game Pass covers PC, and Premium and Essential are the lower-priced plans.
Game Pass Ultimate price
Ultimate costs $22.99 a month. Microsoft’s store also sells prepaid memberships at $68.99 for three months, $137.99 for six months and $275.99 for 12 months, so paying ahead doesn’t save money. A 12-month Ultimate membership costs about as much as four new $69.99 games.
The April 2026 price cut
On April 21, 2026, Microsoft cut Game Pass Ultimate from $29.99 to $22.99 a month and PC Game Pass from $16.49 to $13.99, saying prices may vary by region. It said the change responds to a lot of player feedback.
The cut came with a trade-off. Starting in 2026, new Call of Duty games no longer join Ultimate or PC Game Pass at launch. They’re added during the following holiday season, about a year later, while the Call of Duty games already in the library stay. That’s why Modern Warfare 4, out Oct. 23, 2026, isn’t on Game Pass until holiday 2027; our Modern Warfare 4 release date page has the details.
PC Game Pass, Premium and Essential
PC Game Pass costs $13.99 a month, or $167.99 for 12 months. Game Pass Premium costs $14.99 a month, and Game Pass Essential costs $9.99 a month or $79.99 for 12 months. Our new on Game Pass page tracks the games joining each month.
Cloud gaming limits from November
Microsoft said on Sept. 3, 2026, that starting in November, each plan includes a set number of cloud gaming hours a month: 15 on Ultimate, 10 on Premium and 5 on Essential. Once those hours run out, players can buy more cloud playtime through the Xbox Store. Microsoft expects the change to affect 4% of subscribers, admitted that for some players the practical result is a higher cost and said it will share prices before the limits start.
From the same month, players can also buy cloud playtime without a subscription and stream eligible games they own. Our Xbox Cloud Gaming hour limits page explains how it works.
Game Pass prices in the UK, Canada, Japan and Australia
Microsoft’s stores list these monthly prices as of Oct. 18. In the UK, Ultimate costs £16.99, PC Game Pass and Premium £10.99 each and Essential £6.99. In Canada, Ultimate costs C$25.99, PC Game Pass C$16.99, Premium C$17.99 and Essential C$13.99.
In Japan, Ultimate costs ¥1,550, PC Game Pass and Premium ¥1,300 each and Essential ¥850. In Australia, Ultimate costs A$25.95, PC Game Pass A$16.95, Premium A$17.95 and Essential A$12.95.
If you’re buying a console to go with it, our Xbox Series X price page has every model.
This page is updated as soon as Microsoft changes Game Pass prices or publishes the price of extra cloud gaming hours.
Official images
1
FAQ
How much is Game Pass Ultimate?
$22.99 a month in the US. Microsoft’s store also sells prepaid Ultimate memberships at $68.99 for three months, $137.99 for six months and $275.99 for 12 months, so there’s no discount for paying ahead.
How much is PC Game Pass?
$13.99 a month in the US, or $167.99 for 12 months on Microsoft’s store.
How much are Game Pass Premium and Essential?
Game Pass Premium costs $14.99 a month and Game Pass Essential $9.99 a month. Essential also comes as a 12-month membership for $79.99.
Did Game Pass get cheaper?
Yes. On April 21, 2026, Microsoft cut Game Pass Ultimate from $29.99 to $22.99 a month and PC Game Pass from $16.49 to $13.99. Prices vary by region.
Is Call of Duty still on Game Pass?
Existing Call of Duty games in the library stay. New ones don’t join Ultimate or PC Game Pass at launch and are added during the following holiday season, about a year later. Modern Warfare 4, out Oct. 23, 2026, joins Game Pass in holiday 2027.
Is cloud gaming still unlimited on Game Pass?
Until November 2026. Starting that month, Ultimate includes 15 hours of cloud gaming a month, Premium 10 and Essential 5. Players can buy extra hours through the Xbox Store, and Microsoft says it will share prices before the change.
How much does Game Pass cost in the UK?
Ultimate costs £16.99 a month, PC Game Pass and Premium £10.99 each and Essential £6.99, on Microsoft’s UK store as of Oct. 18, 2026.
What do you get with Game Pass Ultimate?
Microsoft lists hundreds of games on Xbox console and PC, including current Call of Duty titles, in-game benefits, online console multiplayer, cloud gaming and major day one releases.
Pop quiz
1 questions from this story.
How much did Game Pass Ultimate cost before Microsoft’s April 2026 price cut?
Microsoft cut Game Pass Ultimate from $29.99 to $22.99 a month on April 21, 2026.
Your call
Which Game Pass plan do you pay for?
