If you’re an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, you might want to sit down for this one. Major changes are coming to Microsoft’s subscription service beginning October 1, 2025 — and while some tiers are staying put, others are making a noticeable price increase across the globe.
Microsoft recently announced a revamped naming structure for Xbox Game Pass, alongside a reshuffling of features and — yep, you guessed it — new pricing. The shift sees Core and Standard becoming Game Pass Essential and Game Pass Premium, with Ultimate and PC Game Pass getting the biggest tweaks to their costs. Read more here about the new Xbox Game Pass tiers.
So, what’s actually changing — and more importantly, what will it cost you? Let’s break down the new prices by region.
Xbox Game Pass prices starting October 1, 2025
| Xbox Game Pass Tier | UK | US | Canada | Europe | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game Pass Essential | £6.99 | $9.99 | $13.99 | €8.99 | $12.95 |
| Game Pass Premium | £10.99 | $14.99 | $17.99 | €12.99 | $17.95 |
| Game Pass Ultimate | £22.99 | $29.99 | $33.99 | €26.99 | $39.95 |
| PC Game Pass | £13.49 | $16.49 | $19.99 | €14.99 | $19.45 |
What’s not changing
Let’s start with the silver lining: Game Pass Essential and Premium are not increasing in price. This is true for all regions listed above — including the UK, US, Canada, Europe, and Australia.
Not only are the prices staying the same, but both tiers are also gaining new perks. Essential continues to offer online multiplayer, a curated library, and access to cloud gaming — basically, everything new players need to dive in. Premium steps things up with access to Xbox-published titles within a year of launch, cloud gaming, and added flexibility.
What’s going up, and by how much?
Alright, here’s where things get a little heavier.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
An increase is hitting hard for Ultimate. In the UK, the monthly cost jumps from £14.99 to £22.99, and in the US, it’s up from $19.99 to $29.99. That is a substantial hike, though it comes with a silver lining: Ultimate now grants access to the Ubisoft+ Classics catalogue, and an upgraded cloud gaming experience — features that could strongly appeal to hardcore and multi-platform players.
PC Game Pass
Meanwhile, PC players aren’t escaping the price increase either. PC Game Pass has increased from £9.99 to £13.49 in the UK and $11.99 to $16.49 in the US. While the features for PC Game Pass aren’t being drastically changed, players might find the sharper price point harder to justify unless more content or perks are added in the future.
Why the change now?
In a post on Xbox Wire, Microsoft explained the reasoning behind the new pricing tiers:
“With the latest upgrades, Ultimate is now priced at $29.99/month, reflecting the expanded catalog, new partner benefits, and upgraded cloud gaming experience. Standard subscribers will be upgraded to Premium, remaining at $14.99/month, offering exceptional value for players who want flexibility and access to new Xbox-published titles within a year of launch. Core subscribers will be upgraded to Essential, remaining at $9.99/month, providing a curated library, online multiplayer, and cloud gaming for those who want to jump in and start playing.”
Where to check your local pricing
If your region wasn’t listed above and you’re curious (or anxious) about local price changes, your best bet is to head to the official Xbox Game Pass sign-up page. Microsoft adjusts pricing by market conditions and currency rates, so costs may vary significantly elsewhere.
Is it still worth it?
That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? While the new features and updates arguably make Game Pass Ultimate more robust than ever, it’s undeniably a heavier investment — especially for those who game casually or strictly on PC.
For long-time Xbox fans and subscription loyalists, the answer may still be yes. With day-one titles, cloud saves, cross-platform syncing, and now Ubisoft+ Classics in the mix, Ultimate continues to deliver a serious bang for your buck — even with the price bump.
But if budget’s tight or you’re not in love with Xbox’s ecosystem? You may want to re-evaluate just how often you’re dipping into the catalog before committing long-term.
Game Pass has long held the crown as the best value service in gaming, and while the 2025 price adjustments might shake up that perception a little, Microsoft seems confident that the new content and added features justify the increases.
Whether you stay onboard or jump ship, make sure to weigh your options — because starting October 1, you’re going to feel those new prices.