How Much Does The Athletic Cost in the UK?
The Athletic costs £7.99 per month or £59.99 per year in the UK, providing ad-free, in-depth sports journalism. Owned by The New York Times, The Athletic covers Premier League, EFL, European football, rugby, cricket, F1, and more. According to The Athletic, the platform has over 4 million subscribers globally.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | £7.99 | N/A | Full access, ad-free, podcasts |
| Annual | £4.99/month equiv. | £59.99 | Save 37% vs monthly |
The annual plan saves 37%. The Athletic frequently offers introductory deals (£1/month for 6 months is common). All plans include ad-free articles, podcasts, and live game coverage.
Compare all options on our UK News & Media subscriptions page.
Does The Athletic Auto-Renew?
Yes, auto-renews monthly or annually. Check your subscription through The Athletic app or website. Introductory rates increase to standard pricing automatically.
How to Cancel The Athletic in the UK
- Sign in at theathletic.com or the app
- Go to Account > Subscription
- Select Cancel Subscription
- Confirm — access continues until end of billing period
If subscribed through Apple/Google, cancel through those platforms.
See also our guides to Sky Sports UK subscription and The Times UK subscription.
Is The Athletic Worth It in 2026?
The Athletic offers the best written sports journalism in the UK — in-depth tactical analysis, transfer reporting, and team-specific coverage that broadcast sports cannot match.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Best-in-class sports writing and analysis | £7.99/month is expensive for sports news |
| Completely ad-free | No video or live match streaming |
| Team-specific reporters for every PL club | Some content now paywalled by NYT ownership |
| Excellent football podcasts | Introductory rates expire |
| Covers football, rugby, cricket, F1, and more | Not a replacement for Sky/TNT Sports (no live viewing) |
The Athletic complements TV sports subscriptions — it provides the analysis and storytelling that Sky Sports and TNT Sports do not. The annual plan at £59.99 is good value for daily sports readers.
Track Your Athletic Subscription with Prunely
Prunely lets you add The Athletic to track renewal dates. Set reminders when introductory offers expire. Track alongside all subscriptions — no bank connection needed. Prunely is free for up to 5 subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does The Athletic cost per month?
The Athletic costs £7.99/month or £59.99/year (£4.99/month equivalent). Introductory offers frequently reduce this to £1-2/month for the first 6 months.
Is The Athletic worth it for football fans?
Yes. The Athletic has dedicated reporters for every Premier League club and extensive EFL, European, and women's football coverage. The tactical analysis, transfer reporting, and match-day content are unmatched in UK sports journalism.
Does The Athletic have podcasts?
Yes. The Athletic produces podcasts for major sports including football (The Athletic Football Podcast), F1, NFL, and more. Podcasts are included with all subscriptions and available ad-free.
How do I cancel The Athletic?
Sign in > Account > Subscription > Cancel. If subscribed via Apple/Google, cancel through those platforms. Access continues until end of billing period. Use Prunely to set a reminder.
Is The Athletic owned by The New York Times?
Yes. The New York Times acquired The Athletic in 2022 for $550 million. Editorial independence has been maintained. Some content cross-pollination with NYT exists but The Athletic remains a standalone sports platform.