Gaming
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Price Hikes & Price History (2026)
Updated May 30, 2026 · Researched & fact-checked by Shaheer
Game Pass Ultimate rose from $16.99 to $19.99 in July 2024, then jumped 50% to $29.99 in October 2025, nearly doubling in about 15 months.
At a glance
- Current price
- $29.99 (Ultimate)
- Last increase
- October 1, 2025 (+50%)
- Total change tracked
- +76.5%
- Tracked increases
- 2
Key takeaways
- Game Pass Ultimate rose from $16.99 to $19.99 (July 2024) and then 50% to $29.99 (October 2025).
- It nearly doubled in about 15 months.
- The October 2025 hike was effective immediately for new subscribers; existing subs from November 4.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price increase history
| Date | Plan | Region | Old → New | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2025 | Ultimate | US | $19.99 → $29.99 | +50% | Source |
| July 10, 2024 | Ultimate | US | $16.99 → $19.99 | +17.7% | Source |
What Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs right now
- Ultimate: $29.99 (US)
Why Xbox Game Pass Ultimate nearly doubled
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate went from $16.99 to $19.99 in July 2024 and then jumped 50% to $29.99 in October 2025, nearly doubling in about 15 months, one of the fastest-rising subscriptions tracked here.
Microsoft tied the increase to day-one access to first-party titles like Call of Duty following the Activision Blizzard acquisition, plus added cloud and Ubisoft+ content. The restructuring also reshuffled the lower Game Pass tiers, which makes direct comparison harder.
A 50% increase is the kind that prompts cancellations, but only if you notice it. The new price hit new subscribers immediately and existing ones from November 4, 2025. Tracking your actual charge is the surest way to decide whether it is still worth it.
Frequently asked questions
Did Xbox Game Pass raise its price in 2025?
Yes. In October 2025 Microsoft raised Game Pass Ultimate from $19.99 to $29.99/month, a 50% increase, effective immediately for new subscribers and from November 4 for existing ones.
How much does Xbox Game Pass Ultimate cost now?
As of 2026, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is $29.99/month in the US.
Why did Xbox Game Pass get so expensive?
Microsoft attributed the increase to day-one first-party releases (including Call of Duty after the Activision Blizzard deal) plus added cloud and Ubisoft+ content.