What You Get With a Sports Illustrated Subscription
Sports Illustrated sends you the print magazine weekly or gives you digital access to articles, photos, and video through their website and mobile app. The print edition arrives at your address on a schedule set when you subscribe; the digital version is available immediately after purchase. Both versions cover professional and college sports, with reporting on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college football, college basketball, and other leagues.
The magazine includes feature stories, game coverage, player profiles, and photography. Digital subscribers also get access to SI's archive of past articles and the ability to customize which sports and teams you see. Print and digital subscriptions are separate products — you can buy one or both.
Key Takeaways
- Print subscriptions arrive weekly at your home address; digital subscriptions give you immediate online access through any web browser or the SI mobile app.
- Subscription length varies from one month to multiple years, and the cost per issue drops when you commit to longer terms.
- You can pause, cancel, or change your subscription type at any time through your account on the Sports Illustrated website.
- Print delivery takes one to two weeks to begin after your subscription starts, while digital access begins immediately.
Print Subscription: Cost and Delivery
Print subscriptions are sold in monthly, quarterly, and annual packages. The longer you commit, the lower your per-issue cost. Monthly subscriptions cost more per issue than annual ones, but you can cancel after one month without penalty. Delivery begins one to two weeks after you purchase.
The magazine arrives at the address you provide during signup. If you move, you can update your address through your account online. Print subscriptions renew automatically unless you cancel before the renewal date. You receive a notice by email or mail before renewal, and you can cancel or modify your subscription at that point.
Digital Subscription: Immediate Access
Digital subscriptions start immediately after purchase and do not require a mailing address. You log in with an email and password to read articles, watch video, and browse photos on SI.com or through the Sports Illustrated mobile app for iOS and Android. You can read on any device — phone, tablet, or computer.
Digital subscriptions also renew automatically. You can cancel or pause your subscription anytime through your account settings. If you pause rather than cancel, your subscription freezes and resumes on the date you choose, without charging you during the pause.
How to Start or Change Your Subscription
To start a subscription, go to Sports Illustrated's website and select either print or digital. You will enter your email, create a password, choose your subscription length, and provide payment information. For print, you also provide a mailing address. After payment processes, you receive a confirmation email.
To change your subscription — for example, to add digital to an existing print subscription, or to switch from monthly to annual — log into your account and select "Manage Subscription" or "Billing." You can upgrade, downgrade, or switch between print and digital. Changes take effect on your next billing date.
Payment and Billing
Sports Illustrated accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. Your payment method is charged on the date your subscription renews each month or year, depending on your plan. You receive an email receipt after each charge.
If your payment fails, you receive a notice and a chance to update your payment method before your subscription is paused. You can update your card or PayPal account anytime through your account settings. If you do not update payment information within a set period, your subscription pauses until you provide valid payment.
Cancellation and Refunds
You can cancel your subscription at any time through your account on the Sports Illustrated website. Cancellation takes effect immediately for digital subscriptions. For print subscriptions, cancellation stops future issues but does not refund issues already sent or paid for.
Sports Illustrated does not issue refunds for partial months or unused portions of your subscription. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access until your current billing period ends, then it stops. If you want to pause instead of cancel, you can freeze your subscription for a set number of days and resume later without losing your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for my print subscription to start?
Print subscriptions begin delivery one to two weeks after you purchase. Your first issue may take longer if you subscribe near a publication date. Digital subscriptions start immediately after payment processes.
Can I give a Sports Illustrated subscription as a gift?
Yes. Sports Illustrated offers gift subscriptions through their website. You choose the length and type (print or digital), provide the recipient's name and address or email, and select a start date. The recipient receives a notification that a subscription has been purchased for them.
What happens if I move while I have a print subscription?
Log into your account and update your mailing address. The change takes effect on your next billing cycle. If you need the address changed immediately, contact Sports Illustrated customer service through their website and they can update it manually.
Can I read Sports Illustrated on my phone if I have a print subscription?
No. Print and digital subscriptions are separate. If you have only a print subscription, you can read articles on SI.com for free, but you do not get full digital access. To read on your phone or tablet, you need to purchase a digital subscription separately.
What if I want to cancel my subscription but keep reading online?
If you cancel your print subscription, you can still read some content on SI.com for free, but you will not have full access to all articles and features. To keep full digital access, purchase a digital subscription before you cancel print, or switch to digital instead of canceling entirely.