Sports Illustrated subscription basics
Sports Illustrated offers digital and print subscriptions through its website and third-party retailers. A digital subscription gives you access to SI.com articles, videos, and the SI+ membership tier, which removes ads and unlocks exclusive content. Print subscriptions deliver the magazine to your home on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule, depending on your plan. You can also combine both formats if you want the physical magazine plus online access.
Pricing and plan length vary. Digital subscriptions typically cost less than print, and both often have introductory rates for the first few months before the regular price kicks in. You can usually pause or cancel your subscription at any time, though the terms depend on whether you subscribed directly through SI or through a third-party service like Amazon or Apple News+.
Key Takeaways
- Digital subscriptions to SI.com and SI+ are cheaper than print and start immediately after purchase.
- Print subscriptions take one to two weeks to arrive after you order and renew automatically unless you cancel.
- Introductory rates are common but expire after the promotional period, so check what your renewal price will be before you subscribe.
- You can manage, pause, or cancel your subscription through your account settings on SI.com or through the retailer where you subscribed.
How to start a digital subscription
Go to SI.com and look for the subscription or membership option, usually in the top navigation or a banner on the homepage. Click through to see the available plans — typically a free tier with limited articles, a digital subscription with full access, and SI+ with ad-free reading and exclusive features. Choose your plan and enter your email address and payment method.
After you complete the purchase, you will receive a confirmation email with your login credentials. Use those to sign into your account on SI.com and start reading immediately. Your subscription renews automatically on the same date each month or year, depending on which plan you chose. Check your account settings to see your renewal date and current plan details.
How to start a print subscription
Print subscriptions are available directly from SI.com or through retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and magazine subscription services. If you order through SI.com, navigate to the print subscription section, select your plan length (usually 12 months, 6 months, or shorter), and provide your delivery address and payment information. Your first issue will arrive within one to two weeks.
If you subscribe through a third-party retailer, the process is similar but your account is managed through that retailer's website instead of SI.com. Make a note of where you subscribed so you know where to go if you need to make changes. Print subscriptions also renew automatically, so mark your calendar or check your account a few weeks before renewal if you want to cancel.
Combining digital and print
Some subscription plans bundle digital access with a print subscription, giving you both SI.com and the magazine. These combo plans cost more than digital alone but less than buying both separately. Check the plan details when you are choosing your subscription to see whether digital access is included or available as an add-on.
If you already have a digital subscription and want to add print, or vice versa, you can often upgrade through your account settings. Log into SI.com, go to your subscription or account page, and look for an option to add or change your plan. If you subscribed through a third party, contact that retailer's customer service to discuss adding another format.
Managing your subscription and billing
Your subscription account lives in one of two places: on SI.com if you subscribed directly, or on the retailer's website if you subscribed through Amazon, Apple News+, or another service. To find your account, log into the site where you subscribed and look for "Account," "Subscription," or "Membership" in the menu. From there you can view your plan details, renewal date, and payment method.
Your billing statement will show up on your credit card or bank account on your renewal date each month or year. If you want to change your payment method, pause your subscription, or cancel, do it through your account settings before the renewal date. Some services allow you to pause for a month or two without canceling entirely, which can be useful if you want a break but plan to return later.
Canceling or pausing your subscription
To cancel a subscription you purchased directly from SI.com, log into your account, find your subscription settings, and select the cancel option. You will usually be asked to confirm and may see a retention offer — a discount to keep you subscribed. If you cancel before your renewal date, your access continues until that date, then stops. If you cancel after renewal, you may be charged for the new period, though some services offer refunds within a certain window.
If you subscribed through a third party like Amazon or Apple News+, you must cancel through that service, not through SI.com. Log into your account on Amazon, Apple, or wherever you subscribed, find your subscriptions, and cancel from there. The process is similar — you confirm the cancellation and your access ends on your next renewal date. Keep your confirmation email as proof in case you need to dispute a charge later.
Troubleshooting common subscription issues
If you are not receiving your print magazine, check your account to make sure your delivery address is correct and your subscription is active. Print delivery can take one to two weeks from the order date, and issues may be delayed by weather or postal service disruptions. If you have been waiting longer than that, contact SI customer service with your subscription number and delivery address.
If you are charged twice or see an unexpected charge, log into your account and check your renewal date and plan details. Sometimes a charge appears to be a duplicate when it is actually a renewal you forgot about. If the charge is genuinely an error, contact the customer service team for the site where you subscribed — SI.com, Amazon, Apple, or your third-party retailer — with your order number and the date of the charge. Most services can issue a refund if the error is confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a free trial of Sports Illustrated?
SI sometimes offers free trial periods for new subscribers, usually lasting a week or a month. Check the subscription page when you are signing up to see if a trial is available. Keep in mind that your payment method will be required to start the trial, and you will be charged when the trial ends unless you cancel before that date.
What is the difference between SI+ and a regular digital subscription?
SI+ is an ad-free version of SI.com with exclusive articles, video content, and other premium features. A regular digital subscription gives you full access to SI.com but includes ads. SI+ costs more but is worth it if you read SI frequently and want a cleaner experience without interruptions.
Can I share my subscription with family members?
Most digital subscriptions are for individual use only, and sharing login credentials violates the terms of service. Some services offer family plans or household sharing options — check your plan details or contact customer service to see if that is available. Print subscriptions can only be delivered to one address, so a second subscription would be needed for another household.
What happens if I move and need to change my delivery address?
Log into your account and update your address in your subscription settings. The change usually takes effect with your next issue. If you are moving soon and want to pause delivery during the transition, you can do that through your account as well. Contact customer service if you need the change to happen immediately or if you have issues with delivery to your new address.
Do I need a Sports Illustrated subscription to read articles on SI.com?
No. SI.com allows you to read a limited number of free articles each month. A digital subscription or SI+ removes that limit and gives you full access to all content. If you hit your free article limit, you will see a prompt to subscribe or log in if you already have an account.