The Athletic is a sports news subscription that costs $12 per month or $120 per year after a free trial period

The Athletic is a digital sports journalism service owned by Amazon that charges a monthly or annual fee for access to reporting on professional and college sports. After a free trial (usually seven days), the subscription renews automatically each month at $12 or you can pay $120 upfront for a year, which works out to $10 per month. There is no free tier — all content requires an active subscription.

The service covers major leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS) and college sports, with dedicated reporters assigned to individual teams rather than general beat coverage. You access it through a web browser or mobile app on iOS and Android. The subscription is individual; there is no family plan or household sharing option.

Key Takeaways

  • The Athletic costs $12 per month or $120 per year after a trial period, with no free content tier available.
  • The service employs beat reporters who cover specific teams, so coverage depth varies by team and sport based on which reporters are assigned.
  • You can cancel anytime, and the subscription does not automatically renew if you let it lapse.
  • The Athletic does not include video highlights or live game streaming — it is text and audio reporting only.

What sports and teams The Athletic covers

The Athletic has reporters assigned to most NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL teams, plus coverage of MLS, college football, college basketball, and international soccer. Coverage is not uniform across all sports or teams — some teams have multiple dedicated reporters while others share coverage with a regional reporter. You can browse the reporter roster on their website to see who covers your team before you subscribe.

The service also publishes general sports commentary, analysis, and investigative reporting that is not tied to a specific team. This includes long-form features and breaking news across sports. However, the core value proposition is team-specific reporting from assigned beat writers.

How the free trial works and when you are charged

The Athletic typically offers a seven-day free trial when you sign up with a new account. During the trial, you have full access to all content. After seven days, your subscription converts to a paid plan automatically — either $12 per month or $120 per year, depending on which option you selected during signup.

You can cancel before the trial ends to avoid the charge. If you cancel after the trial converts to paid, you lose access immediately and are not charged again. The subscription does not roll over or pause — once it ends, you must manually restart it if you want to resubscribe later.

What content types are included

The Athletic publishes written articles, analysis pieces, podcasts, and newsletters. All of these are included in the subscription at no additional cost. You can customize which teams and sports you follow, and the app will surface reporting relevant to your preferences.

The service does not include video highlights, live game streams, or access to games themselves. It is reporting and commentary about games and teams, not the games themselves. If you want to watch games, you will need a separate streaming service or cable subscription.

How to cancel your subscription

You can cancel through your account settings on The Athletic's website or in the mobile app. Go to your profile, select subscription settings, and choose the cancel option. Cancellation is immediate — you will lose access at that moment, not at the end of your billing cycle.

If you were charged and want a refund, contact The Athletic's support team directly. Refund policies vary depending on how long you have had the subscription and the reason for cancellation, so there is no may provide, but it is worth asking if you cancelled within a few days of being charged.

Comparing The Athletic to other sports news options

ESPN+ costs $11.99 per month and includes live games, highlights, and original shows in addition to written reporting. It is owned by Disney and has broader sports coverage but less team-specific beat reporting than The Athletic. ESPN+ also offers bundle deals with Hulu and Disney+.

Free sports news sites like ESPN.com, The Athletic's own free articles (limited), and team-specific beat reporters on Twitter/X provide some reporting without a subscription, though coverage is less consistent and often lighter on analysis. Local news outlets sometimes employ beat reporters as well, though this varies by market.

If you follow a specific team closely, The Athletic's dedicated beat reporter may provide more depth than you would find elsewhere. If you want live games and highlights, ESPN+ or a cable subscription is necessary. If you want free reporting, free sites and social media will cover major stories, though you will miss analysis and team-specific context.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share my Athletic subscription with family members?

No, The Athletic does not offer family plans or account sharing. Each person who wants access needs their own subscription. Some users report that logging into a shared device works temporarily, but this violates the terms of service and may result in account suspension.

Does The Athletic include live game streaming?

No. The Athletic is reporting and analysis only — no video, highlights, or live streams. You need a separate service like ESPN+, cable, or a league-specific app to watch games.

What happens if I cancel mid-month?

You lose access immediately when you cancel. You are not refunded for the remainder of the month. If you were charged for a month you did not use, contact support to request a refund, though approval is not may provide.

Can I pause my subscription instead of cancelling?

The Athletic does not offer a pause feature. You must cancel to stop being charged, and you can resubscribe later if you want to return.

Is there a student discount or cheaper plan?

The Athletic does not currently offer student discounts or a lower-tier plan. The price is $12 per month or $120 per year for all users. Promotional rates may be available during sign-up, so check the website for current offers.