World of Warcraft requires a monthly subscription to play, and the cost depends on which region you're in and how long you commit upfront

World of Warcraft (WoW) is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game run by Blizzard Entertainment. To log in and play, you need an active subscription paid through your Battle.net account — the login system Blizzard uses for all its games. You cannot play for free; there is no free trial after your first character reaches level 20, though Blizzard occasionally runs promotional free-play weekends.

The subscription covers access to all game content included in your current expansion, plus the base game. It does not cover cosmetic items, character boosts, or the optional battle pass called the Warbands Pass, which you can purchase separately if you want.

Key Takeaways

  • Monthly subscriptions in the United States cost $14.99 per month, or you can pay for three, six, or twelve months upfront at a lower per-month rate.
  • The price varies by region and currency; European and other regional subscriptions cost different amounts in their local currency.
  • You set up recurring billing through your Battle.net account, and Blizzard charges your payment method on the same day each month unless you cancel.
  • Your subscription covers the base game and current expansion content, but does not include cosmetics, character boosts, or the optional Warbands Pass.
  • If you stop paying, your characters remain on the server but you cannot log in; they do not delete unless Blizzard removes inactive accounts after years of non-payment.

Subscription pricing and payment options

In the United States, a one-month subscription costs $14.99. If you pay for three months upfront, the cost is $13.99 per month (total $41.97). A six-month commitment is $12.99 per month (total $77.94), and a twelve-month commitment is $12.99 per month (total $155.88). The longer you commit, the lower your per-month cost, but you pay the full amount immediately.

Pricing outside the United States differs. European subscriptions, for example, are billed in euros and cost a different amount than the dollar equivalent. If you play on a regional server (Europe, Asia-Pacific, or other regions), check the Battle.net shop in your region to see the exact price in your currency.

You can change your subscription length at any time through your Battle.net account settings. If you are on a twelve-month plan and want to switch to monthly, you can do so, but you will not receive a refund for the remaining prepaid time — it will simply apply to future months.

How to set up and manage your subscription

To start a subscription, log into your Battle.net account, go to the Account menu, and select Subscriptions. Choose your region, pick your subscription length, and add a payment method if you have not already. Blizzard accepts credit cards, debit cards, and in some regions PayPal or other local payment methods.

Once you set up a subscription, it renews automatically on the same day each month (or every three, six, or twelve months, depending on what you chose). You will receive an email confirmation each time you are charged. To stop the subscription, you must manually cancel it through your Battle.net account — it will not cancel on its own when your prepaid time runs out.

If your payment method fails or expires, Blizzard will attempt to charge you again over the next few days. If payment continues to fail, your subscription lapses and you lose access to the game, but your characters stay on the server. You can reactivate your subscription at any time by updating your payment method and resubscribing.

What the subscription includes and does not include

Your subscription includes access to all playable content in the base game and the current expansion. This means you can level characters, run dungeons and raids, participate in player-versus-player combat, and access all zones and storylines. When Blizzard releases a new expansion, your subscription automatically includes it — you do not pay extra.

The subscription does not include cosmetic items such as character skins, mounts, or pets sold in the in-game shop. It also does not include character boosts (which let you skip leveling) or the Warbands Pass, an optional monthly pass that grants cosmetic rewards and convenience items. These are all purchased separately with real money through the Battle.net shop.

What happens if you stop paying

If your subscription lapses because you cancelled it or payment failed, you immediately lose access to the game. You cannot log in or play any of your characters. However, your characters do not delete — they remain on the server indefinitely, and you can reactivate your subscription and play them again at any time.

Blizzard does not delete inactive accounts or characters due to non-payment. The only way your characters are removed is if Blizzard closes your entire Battle.net account (which is rare and usually only happens for violations of the terms of service) or if you manually delete them yourself.

Regional differences and currency

World of Warcraft is available in multiple regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, China, and South Korea. Each region has its own servers and its own pricing in local currency. If you want to play on a European server, for example, you would pay in euros; if you play on an Asia-Pacific server, you would pay in the currency of that region.

You cannot use a single subscription across multiple regions. If you want to play on both a North American server and a European server, you would need separate subscriptions for each region. Your Battle.net account can have characters on servers in different regions, but you pay for access to each region separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I change my mind about my subscription?

Blizzard generally does not refund subscription fees. If you cancel within a few days of purchase, contact Blizzard support to ask, but there is no may provide. Once you have played, a refund is unlikely. If your payment method was charged in error or you were charged twice, support may help — contact them through your Battle.net account.

Do I need a subscription to create a character or access the base game?

Yes. You cannot create a character or log into World of Warcraft without an active subscription. There is no free-to-play version of the full game, though Blizzard occasionally runs free-play promotional weekends for existing or returning players.

What happens to my characters if I let my subscription expire?

Your characters stay on the server and do not delete. You can reactivate your subscription at any time and continue playing them exactly where you left off. There is no time limit on how long you can leave them inactive.

Can I use a gift card or prepaid card to pay for my subscription?

Yes. You can add a prepaid card or gift card as your payment method on Battle.net, as long as it is a Visa, Mastercard, or other card type Blizzard accepts in your region. The card will be charged each billing cycle just like a regular credit card.

Is the subscription price the same in every country?

No. Prices vary by region and are listed in local currency. Check the Battle.net shop for your specific region to see the exact price you will pay.