World of Warcraft (WoW) has been around since 2004 and has released nine expansions to date. If you're a new or returning player, you don't need to purchase each of these updates and games individually. Instead, you can begin playing WoW Classic and all content up through the 8th expansion (Shadowlands) for the price of a monthly subscription.
This article will provide an overview of how much it costs to start playing World of Warcraft Classic, Wrath of the Lich King Classic, or Dragonflight in 2023.
Key Takeaways
You can begin playing WoW Classic and all content up through the 8th expansion (Shadowlands) for the price of a monthly subscription.
If you want to play the current expansion, World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, you will need to purchase at least the Base Edition for $49.99.
There are alternatives to reoccurring subscriptions, and it's possible to play WoW for free.
WoW Subscription Costs in the United Kingdom
World of Warcraft (WoW) offers four subscription lengths in the United States, including 1-month, 3-months, 6-months, and 12-months. The cost of each subscription length is $14.99, $41.97, $77.94, and $155.88, respectively. As you purchase longer subscription lengths, you get a lower price per month, but you have to pay upfront. Each tier you move up lowers the per-month price by $1.
For instance, if you opt to get a 12-month subscription, you would pay $155.88 upfront, which is equivalent to $12.99/month. This is a great option if you want to save money and get a couple of in-game rewards (typically mounts or transmon) reserved for players with a 6-month or 12-month subscription.
WoW Subscription Costs in Canada and the UK
Players outside the US can expect slightly different subscription costs. In Canada, the per-month price is slightly higher than in the US. For instance, in 2023, WoW subscription costs in Canada are as follows:
Subscription Length | Cost/Price (CAD) | $ Per Month |
1-month | $21.99/month | $21.99 |
3-months | $52.49 | $17.50 |
6-months | $97.99 | $16.34 |
12-months | $195.98 | $16.34 |
On the other hand, the price of subscriptions in the UK is slightly lower than in the US. Players in the UK can expect to pay the following amounts:
Subscription Length | Cost/Price (UK) | £ Per Month |
1-month | £9.99/month | £9.99 |
3-months | £28.17 | £9.39 |
6-months | £52.14 | £8.69 |
12-months | £104.28 | £8.69 |
All the prices mentioned above are for players who set up recurring subscriptions on their accounts. Players who are not interested in setting up a recurring subscription can opt for other options. It is worth noting that the subscription costs may differ depending on the region, and players should check the official WoW website for the latest pricing information.
For players who are interested in purchasing a bundle, the Lunar New Year bundle might be worth considering. The bundle contains various items, including a mount, pet, and transmog set, and is available for purchase in the in-game store. However, the cost of the bundle is separate from the subscription costs and should be considered separately.
Alternatives to Recurring Subscriptions
Players who do not want to commit to a recurring subscription to World of Warcraft have some alternative options available to them. These alternatives include purchasing game time, buying WoW tokens, and subscribing and then immediately cancelling.
The first alternative is to purchase 60 days of game time through the Battle.net launcher shop or the online Blizzard Shop. This will grant players two months of game time for $29.99. At the end of the 60 days, their time will expire, and they would need to purchase additional time to continue playing. Additionally, players can gift game time to their friends using this approach.
Another alternative is to purchase game time with WoW tokens. However, this method requires that players have active game time on their account and the ability/time to make a decent amount of in-game gold. To get a WoW token, players will need to farm up gold and buy one at the auction house. The token price will depend on how many tokens are available on the auction house.
The final alternative is to subscribe and then immediately cancel. While this still requires players to provide a credit card, it will ensure that they avoid a surprise charge if they forget to cancel.
Alternative | Cost |
60 days of game time | $29.99 |
WoW token | Varies on the auction house |
Subscribe and immediately cancel | Cost of one month's subscription |
It is important to note that the cost of the WoW token will depend on the current market price, which can fluctuate. Players can check the auction house or the shop tab of their in-game menu to see how much gold they would need to purchase a token. They could also look it up online.
Do I need to buy Dragonflight?
If you have a subscription, you will have access to all the old content, and you don't need to buy Shadowlands anymore. However, if you want to access the latest raids, dungeons, level up to 70, and play as the Dracythr race, you will need to buy Dragonflight. Keep in mind that the subscription cost is £9.99/month for a single month, £28.17 for 3 months, or £52.14 for a 6-month commitment.
Purchasing Dragonflight
To play World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, players can purchase it on the Blizzard website. There are three purchase options available, each with different bonuses. The Base Edition costs $49.99 and includes the Dragonflight Expansion, Drakks Pet, and the all-new race Dracthyr. The Heroic Edition costs $69.99 and includes everything in the Base Edition plus a Level 60 character boost, Tangled Dreamweaver Flying Mount, and Murkastrasza Pet.
The Epic Edition costs $89.99 and includes everything in the Heroic Edition plus Timewalker’s Hearthstone Effect, Diadem of the Spell-Keeper Head-slot Transmog, Wings of Awakening Back-slot Transmog with 5 color variants, and 30 Days of Game Time.
Players who purchase the Heroic or Epic Edition will also receive the Telix the Stormhorn Mount, Gargantuan Grrloc Ground Mount, and Nether-Gorged Greatwyrm Mount. These mounts are account-wide and can be used by all characters on the player's account.
When was Dragonflight Released?
Dragonflight, the ninth expansion pack for World of Warcraft, was released on November 28th, 2022.
How much does WoW Classic/WotLK Classic cost?
To play WoW Classic or Wrath of the Lich King (WotLK) Classic, players need to pay the monthly membership price of $14.99/month in the United States. However, players can save money by purchasing a longer subscription time, which offers a lower per-month price. For instance, a three-month subscription costs $41.97, while a six-month commitment costs $77.94. Players can access all content up through the 8th expansion (Shadowlands) for the price of a monthly subscription.
Subscription | Cost |
1 month | $14.99 |
3 months | $41.97 |
6 months | $77.94 |
Players can begin playing WoW Classic and all content up through the 8th expansion for the price of a monthly subscription. The subscription includes levels 1-60 in World of Warcraft, 1-60 in World of Warcraft Classic, and 1-80 in World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Classic.
How much does WoW Hardcore cost?
WoW Hardcore is a special game mode where players get only one life. If their character dies, they have to start all over again to keep playing. The official Hardcore servers are part of the WoW Classic Era version of the game. Players will need to pay $14.99/month to play Hardcore mode, unless they subscribe for a longer period. For more information on the Hardcore game mode, players can check out this WowHead guide.
Is There Any Way to Play WoW for Free?
Players who are not ready to buy the game can try World of Warcraft by playing the free trial version. This version allows them to create and play a new character to level 20 in the game's retail version. However, the free version comes with several restrictions, including limited gold, content, and social interaction. It is important to note that there is no free trial of WoW Classic or Burning Crusade Classic.
While the free trial version is an excellent way for new players to try the game, they can also play the game for free by using a battle.net account. However, this option also comes with several limitations, including limited access to content and features. Players who want to experience the full game can purchase a subscription to unlock all the game's features and content.
Final Thoughts: How Much Is WoW Subscription UK
In the UK, the standard monthly subscription for World of Warcraft is around £9.99. Players can save up to 13% by opting for the 6-month subscription, which costs approximately £52.99. Recurring monthly subscriptions are also available at a slightly discounted rate, costing approximately £8.99 per month. It's worth noting that additional fees may apply for certain in-game features, such as the Tabard of the Flame. Overall, players can enjoy the game without having to purchase all past expansions.
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