PlayStation Plus is Going to Change Forever in January 2026

PlayStation Plus members should be aware that the service will be changing significantly in January 2026. PlayStation Plus has evolved a lot since its beginning. It started as a way to get free monthly games and special deals, but it later became necessary for anyone wanting to play online multiplayer on PlayStation 4 and 5.

As a PlayStation fan, I remember when they really shook things up with PlayStation Plus a few years back. They basically merged it with PlayStation Now and created three different options. The first, PS Plus Essential, is pretty much the same service we’ve always known – you get a few free games each month and can play online with friends, plus some other perks. Then there’s PS Plus Extra, which is awesome because it gives you instant access to a huge library of PS4 and PS5 games. And if you really want to go all-out, there’s PS Plus Premium, which includes everything from the other tiers plus a bunch of classic, retro games to play. It’s a pretty great system now, offering something for everyone.

PlayStation Plus is getting a significant update soon. Beginning in January 2026, Sony will shift its focus away from the PS4 for PlayStation Plus games. This means to get the most value from your subscription, you’ll likely need to upgrade to a PS5. While some games might still be playable on both PS4 and PS5, Sony won’t guarantee any PS4-exclusive titles as part of the PS Plus service starting with the January 2026 selection.

It’s unclear how recent changes will affect the number of free games offered with PlayStation Plus. Historically, when Sony stopped supporting older consoles, the number of free monthly games decreased. We might see a similar change now, potentially dropping the number of free games from three to two each month. While this would be a letdown, it’s consistent with how Sony has handled similar situations before. We’ll have a definitive answer when Sony announces the January 2026 PS Plus games, which is expected to happen on Wednesday, December 31st.

This Won’t Be the Last Time PlayStation Plus Goes Through a Major Change

Sony is working on the PlayStation 6, its next gaming console. While Sony hasn’t officially announced it yet, evidence suggests it could be released in either 2027 or 2028. When the PS6 does launch, it will probably bring changes to the PlayStation Plus subscription service.

As a PlayStation fan, I’m already thinking about the PS6, and I’m betting PS Plus will get a refresh when it launches, just like it did with the PS5. Remember how we got Bugsnax as the first free game on PS5? I’m hoping they’ll do something similar with the PS6 – maybe even give us a brand new game to try out right away!

When the PS5 came out, PlayStation Plus subscribers got access to a selection of great PS4 games through the PlayStation Plus Collection, as long as they downloaded them before the offer ended. Sony might offer a similar exclusive benefit for PS Plus members with the PS6, though it might not be another game collection.

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Don’t expect the PlayStation 6 anytime soon – it’s still years away. But PlayStation Plus subscribers need to be aware that support for PS4 games will end in January 2026. We’ll know more details about what this change means very soon.

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2025-12-28 00:04