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You can play World of Warcraft for free through level 20. After that, you do not buy a separate base game: a World of Warcraft subscription or prepaid game time is required to continue. Blizzard’s U.S. reference prices list recurring plans at $14.99 for one month, $41.97 for three months, $77.94 for six months and $155.88 for 12 months. A 60-day game-time block is listed at $29.99. Taxes, fees, billing region and later price changes can alter the amount shown at checkout.
The subscription or game time opens content beyond level 20 through level 80, including higher-level dungeons and raids, guilds, unrestricted chat and the Auction House. The current Midnight expansion is separate; it is not included in the standard subscription.
What the free trial actually includes
World of Warcraft’s Free Trial costs nothing and lets an account reach level 20. The level-20 cap applies to characters created under the trial; it is not a time-limited demo that expires after a few hours. Blizzard’s starter guidance says the trial includes playable content through level 20, including level-20 dungeons and quests.
You can therefore test the core combat, questing, classes and early dungeons without entering payment details for a subscription. The restriction appears when you want to progress a character beyond level 20 or use systems reserved for subscribed accounts.
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What stops at level 20
- Character progression beyond level 20 is unavailable on a Free Trial account.
- Higher-level dungeons and raids require an upgrade.
- Some social and economy features, including guild membership, unrestricted in-game chat and the Auction House, are part of the paid-access feature set.
How much the subscription costs in the United States
The figures below are U.S. reference prices from a Blizzard-hosted payment-options chart published in 2024. They are useful for comparing plans, but they are not a guarantee of the total on your current checkout screen. Taxes and fees may apply, and Blizzard can revise prices by country.
| Option | Reference price | Approximate effective monthly cost | Payment behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-month recurring subscription | $14.99 | $14.99 | Recurring |
| Three-month recurring subscription | $41.97 | $13.99 | Recurring |
| Six-month recurring subscription | $77.94 | $12.99 | Recurring |
| 12-month recurring subscription | $155.88 | $12.99 | Recurring |
| 60-day game-time card or block | $29.99 | About $15.00 | Prepaid game time; confirm current terms at purchase |
The monthly equivalents are simple arithmetic from the listed U.S. totals, not separate advertised prices. Compared with paying $14.99 each month, the three-month total is $3.00 lower over three months, the six-month total is $12.00 lower over six months and the 12-month total is $24.00 lower over a year. Those comparisons only hold if the chart prices and your tax treatment match the assumptions.
Recurring subscription versus game time
A recurring subscription renews automatically on its billing schedule unless you cancel it. That is convenient for a player who logs in continuously, but it can create another charge if you stop playing and forget to cancel. A game-time card or block is prepaid access for a fixed period. It suits players who want a defined spending limit or do not want automatic renewal. Availability, supported payment methods and the exact expiration rules can differ by region, so read the Battle.net purchase screen before confirming.
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No separate purchase of the basic game is required to move past level 20. Add either an active subscription or game time to the same account. Blizzard’s returning-player guidance summarizes the rule as free play up to level 20, with a subscription needed for high-level characters.
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Once the paid time is active, the account can access modern World of Warcraft and the older expansions and systems that Blizzard has folded into the subscription. Your trial characters remain on the account; the upgrade changes what they can do rather than forcing you to start over.
What the paid account unlocks
- Progression from level 20 through level 80.
- Dungeons above the trial’s level-20 content.
- Raids and other endgame activities available in the included game version.
- Guilds and unrestricted in-game chat.
- The Auction House and its player-to-player economy.
- Modern WoW plus older expansion content included by Blizzard’s current access policy.
Access to a feature does not guarantee that every activity has an active group at every hour; population, realm and activity availability still affect matchmaking and queues.
Is the latest expansion included?
The standard subscription includes the current base game and past expansions, but Blizzard excludes the newest expansion from that entitlement. Blizzard’s current-modes information identifies Midnight as a separate purchase. To play Midnight content, you need both paid game access (a subscription or game time) and a Midnight license.
| Purchase combination | What it provides |
|---|---|
| Subscription or game time only | Play beyond level 20 through level 80 and use the included modern and older content; Midnight is excluded. |
| Subscription or game time plus Midnight | Everything in the first row, plus the Midnight expansion’s content. |
| World of Warcraft: Forever access | Blizzard says access is included with a WoW subscription or game time; optional upgrade editions are sold separately. |
Blizzard announced World of Warcraft: Forever for a November 4, 2026 launch. Because that date is after the current October 19, 2026 date, treat launch details and any edition pricing as subject to change until Blizzard posts the final purchase options.
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The War Within became included in the subscription on January 20, 2026. That illustrates Blizzard’s policy: an older expansion can move into the subscription entitlement when a newer expansion takes the top position, while the newest release remains an extra purchase.
Which payment option fits your play pattern?
Choose one month when you are testing the full game
The one-month plan has the smallest upfront commitment among recurring options. It is practical if you have just reached level 20, want to sample dungeons or raids, or are unsure whether you will continue after the first paid month. Remember to disable renewal if you do not want another charge.
Choose three months for a short, regular session
The listed $41.97 total works out to $13.99 per month before taxes. It lowers the effective rate without committing to a full year. Check the renewal interval and cancellation rules because a recurring three-month plan may renew for another three months rather than reverting to monthly billing.
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The reference totals produce an effective $12.99 per month for either six or 12 months. The longer commitment gives the largest total savings against the $14.99 monthly reference rate, but it also leaves more prepaid time if you stop playing. Select it only when you expect to use most of the period.
Choose prepaid game time when renewal control matters
The listed 60-day block costs $29.99, or about $15 per month, before taxes. It costs slightly more than the recurring six- or 12-month equivalents but avoids a long subscription commitment. Confirm whether the seller and your region support the exact denomination and whether the code is restricted to a particular account region.
How to upgrade after reaching level 20
- Sign in to the Battle.net account that contains your trial characters.
- Open the World of Warcraft product page or the account’s subscription and game-time section.
- Compare the available billing periods and the displayed price in your billing currency.
- For a subscription, select the recurring interval and review the renewal date, taxes and payment method.
- For prepaid time, redeem an eligible game-time code or purchase the available game-time block.
- Confirm the transaction, then restart the game or return to the character-selection screen if the paid status does not appear immediately.
- If you want Midnight, purchase its edition separately and verify that it is attached to the same Battle.net account.
The exact labels and available plans can vary by country and account status. Use the final Battle.net confirmation page as the authoritative amount rather than an older price list.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why your total may differ from the reference prices
Billing region and currency
Blizzard prices subscriptions by billing region, not by a universal dollar conversion. A U.S. chart cannot be applied directly to accounts billed elsewhere. Use the country and currency associated with your Battle.net account and payment method.
2026 regional changes
Blizzard announced recurring-price changes for the United Kingdom, Kazakhstan and Georgia effective June 22, 2026. Separate notices announced changes for Mexico, Chile and Brazil. These notices mean a price seen in an older guide or saved payment screen may no longer match the current amount.
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Taxes, fees and promotions
Sales tax, value-added tax, payment-provider fees and temporary promotions can change the final charge. A promotional rate may apply only to the first term or to a particular account. Read the renewal price, not just the introductory price, before submitting payment.
Plan availability
Not every region necessarily offers every billing interval or game-time denomination. If a six-month or 12-month option is missing, that is an availability difference rather than evidence that the plan has been discontinued worldwide.
Common cost mistakes and how to avoid them
- Assuming level 20 means the entire game is free: the trial ends at level 20; continuing requires subscription or game time.
- Budgeting for Midnight as if it were included: the newest expansion is a separate license in addition to paid game access.
- Comparing a U.S. total with a foreign checkout: compare the final local-currency total, including tax.
- Forgetting recurring renewal: record the next billing date and cancel before it if you intend to stop.
- Buying a code for the wrong region: confirm account-region compatibility before purchasing prepaid time.
- Using a 2024 chart as a live quote: treat it as a reference and verify the current Battle.net price immediately before payment.
Practical budgets for common situations
You only want to test endgame systems
Pay for one month, explore the level-20-to-80 progression and decide whether the included content justifies continuing. Add Midnight only if its specific zones, story or systems are your goal.
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A three-month recurring term or two separate one-month payments can be compared using the renewal date and your expected downtime. The three-month reference saves $3 against three monthly charges, but unused time can erase that benefit if you stop early.
You play throughout the year
The 12-month reference total of $155.88 is $24 below twelve $14.99 monthly charges before tax. That is the lowest listed effective monthly rate, but it is also the largest upfront commitment and remains subject to regional pricing differences.
You avoid automatic payments
Use prepaid game time when available, or choose a recurring plan and cancel its renewal immediately after purchase while retaining the paid period. Confirm in your account that the renewal status changed; uninstalling the game does not cancel billing.
Bottom line on World of Warcraft’s post-trial cost
Free access ends at level 20. Continuing with the included game requires a subscription or game time, with U.S. reference prices ranging from $14.99 for one recurring month to $155.88 for 12 recurring months, plus a listed $29.99 60-day prepaid option. Those prices come from a 2024 Blizzard payment chart, while 2026 regional notices show why your current checkout total can differ. Midnight is an additional purchase; it is not part of the ordinary subscription.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
