Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 2026: $22.99 Price & COD Changes

Introduction

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate just got cheaper. But there is a catch.

On April 21, 2026, Microsoft cut the monthly price from $29.99 to $22.99. PC Game Pass also dropped from $16.49 to $13.99 per month. This 23% reduction marks the first major pricing move under new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma.

However, the lower price comes with a trade-off. Future Call of Duty games will no longer launch on Game Pass day one. Instead, they will arrive about a year later during the holiday season. Meanwhile, existing Call of Duty titles already in the library remain playable.

This pillar post covers everything you need to know about the new Xbox Game Pass Ultimate pricing and strategy. You will learn why Microsoft reversed course. Additionally, you will see what each tier now costs. Finally, you will discover what subscribers actually get for their money.

For a complete timeline of the price changes and the October 2025 hike, see our full Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price timeline . Meanwhile, for a deep dive into Asha Sharma’s vision, read our profile of the new Xbox CEO .

The New Pricing: What Each Tier Costs

The April 2026 price cuts affected only the top two tiers. Essential and Premium remain unchanged.

Subscription Tier	Old Price (Oct 2025)	New Price (Apr 2026)	Day-One COD?
Game Pass Ultimate	$29.99/month	$22.99/month	No (arrives ~1 year later)
PC Game Pass	$16.49/month	$13.99/month	No (arrives ~1 year later)
Game Pass Premium	$14.99/month	$14.99/month	No (never had it)
Game Pass Essential	$9.99/month	$9.99/month	No (never had it)

Prices vary by region. In the UK, Ultimate dropped from £22.99 to £16.99 monthly. Over in Europe, the price fell from €26.99 to €20.99. Meanwhile, in Canada, Ultimate now costs $25.99 per month.

For a complete breakdown of regional pricing across the US, UK, Canada, Europe, and Australia.

Why Microsoft Cut Prices: The $300 Million Mistake

The October 2025 price hike to $29.99 was meant to offset the cost of putting Call of Duty into Game Pass. That bet failed spectacularly.

Microsoft reportedly sacrificed “more than $300 million in sales” of Call of Duty by including the franchise at launch. Gaming revenue fell 9% in the holiday quarter. Furthermore, cancellations reportedly “followed pretty quickly” after the price increase.

New CEO Asha Sharma, who replaced Phil Spencer in February 2026, acknowledged the problem in a leaked memo. “Short term, Game Pass has become too expensive for players, so we need a better value equation,” she wrote. Consequently, the April price cut and Call of Duty removal were fast-tracked.

For a detailed analysis of the financial missteps and why the October hike backfired, see our deep dive into the Game Pass pricing rollback .

What Subscribers Actually Get Now

Despite the Call of Duty change, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate still offers substantial value.

Subscribers continue to receive access to hundreds of games on Xbox console and PC. Online console multiplayer remains included. Major day-one releases from Xbox Game Studios (except Call of Duty) still arrive at no extra cost. Additionally, cloud gaming, EA Play membership, and in-game benefits are all part of the package.

Upcoming day-one titles include Forza Horizon 6, Fable, and Gears of War: E-Day. The Call of Duty exception applies only to future releases. Existing games like Black Ops 7 remain in the library.

For a complete list of current benefits and upcoming day-one games, see our full Xbox Game Pass Ultimate benefits guide .

Asha Sharma’s Vision: A “More Flexible” Game Pass

The price cut is just the beginning. Sharma has signaled that Game Pass will evolve into “a more flexible system which will take time to test and learn around”.

What that means remains unclear. Possibilities include tiered franchise access, family plans, or ad-supported lower-cost options. Moreover, Sharma has emphasized returning Xbox to its core gaming identity. She scrapped the controversial “This is an Xbox” marketing campaign.

For a complete look at where Xbox is headed under new leadership, read our profile of Asha Sharma and her Game Pass vision .

Is Ultimate Still Worth It?

The math depends on your gaming habits.

If you are a Call of Duty fan who wants day-one access, you will now need to buy the game separately for about $70. However, the $84 you save annually on the lower subscription price nearly covers that purchase. You essentially break even.

If Call of Duty is not your priority, you are simply paying $84 less per year for the same great service. Therefore, the value proposition improves for everyone except those who specifically subscribed for day-one CoD access.

For a detailed comparison with PlayStation Plus Premium, see our Xbox Game Pass Ultimate vs PS Plus Premium comparison .

Conclusion

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is now more affordable at $22.99 per month. The trade-off is clear: no more day-one Call of Duty. For most subscribers, the math works in their favor. They get the same great library for $84 less annually.

Asha Sharma’s leadership signals a new era for Xbox. One focused on sustainable value rather than aggressive subscriber growth at any cost. Whether Game Pass evolves into a truly flexible system remains to be seen. Nevertheless, for now, subscribers can enjoy a more reasonably priced service without sacrificing the games they love.