Canadian sports fans are facing sharply higher costs to follow their favourite teams after Sportsnet announced significant price increases across its streaming subscriptions.
Subscribers to the Sportsnet+ Premium plan were notified by email on Thursday that the annual fee will rise by 30% later this year. Effective September 9, 2025, the price will increase from C$249.99 to C$324.99 per year, excluding taxes. Sportsnet said the new rate will apply at the next billing cycle unless subscribers cancel or change their plans before that date.
The C$75 annual increase prompted an immediate backlash online, with many customers expressing frustration at the scale of the hike.
Several users described the move as excessive, arguing that such a steep increase was unjustified given the current performance and features of the service.
The Premium package is not the only plan affected. Sportsnet also announced price increases for its standard subscriptions. The monthly standard plan will rise from C$24.99 to C$29.99, while the annual standard subscription will increase from C$199.99 to C$249.99, a 25% jump for long-term subscribers.
The announcement appeared to trigger a wave of attempted cancellations, with some users reporting technical difficulties accessing subscription management tools. Multiple customers said pages were timing out or failing to load, suggesting heavy traffic as fans rushed to cancel or reconsider their plans.
Questions were also raised about what added value, if any, would accompany the higher prices. Some users pointed to limitations in streaming quality, noting that Sportsnet+ broadcasts are capped at 720p resolution. Comparisons were drawn with recent Toronto Blue Jays games aired on Apple TV, which viewers said offered visibly higher-quality streams.
The price increases come amid broader changes in Canada’s sports media landscape. Rogers Communications, which owns Sportsnet, recently completed a C$4.7 billion deal to acquire a 75% stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.
The acquisition gives Rogers majority ownership of several major franchises, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto Argonauts and Toronto FC, in addition to its ownership of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Industry observers have suggested the subscription increases may signal a broader shift as Rogers consolidates its influence over Canadian sports broadcasting.
Commentators have raised concerns that greater control over both teams and distribution platforms could allow the company to exert more power over pricing and coverage, leaving fans with fewer alternatives.
As one veteran broadcaster quoted by Postmedia noted, the latest price hikes may be only the beginning.
