Last checked 7 Nov 2026. Offers change often, so confirm the price on the outlet's own page before you pay.
Quick answer
United States
Free 3-day NYT pass that includes The Athletic (Seattle)
Seattle Public Library's New York Times pass covers News, Games, Cooking, Wirecutter and The Athletic. Each code lasts three days and you redeem a new one in a web browser when it runs out. Access is also open on library computers and Wi-Fi.
Separate 24-hour Athletic pass at some libraries
Some libraries license The Athletic on its own. Denver Public Library and St. Louis County Library give cardholders a 24-hour pass that you can request again when it ends, using a free NYT account. At Denver you need an Athletic code even on library Wi-Fi. Search your library's website for 'The Athletic'.
University Athletic pass (NYT Academic Passes don't include it)
The NYT Academic Pass that many colleges offer does not include The Athletic. A few schools buy a separate Athletic group pass: Arizona State, for example, gives current students, staff and faculty a 52-week pass activated with a university email. Ask your library whether it has one.
Group subscription through your employer or school
The Times sells group subscriptions and site licences for companies, schools and libraries, and The Athletic is one of the products on offer. Ordinary NYT group passes leave The Athletic out unless the group arranged it, so ask HR or your librarian which products your organisation has.
Gift subscription from friends or family
Anyone can buy a one- or two-year Athletic gift subscription for someone else. Gifts can only be bought in a web browser, not in the app.
Limited free coverage
Without a subscription that includes The Athletic, you can read only a limited part of its coverage. The Athletic does not say exactly how much.
The Pulse and other newsletters
The Pulse, The Athletic's daily round-up of the top sports stories, has been free to sign up for. Some other Athletic newsletters are for subscribers only. You choose newsletters under Email Preferences in your account.
Student discount
Student Beans lists a 50% student discount on The Athletic in the US, with your status checked by an outside provider. Check the final price and what it renews at before you pay.
Included in NYT All Access and Home Delivery
The Athletic is part of NYT All Access, which also covers News, Games, Cooking, Audio and Wirecutter, and it comes with Home Delivery print subscriptions too. Use the same email for The Athletic as for your NYT account, or a separate account is created. Games-only or Cooking-only subscriptions do not include it.
Included in Apple News+
Apple News+ lists The Athletic among its sports titles. You read it inside the Apple News app on iPhone, iPad or Mac. It does not include New York Times news articles.
Standard prices in the iPhone app
The App Store lists these as the main Athletic plans, alongside some older plans at other prices. Prices on the website can differ, and new subscribers are often shown a lower first-year offer.
Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube
The Athletic publishes its podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, where you can listen without a subscription. A few shows or episodes may be kept for subscribers.
Canada
Free 24-hour pass from some Canadian libraries
Ottawa Public Library and Richmond Hill Public Library give members a 24-hour Athletic pass using a free NYT account. When it ends, redeem another code. Search your own library's website for 'The Athletic'.
Included in Apple News+
The Canadian Apple News+ catalogue includes The Athletic, which you read in the Apple News app.
Included in NYT All Access
An NYT All Access subscription includes The Athletic. Use the same email address for both so they link up.
United Kingdom
Included in Apple News+
The UK Apple News+ catalogue includes The Athletic, which you read in the Apple News app.
Included in NYT All Access
If you subscribe to NYT All Access, The Athletic is included, so you don't need a separate Athletic subscription.
The Athletic FC Podcast and other podcasts
The Athletic's football podcasts, including The Athletic FC Podcast, are on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and you can listen without a subscription.
Australia
Included in Apple News+
The Australian Apple News+ catalogue includes The Athletic, which you read in the Apple News app.
Included in NYT All Access
If you subscribe to NYT All Access, The Athletic is included, so you don't need a separate Athletic subscription.