Sony Faces $2.7B U.K. Lawsuit Over PlayStation Store Pricing

Sony will face a £2 billion (~$2.7 billion) class action trial in London starting March 10, 2026. The claimants accuse the company of breaching U.K. competition law by overcharging PlayStation users through its digital storefront.

The case will be heard at the Competition Appeal Tribunal. It is brought on behalf of an estimated 12.2 million PlayStation customers who purchased digital games or add-on content through the PlayStation Store between August 2016 and February 2026.

The lawsuit, first filed in August 2022, argues that Sony used its control over PlayStation's digital distribution system to inflate prices over nearly a decade.

PlayStation Store pricing and competition concerns

The PlayStation Store is the official marketplace for buying digital titles on PlayStation consoles. It sells Sony's own franchises, including God of War and Gran Turismo, alongside titles from other publishers such as Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, and Assassin's Creed.

The lawsuit argues that Sony holds a dominant position in the sale of digital games on its hardware and imposes a 30% commission on publishers selling through the platform. Neill's legal team points to lower fees on PC: the Epic Games Store charges 12%, and the Microsoft Store also takes 12%. Steam, the largest PC storefront, charges 30% at its base rate, dropping to 25% and then 20% for games that cross $10 million and $50 million in sales.

The complaint also targets in-game purchases. Many titles now push players to spend on items for progression, customization, or feature access. Neill's team says Sony's cut on these transactions is out of proportion with the cost of running the store.

Damages and scope

The lawsuit seeks £1.97 billion (~$2.6 billion) in damages for purchases made through the PlayStation Store over the 10 years leading up to February 2026. Eligible consumers are included automatically unless they choose to opt out.

The trial is expected to run for around 10 weeks.

Sony did not respond to a request for comment from AFP but has previously said its distribution model is justified. Sony has also argued that allowing downloads from third-party stores could create security and privacy risks, according to the Financial Times.

The case follows a similar competition ruling in London in October 2025, when Apple lost a £1.5 billion lawsuit brought on behalf of 36 million U.K. iPhone and iPad users over App Store commissions. Apple is appealing that decision.