If you are an Australian sports fan, you likely have a calendar alert set for January. Not for the cricket finals or the tennis, but for the annual notification from Kayo Sports telling you that your subscription is about to cost more.
Right on schedule, just weeks before the 2026 NRL and AFL seasons kick off, the streaming giant has confirmed another price shuffle. Effective from February 5, 2026, subscribers will see changes to both the Premium and Standard tiers. While one group is facing a significant hike, the other is receiving perhaps the most unusual “discount” in Australian streaming history.
The Damage: What’s Changing on February 5?
If you are a Premium subscriber, you might want to sit down. The price for Kayo Premium is jumping by $6 per month, taking the monthly fee from $40 to a hefty $45.99.
This tier remains the only way to access 4K content and stream on two screens simultaneously. If you share your account with a partner or housemate, or if you simply demand the highest picture quality for the Formula 1 or cricket, you are now looking at an annual cost of over $550.
Standard subscribers are in for a surprise. Kayo has announced a price decrease for this tier. Do not get too excited, though. The price is dropping from $30 per month to $29.99, a whopping 12 cents a year saving!l
Yes, you read that correctly. A savings of one single cent per month. While it technically brings the price under the psychological $30 barrier, it is unlikely to have subscribers jumping like a full siren kick to win the game. It is worth noting that the Standard plan is capped at 1080p High Definition and allows for only one stream at a time.
Why the Price Rise?
As is tradition with these announcements, the justification revolves around the rising costs of bringing sport to your living room.
In a statement regarding the changes, Kayo noted that the price adjustments reflect the “cost of sports rights in Australia and internationally,” as well as continued investment in production, commentary, and “cutting-edge technology.”
There is truth to this, of course. Sports rights are incredibly expensive battles, and Kayo does offer a massive library of live content, from local footy to international motorsport and American leagues. However, for the consumer, hearing about “investment in technology” can be a bitter pill to swallow when the bill rises by more than 15% in a single year for Premium users.
The 4K Premium Tax
The biggest issue for many will be the gating of 4K content behind the most expensive tier. In an era where 4K TVs are the standard in most Australian living rooms, having to pay nearly $46 a month to utilise your screen’s full potential feels steep compared to other global entertainment services.
For households that rely on two concurrent streams, perhaps one person watching the tennis while another watches the cricket, the Premium plan is mandatory. There is no middle ground. You either pay the premium price, or you negotiate over who gets to use the single stream on the Standard plan.
Is Kayo Still Worth It?
This is the question buzzing around group chats and social media forums today.
Despite the hike, Kayo remains the most convenient “one-stop-shop” for sport in Australia. The alternative often involves signing up for multiple services (like Stan Sport, Paramount+, or Optus Sport) which can quickly add up to more than $46 if you want comprehensive coverage.
However, the “churn” strategy is becoming more popular. This involves subscribing only for the months your specific sport is on and cancelling immediately after the Grand Final. With no lock-in contracts, this remains the consumer’s best defence against rising monthly fees.
Hot TIp: look to your favourite team for a “Digital Supporters Package” or something similar, this can sometime have a Kayo subscription included in the cost, so you get the bonus of supporting your team as a member and also being able to watch them.
For now, check your inbox. The email from Kayo is likely already there, and the new pricing kicks in on February 5. You have a few weeks to decide if that extra $6 is worth the pixels, or if that one-cent saving on the Standard plan is enough to keep you on board.
