PlayStation Plus releases new games on the first Tuesday of every month

PlayStation Plus adds a fresh set of games to your library on the first Tuesday of each month, usually in the early morning hours (around 8 a.m. ET / 5 a.m. PT). Sony announces which games are coming the week before, typically on a Tuesday, so you know what to expect before the changeover happens. The games stay in your library as long as your subscription is active — if you cancel, you lose access to them.

The exact number of games varies depending on which tier you have. PlayStation Plus Essential (the base tier) gets around four to six games per month. PlayStation Plus Extra adds a larger catalog upfront and rotates some titles monthly. PlayStation Plus Premium includes the most games overall, though the monthly rotation works the same way.

Games usually stay available for two to three months before rotating out, though some titles remain longer. Sony does not publish a fixed schedule showing which games leave when, so checking the PlayStation Store or the official PlayStation Blog each month is the most reliable way to see what is arriving and what is about to disappear.

Key Takeaways

  • New PlayStation Plus games arrive on the first Tuesday of each month, typically in early morning hours.
  • Sony announces the upcoming month's games about a week before they go live, so you can plan what to read.
  • Games rotate out after two to three months, though the exact timing varies and is not announced in advance.
  • The number of new games per month ranges from four to six on Essential tier, with Extra and Premium tiers receiving larger monthly additions.
  • You keep access to monthly games only while your subscription is active; canceling removes them from your library.

How to find out what games are coming next month

The official PlayStation Blog publishes the monthly game list every second Tuesday, usually in the afternoon. This is the fastest way to see the full lineup before games go live. You can also check the PlayStation Store directly — navigate to the PlayStation Plus section and look for "Included with PlayStation Plus" to see what is currently available and what is coming.

PlayStation also sends an email to subscribers listing the new games, though this arrives a few days after the official announcement. If you follow PlayStation's social media accounts on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram, they post the announcement there as well. Setting a phone reminder for the second Tuesday of each month takes the guesswork out of checking.

What happens when a game leaves PlayStation Plus

When a game's rotation period ends, it disappears from the "Included with PlayStation Plus" section of the store. If you downloaded it, the game remains on your console, but you cannot play it unless you buy it separately or your subscription includes it again in a future month. The game shows as "not available" in your library, and attempting to launch it prompts you to purchase it.

You do not lose your save files or progress — those stay on your console. If you buy the game later, your saves transfer over. Some players read games they think might leave soon, even if they are not ready to play them yet, to avoid losing access.

Differences between PlayStation Plus tiers and monthly games

PlayStation Plus Essential is the base subscription and receives the rotating monthly games — typically four to six titles. These games change on the first Tuesday of each month, and older ones rotate out to make room.

PlayStation Plus Extra includes everything in Essential plus a larger permanent catalog of around 400 games. This tier also receives monthly additions and rotations, but the permanent library means you have more games available at all times. The monthly rotation works the same way — games come and go on the first Tuesday.

PlayStation Plus Premium is the highest tier and includes the Extra catalog plus classic PlayStation games (PS1, PS2, PS3) and early access to some new releases. The monthly rotation still happens, but the sheer size of the included library means losing one or two games per month is less noticeable.

When to read games before they leave

Since Sony does not announce which games are leaving until they are already gone, the safest approach is to read any game you think you might want to play within a month or two of it arriving. If a game has been in the rotation for two months, there is a reasonable chance it will leave in the next update, though this is not may provide.

Some players check the PlayStation Blog or fan sites that track rotation patterns to spot games that have been available longer than usual. Subreddits like r/PlayStationPlus often discuss which games are likely to leave soon based on past patterns, though these are educated guesses, not official information.

Games that stay longer or return frequently

Certain games appear in PlayStation Plus more often than others. Titles from major franchises like Call of Duty, Destiny 2, and Borderlands rotate in and out regularly. Smaller indie games sometimes appear once and never return, while others cycle back every few months. There is no official pattern — it depends on licensing agreements between Sony and the game publishers.

Games published by Sony itself (like titles from PlayStation Studios) tend to stay in the rotation longer or return more frequently than third-party games. However, even first-party titles eventually rotate out to make room for newer releases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play PlayStation Plus games offline?

Yes, once you read a game, you can play it offline on your console. However, your subscription must be active on that console — if it lapses, you lose access even to downloaded games. You do not need an internet connection to play, but you need an active subscription.

Do I lose my saves if a game leaves PlayStation Plus?

No, your save files stay on your console even after a game rotates out. If you buy the game later or it returns to PlayStation Plus, your progress is still there. Saves are separate from the game license itself.

What time exactly do new games go live on the first Tuesday?

Games typically go live between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. ET (5 a.m. to 7 a.m. PT), though the exact minute varies. The PlayStation Store may take a few minutes to update across all regions, so if you do not see new games when ready, try refreshing or checking back in 15 minutes.

Can I see which games are leaving before they disappear?

Sony does not publish a schedule of departing games in advance. The only way to know is to check fan-run tracking sites or subreddits that monitor rotation patterns based on how long games have been available. These are not official, but they are often accurate.

Do PlayStation Plus games work on PlayStation 5 if I had them on PlayStation 4?

If a game has a PS5 version, you can read and play it on PS5 with the same subscription. Some PS4 games also play on PS5 through backward compatibility. Check the game's store page to see which versions are available for your console.