Sony to end physical PlayStation game discs in 2028

TL;DR: Sony has announced that it will stop releasing new PlayStation games on physical discs starting January 2028, marking a major shift in how future titles will be sold on the platform.

Sony has announced that it will stop releasing new PlayStation games on physical discs starting January 2028, marking a major shift in how future titles will be sold on the platform.
In a post on the official PlayStation Blog, Sony said that new games released after January 2028 will be available in digital format only through the PlayStation Store and participating retailers.
This means players will either download games directly from Sony's online storefront or receive a download code when buying from retail stores.
It also did not provide details on whether future console generations, including a possible PlayStation 6, will continue to support disc-based games released before 2028.
For now, Sony's latest announcement confirms that the company is preparing for a fully digital future for new PlayStation game releases.

Sony has announced that it will stop releasing new PlayStation games on physical discs starting January 2028, marking a major shift in how future titles will be sold on the platform.

In a post on the official PlayStation Blog, Sony said that new games released after January 2028 will be available in digital format only through the PlayStation Store and participating retailers. This means players will either download games directly from Sony’s online storefront or receive a download code when buying from retail stores.

Sony clarified that the change will only apply to new releases after the January 2028 cutoff. Games that have already launched, as well as titles scheduled to be released before that date, will still be available in disc format.

The move reflects Sony’s broader shift toward digital game distribution, which began with the launch of the PlayStation 5 in 2020. The console was released in both standard and digital-only variants, signaling the company’s long-term push away from physical media.

Sony said the decision was made in response to changing consumer habits, with digital purchases now accounting for the majority of PlayStation game sales. Industry data cited in reports show that digital game purchases have grown significantly over the past decade, rising from a small share during the PlayStation 4 era to nearly 80% of sales in 2025.

The announcement also comes as publishers increasingly embrace digital-first or digital-only releases for major titles. However, the move is expected to raise concerns among collectors and players who still prefer physical copies, including those who rely on the second-hand market or value long-term game preservation.

Sony has not announced any changes to hardware support for physical media on existing PlayStation consoles. It also did not provide details on whether future console generations, including a possible PlayStation 6, will continue to support disc-based games released before 2028.

For now, Sony’s latest announcement confirms that the company is preparing for a fully digital future for new PlayStation game releases.