PlayStation UK claim: trial enters final week as legal team sets out case for 11 million UK gamers

The £2 billion Sony PlayStation claim alleges gamers were overcharged by up to 20% after competition was blocked on the PlayStation Store.

The trial examining whether Sony overcharged millions of UK gamers for digital games and add-on content has entered its final week. The claimants and defendants will be presenting their closing arguments to the Competition Appeal Tribunal over four days.

The claim, brought by class representative Alex Neill on behalf of around 11 million UK consumers, alleges that Sony abused its dominant position in the console market to block competition on the PlayStation Store – using technical and contractual barriers to prevent developers, publishers and third-party retailers from setting up alternative digital stores.

Without that competition, the claim argues, Sony was able to charge prices around 20% higher than they should have been.

Alex Neill

“The case has been running for four years and the trial has been 10 weeks, the longest of its kind, which reflects the complexity of what’s being considered.

“It’s been a thorough and detailed process, with the tribunal hearing a significant amount of evidence. We believe we gave strong arguments and evidence that Sony’s behaviour is anticompetitive and has harmed consumers. It is now up to the Tribunal to decide.”

Sign up to Consumer Voice to stay updated on this claim, including how you could claim compensation if the case succeeds, and read more about the Sony PlayStation UK claim.

What the closing submissions argue

The written closing submissions filed by the legal team representing UK gamers set out the case against Sony in full, arguing that Sony has held a dominant position in the console market throughout the relevant period and used that dominance to maintain a complete monopoly over the distribution of digital games and add-on content on PlayStation.

At the heart of the claim the submissions argue that physical games, which are sold in a competitive retail market, were on average around 20% cheaper than their digital equivalents during the same period, providing a real-world benchmark for what digital games should have cost. They also make the argument that Sony’s 30% target margin – charged on every digital purchase made through the PlayStation Store – is excessive and unfair, and that consumers paid the price. 

The legal team also argues that Sony deliberately blocked attempts by major publishers including EA, Ubisoft and Epic to set up alternative distribution channels on PlayStation, thereby protecting its position and margins at the expense of consumers. 

What Sony says

Sony has contested the claim throughout the trial, arguing that the PlayStation Store operates in a competitive market that includes Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC gaming and other platforms, and that consumers are not locked in. The company has maintained that its 30% commission is in line with industry practice and that its investment in the PlayStation platform supports its commercial model.

What the PlayStation claim is about

The £2 billion lawsuit alleges that Sony has breached competition law by abusing its market power and forcing up prices for consumers who buy digital games or add-on content through the PlayStation Store.

The claim argues that Sony has overcharged PlayStation customers by using technical and contractual barriers to block all competition on the PlayStation Store, allowing it to charge excessive commission on digital purchases. UK consumers who purchased games or in-app content are said to have overpaid by around 20% as a result of Sony’s alleged anti-competitive practices.

The estimated damages are £182 per individual member of the class.

When could gamers see compensation?

The trial began on 2 March and has now entered its final week. A judgement is not expected immediately, the Tribunal typically takes several months after a trial concludes to deliver its ruling.

If Sony loses, there may be appeals, which could extend the timeline. Realistically, compensation distribution might begin in around a year if the claim succeeds without appeals, though it could take longer.

Settlement is also possible at any stage, as seen in other recent collective actions.

Who is eligible and what you need to do

UK consumers who purchased digital games or add-on content from the PlayStation Store between 19 August 2016 and 12 February 2026 are automatically included in the claim. You do not need to take any action unless you wish to opt out.

The opt-out deadline has now passed (9 March 2026). If you did not opt out, you remain part of the claim and will be eligible for compensation if it succeeds.

You may be eligible if:

• You (or a member of your family) own a PS4 or PS5, or owned one between 19 August 2016 and 12 February 2026
• You spent money buying digital games or in-app purchases from the PlayStation Store
• You live in the UK

There is nothing you need to do now. Sign up to Consumer Voice to follow the trial and receive updates on when and how you can claim if the case succeeds.

Visit the PlayStation claim website for more information.