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Sony is set to defend itself against a £2 billion ($2.7 billion) class-action lawsuit beginning on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at London’s Competition Appeal Tribunal.
The case, brought on behalf of approximately 12.2 million UK PlayStation users, alleges that the tech giant abused its market dominance to overcharge customers.
Claimants argue that Sony’s “closed ecosystem” allows it to enforce a 30% commission on all digital games and in-game content, a cost that is ultimately passed down to the consumer.
Spearheaded by consumer advocate Alex Neill, the legal action covers nearly a decade of digital purchases made through the PlayStation Store.
The suit contends that Sony’s pricing is disproportionate to its service costs and highlights that competing PC platforms typically charge much lower commissions.
Because the case is an “opt-out” action, most UK residents who bought digital content between August 2016 and February 2026 are automatically included as claimants unless they specifically request to be excluded.
Sony has defended its business model, asserting that its commission structure helps subsidise hardware costs and ensures a secure environment for users.
However, the trial follows a significant legal precedent in the UK, where Apple recently lost a similar battle over its App Store fees.
If the tribunal rules against Sony, the company could be forced to pay significant damages to millions of gamers, with estimates suggesting individual payouts of around £162.
