PlayStation is offering a special opportunity for its console community. For a limited time this weekend, all PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 users will be able to access online multiplayer features for their purchased, premium games without the requirement of an active PlayStation Plus subscription. This means titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and EA Sports FC 26 can be played online by anyone who owns them, completely free of charge.

Typically, an active PS Plus membership is mandatory for online multiplayer in any game that isn't free-to-play. This policy mirrors the approach of other console platforms. However, from Saturday, December 6th, through Sunday, December 7th, this barrier will be temporarily removed. This event provides a perfect chance for lapsed subscribers or those who have never tried the service to experience online gaming with their owned library.

PlayStation Plus, launched during the PS3 era, has become a cornerstone of the PlayStation ecosystem. The service currently offers three tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium. The Essential plan, starting at $9.99 per month, provides core benefits like online multiplayer access, cloud saves, and monthly downloadable games. The higher-tier Extra and Premium subscriptions build upon this foundation by adding an extensive Game Catalog—a library of hundreds of games playable at no extra cost, similar in concept to services like Xbox Game Pass.

This free multiplayer weekend is an annual promotional strategy for PlayStation. While the company doesn't publicly share specific metrics on its success, the clear goal is to give players a taste of the online experience, hoping to convert them into paying subscribers once the event concludes. It's important to note that this promotion only unlocks online multiplayer functionality. Other PS Plus benefits, such as the Game Catalog, monthly free games, exclusive discounts, and cloud storage, remain exclusive to active subscribers.

Top Multiplayer Titles to Try This Weekend

For players looking to make the most of this limited-time access, here are five highly recommended multiplayer experiences available on PS4 and PS5:

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (PS4, PS5): The latest entry in the iconic franchise, offering intense, fast-paced combat.
• EA Sports FC 26 (PS4, PS5): Compete with friends or rivals in the world's most popular football simulation.
• Grand Theft Auto Online (PS4, PS5): Explore the massive, ever-evolving open world of Los Santos with others.
• ARC Raiders (PS5): A thrilling third-person extraction shooter from the developers of The Finals.
• Elden Ring Nightreign (PS4, PS5): Engage in cooperative adventures or competitive invasions in this expansive fantasy realm.

This weekend is an ideal moment to dive into that backlog of multiplayer games you own but haven't been able to play online. Remember, you must own a copy of the game to participate. The promotion does not provide access to games themselves, only the online multiplayer component for titles you already have in your library. Free-to-play games like Fortnite or Apex Legends are unaffected, as they never require a PS Plus subscription for online play.

If this free weekend convinces you of the value of PlayStation Plus, subscribing opens the door to many more advantages. December has been a particularly generous month for the service. Breaking from the usual offering of three monthly games, PlayStation is celebrating the holiday season by giving all PS Plus members five titles to claim and keep. Available until January 6th, this collection includes Killing Floor 3, LEGO Horizon Adventures, Neon White, Synduality: Echo of Ada, and The Outlast Trials. This bonus serves as a significant added incentive for anyone considering a subscription after the free multiplayer event ends.