Sony is set to close the digital storefronts for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita consoles in various regions starting later this year and continuing through 2027. Once these digital stores are no longer accessible, users will be unable to make new digital purchases on these platforms.
The timeline for the PlayStation Store closures is as follows:
In Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua, the PlayStation Store on PS3 will close starting in August 2026.
Additional countries in Latin America and the Middle East will see the PS3 PlayStation Store close in late 2026.
For all other remaining countries, both the PS3 and PS Vita PlayStation Stores will be shut down in July 2027.
In a statement released on the PlayStation Blog, Sony acknowledged the disappointment this decision may cause players who have a fondness for these older gaming systems. The company stated that the PS3 and PS Vita represent a significant era in PlayStation's history and that closing the stores was not an easy choice. Sony aims to concentrate resources on delivering optimal gaming experiences on current-generation devices as it looks toward the future.
The PlayStation Store first launched on the PlayStation 3 in 2006, marking the end of a nearly two-decade run for the storefront on that console. This move by Sony follows similar actions taken by Nintendo and Xbox, who have previously closed digital storefronts for their respective legacy platforms, the Wii U/3DS and Xbox 360.
In related news, Sony also announced plans to remove hundreds of purchased movies and TV shows from digital libraries due to expiring content licensing agreements with Studio Canal.