USA TODAY - News & sports updates

The USA TODAY app brings you straight to the essence of the news - quickly. Whether it's finances, sports, entertainment, or current events, receive concise, personalized coverage complemented by award-winning videos, captivating images, and interactive features. The focus is on providing comprehensive coverage in a compact device that fits neatly in your hand.

Key Features:

- National and breaking news, with access to 200+ local publications.

- News made simple: Easily stay updated on news, sports, finances, entertainment, health, and more through brief articles.

- Personalized content: Select your preferred topics in My Topics to receive a tailored feed on the For You page.

- eNewspaper: Similar to our print edition but available on your mobile devices. Also includes access to 200+ local eNewspapers.

- Puzzles: Engage in Crossword, QuickCross, and Sudoku (on tablets only) to keep your mind sharp.

- Acclaimed podcasts: Listen to your favorite USA TODAY NETWORK podcasts whenever you want.

- Stay up-to-date on the latest news, analysis, and outcomes of the 2024 Presidential Election, as well as races for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

About Subscription

Essential Digital

$5 for the first year

What's included

- Unlimited access to usatoday.com and our apps.

- The eNewspaper: a digital replica of the newspaper.

Daily Plus

$9.99 per month

What's included

- All the features of Essential Digital

- Monday - Friday print delivery of USA TODAY

- SA TODAY Crossword

Link a subscription purchased through an app store

If you purchased a subscription through an app store you will need to link your app purchase in order to have full access to our desktop and mobile website, in addition to our app. If you do not link your subscription, you will not be able to access unlimited stories, subscriber-only content, and the eNewspaper on our desktop and mobile website and eNewspaper app.

To link your subscription, please follow the directions below:

iOS

        1. Open our app that you purchased a subscription for,

        2. Click on the settings (gear) icon in the top right corner of the screen,

        3. Click "Create Account" and follow the instructions to make a profile.

Android

        1. Open our app that you purchased a subscription for,

        2. Click on the settings (gear) icon in the top right corner of the screen,

        3. Click "Create Account" and follow the instructions to make a profile.

        4. Once you have created your account, please use these credentials to sign in on our desktop or mobile website for full access to your subscriber benefits.

Pitching to USA Today

Before pitching to USA Today, here’s everything you need to know to familiarize yourself and stand out:

    1. Understand the Editorial Criteria: Before drafting your pitch, familiarize yourself with USA Today’s editorial guidelines.

    2. Choose a Relevant Topic: USA Today covers a broad spectrum of sections, including U.S. news, elections, sports, entertainment, life, money, tech, travel, and, of course, opinions. Select a timely, relevant topic that will likely spark discussion among readers. Look for angles that offer fresh insights or challenge conventional wisdom. Whether it’s a current event, a societal issue, or a personal experience, make sure your chosen topic has the potential to resonate with a diverse audience. 

    3. Craft a Compelling Argument: The heart of any op-ed is its argumentative core. Present your perspective clearly and persuasively, supported by evidence, logic, and engaging storytelling. Aim to appeal to readers across the ideological spectrum by acknowledging opposing viewpoints and presenting your case respectfully and constructively. Remember, USA Today values persuasion pitched to the other side, so strive to find common ground while advocating for your position. 

    4. Provide Original Reporting and Insights: Stand out from the crowd by offering original reporting, research, or firsthand experiences that shed new light on the topic. Whether it’s interviewing experts, conducting surveys, or sharing personal anecdotes, provide readers with valuable insights they won’t find elsewhere. Be sure to include credible sources and links to support your claims, adhering to USA Today’s factual accuracy and transparency requirements.

USA Today Editors is Seeking:

Editors at USA Today seeks pieces that exhibit timeliness, persuasion, new information, novel arguments, passion without partisanship, first-person experience, original reporting, expert knowledge, and the ability to drive conversation on social media and in real life. Ensure that your submission aligns with these criteria to increase your chances of acceptance.

    Follow Submission Guidelines: When submitting your op-ed to USA Today, adhere to their specific guidelines to maximize your chances of acceptance. Columns typically run between 550 and 750 words and should be copied directly into an email. Avoid submitting material previously published elsewhere, including blogs or social media platforms. Ensure that any individuals mentioned in your piece include their real, full names.

    Be Patient and Persistent: Due to the high volume of submissions, it may take some time to receive a response from the USA Today Opinion team. Be patient and avoid spamming the editors with follow-up inquiries. If your op-ed is not accepted initially, consider revising and resubmitting it with any feedback you may have received. Persistence and resilience are key traits for any aspiring writer seeking publication opportunities.

    Include a Short Biography and Photo: Along with your submission, provide a brief biography (two sentences at most) to be included at the end of your column. Additionally, include a current photograph to which you own publishing rights. Personalizing your submission with a bio and photo can help establish credibility and connection with readers.

Related Questions

1. Why has my subscription rate increased?

If you are a new subscriber and started your subscription with a promotional rate, your subscription rate does increase after the promotional period has ended. If you are a seasoned subscriber and your rate has increased, we sent you notification about this change, but should you have questions about it, please contact Customer Service (phone number and service hours are below).

2. What should I do if I’m having trouble signing in to my account?

If you purchased your subscription online, you set an email address and password when you completed your purchase. If you no longer remember the password, try clicking on the “Forgot password” link on the sign in page to trigger an email with a link to reset your password.

3. What should I do if I no longer have access to the email address associated with my account?

If you no longer have access to the email address you used when you set up the account, please call Customer Service or chat online with an agent by clicking on the link below, or calling Customer Service (phone number and service hours are below).

4. How can I unsubscribe from emails?

When you receive an email from us, scroll to the bottom of the email and click unsubscribe. Complete the required steps. Please allow 2-3 weeks for our systems to update your request.

5. How do I access content in the app after I download it?

Sign in to your account in the app to unlock your unlimited access.

6. How can I cancel my subscription?

You can cancel at any time by calling Customer Service at 1-800-872-0001. Residents living in California, Georgia, Maine, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Virginia can cancel online by visiting their Account Management page once logged in to the website.

7. Can I get a refund for my subscription?

Payments are non-refundable, and there are no refunds or credits for the unused portion of a subscription that has been cancelled before the end of a billing cycle. We reserve the right, however, to issue refunds or credits at our sole discretion. If we issue a refund or credit in one instance, we are under no obligation to issue the same refund or credit in the future.

Subscription Details:

- The USA Today app can be downloaded for free, and all users can read a selection of articles for free each month.

- New subscriptions are billed to your Google Play account upon confirmation of purchase and automatically renew monthly or annually unless disabled in your Google Play settings at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Refer to "Subscription Support" in the app's Settings for further information and customer service contact details.