WHOOP has agreed to pay $11 million into a fund for California members whose memberships were automatically renewed after they bought a membership on its website, settling a class action that began in 2023.
- The settlement creates an $11 million cash fund, and none of the money returns to WHOOP, according to a joint filing in the US District Court for the Northern District of California.
- The fund equals about 39% of the $28.2 million in full refunds that the plaintiff, Donrick Sanderson, was seeking.
- The class covers people in California who bought a WHOOP membership through its website and were charged for at least one automatic renewal after their first membership or commitment period ended.
- Both sides signed the settlement agreement on 23 October 2026, three months after a mediation session in July.
- A California state court must still approve the deal, and the federal case can be reopened if it does not.
What it means for WHOOP members
Only California members who signed up on WHOOP’s website and then paid for at least one renewal are in the class. Members in other states and countries are not covered. The filing says eligible members will be told about the settlement through a class notice, and the amount each person receives will depend on how many of them make a claim.
No court has ruled that WHOOP broke California’s automatic renewal law, and the settlement does not change how a WHOOP 5.0 or MG membership works. Buyers who would rather avoid a recurring fee altogether can look at the subscription-free Garmin CIRQA.
Thoughts
If we enter into a contract, we should expect to be bound by reasonable conditions, such as early termination clauses. From the other side, companies clearly should not be able to take money without informed consent.
Quick answers
Who is covered by the WHOOP auto-renewal settlement?
People in California who bought a WHOOP membership through the WHOOP website, were enrolled in automatic renewal and were charged for at least one renewal after their first membership or commitment period ended.
Has the WHOOP settlement been approved?
Not yet. A California state court must approve the settlement before any money is paid out. If it is not approved, the original federal case can be reopened.
WHOOP also faces a separate privacy class action over app tracking and is suing Polar in a trade dress dispute. More news, reviews and specs are in the WHOOP guide.
Source and original research by: the5krunner and Gadgets & Wearables
Last Updated on 12 November 2026 by tfk the5krunner
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. See the gear tfk uses. ID
