Struggling to figure out how to cut ties with your ESPN Plus bundle? I’ve been there, it can feel like a bit of a maze sometimes. The biggest thing to remember right off the bat is this: you have to cancel your ESPN Plus subscription, or the Disney Bundle that includes it, through the exact same place you signed up for it in the first place. Seriously, this is the golden rule, and it’s where most people get tripped up. Whether you got it directly from ESPN, through Disney+, or via a third-party like Apple, Roku, or Xfinity, that’s your cancellation portal.
Now, before we jump into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about the reality of canceling any streaming service. You generally won’t get a prorated refund for any unused time in your current billing cycle. So, if you cancel halfway through the month, you’ll still have access to ESPN+ and any other bundled services until that current billing period officially ends. Think of it as getting to finish what you paid for! The good news is, there are usually no extra fees or charges just for canceling.
This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, breaking down every major way you might have subscribed and how to cancel that ESPN Plus bundle or standalone subscription, step-by-step. We’ll cover everything from managing your subscription directly online to navigating third-party billing platforms. It’s time to take control of your subscriptions and keep that hard-earned money in your pocket.
Why You Might Be Thinking About Canceling: The Streaming Subscription Squeeze
Let’s be real, a lot of us are feeling the “subscription overload” these days. It’s like every other week there’s a new streaming service popping up or an existing one upping its prices. It can get expensive quickly! A Forbes study from earlier this year found that a whopping 95% of Americans are juggling more than one streaming service, and nearly half of us 45% have canceled subscriptions recently specifically because of rising costs. That’s a significant chunk of people trying to make their budget work. In fact, defections across premium streamers increased by 6.3% in November, compared to 5.1% the previous year.
You might find yourself nodding along with these common reasons for hitting that cancel button:
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- Cost Concerns: This is a big one. The average streaming spend can be around $46 per month, but some folks are paying over $100! When the cost of everything else is going up, streaming services are often the first place we look to trim the fat.
- Low Usage: Maybe you signed up for ESPN+ for a specific UFC fight or a certain sports season, and now that it’s over, you’re just not watching it much. Or maybe you got caught up in the hype of a new season and now you’re ready to tap out. Why pay for something you barely use?
- Content Isn’t Hitting the Mark: Sometimes the exclusive content just isn’t what you expected, or your favorite sports are now on a different platform. If you’re not finding value, it makes sense to move on.
- Too Many Services: You’ve got Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Paramount+, Peacock, and then some. It can feel overwhelming, and frankly, exhausting trying to keep track of what’s on where. GWI data from 2022 showed the average number of streaming services people subscribe to went down from 3.4 in 2020-2021 to 2.6 in 2022. People are consolidating!
Whatever your reason, taking a look at your monthly expenses and deciding what truly brings you value is smart.
Understanding the Disney Bundle with ESPN+
For many of us, ESPN+ isn’t a standalone subscription but part of the popular Disney Bundle, which typically includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. This bundle often feels like a good deal because it saves you money compared to subscribing to each service individually. For instance, the ad-enabled Trio Basic bundle might cost around $16.99 per month, while getting all three separately could run you over $30. There’s also the Trio Premium bundle that offers ad-free Disney+ and Hulu for a higher price point.
Here’s a crucial point about the bundle: If you signed up for ESPN+ as part of the Disney Bundle, you generally can’t cancel ESPN+ on its own. You’ll need to cancel the entire bundle. If you still want Disney+ or Hulu, you’d then resubscribe to those services individually. Some users even noted that the bundle essentially throws in ESPN+ for about a penny, meaning if you don’t need ESPN+, you might find it almost the same price to just subscribe to Disney+ and Hulu separately.
The Main Event: How to Cancel Your ESPN+ Subscription or Bundle
Alright, let’s get down to business. The most important thing, as I mentioned, is knowing how you originally subscribed. This determines where you need to go to cancel. So, grab your login details and let’s walk through the most common scenarios.
Scenario 1: You’re Billed Directly by Disney+ for the Bundle or ESPN+ Standalone
This is usually the most straightforward way to cancel. If you signed up through the Disney+ website for the bundle, or directly on ESPN.com for a standalone ESPN+ subscription, this is your path.
Via a Web Browser Recommended for reliability:
- Head to the right website: If it’s a standalone ESPN+ subscription, go to plus.espn.com/billing/subscription. If you have the Disney Bundle, you’ll want to go to DisneyPlus.com.
- Log in to your account: Use the email address and password you typically use for that service.
- Navigate to your subscription details:
- For ESPN+ standalone: Look for your Profile icon it’s usually in the upper-right corner and click on it. Then, find something like “ESPN+ Subscriptions” or “Manage My Subscription”. You might have to click a “Manage” link first.
- For the Disney Bundle: Click on your Profile icon, then select “Account”. Under the “Subscription” section, you should see your Disney+ subscription or bundle plan.
- Find the “Cancel Subscription” option: This part can sometimes feel like a bit of a treasure hunt, as some users on Reddit have pointed out that the link can be a little “hidden”. You might need to click “Manage” a couple of times.
- Pro Tip for ESPN.com: One Redditor mentioned that sometimes browser cookies can block the cancellation page. If you’re having trouble, try opening an incognito or private browser window and then going to the billing page. Once you’re on the “Manage My Account” page, you might see “Plans & Billing” with your ESPN plan listed. Look for a tiny right-pointing arrow next to it, click that, and then you should finally see the “Cancel Subscription” link below all your billing info.
- Confirm the cancellation: The service will likely ask you to confirm your decision, and they might even offer you a deal to stay. Just keep going until you see a final confirmation message. You should also receive a confirmation email.
Scenario 2: You’re Billed Through Apple iPhone/iPad/iTunes
If you signed up for ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle through your Apple device, you’ll need to cancel it through your Apple ID settings.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap on your name your Apple ID profile picture at the very top of the screen.
- Tap “Subscriptions” from the menu. You might need to sign in to your Apple ID here.
- Find “ESPN+” in your list of active subscriptions.
- Tap “Cancel Subscription” it’s usually a red button at the bottom and confirm your choice.
Scenario 3: You’re Billed Through Google Play Android
For those who subscribed via their Android device or the Google Play Store, here’s how to cancel.
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- Tap your Profile icon usually in the top-right corner.
- Select “Payments & subscriptions”, then “Subscriptions”.
- Find “ESPN+” in the list and tap on it.
- Tap “Cancel subscription” and follow any on-screen instructions to finalize.
Scenario 4: You’re Billed Through Roku
If your ESPN+ or Disney Bundle subscription is tied to your Roku account, you can cancel it either directly on your Roku device or through the Roku website.
On Your Roku Device:
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
- Highlight the ESPN+ channel or the Disney+ channel if it’s the bundle on your home screen.
- Press the Star * button on your remote to open the options menu.
- Select “Manage subscription”.
- Choose “Cancel subscription” or “Turn off auto-renew” and confirm.
On the Roku Website:
- Go to Roku.com on a computer or mobile browser and sign in to your account.
- Click on your profile icon usually in the upper-right corner and select “My account”.
- Select “Manage your subscriptions” or “My subscriptions”.
- Find “ESPN+” in the list and select “Unsubscribe” or “Cancel subscription” next to it.
- Confirm your cancellation.
Scenario 5: You’re Billed Through Amazon Fire TV/Firestick
Canceling an ESPN+ subscription billed through Amazon like if you signed up on an Amazon Fire TV Stick also needs to be done on the Amazon website.
- Go to Amazon.com and log in to your account.
- Hover over “Account & Lists” where you see “Hello, ” in the upper-right corner.
- From the dropdown menu, click on “Memberships & Subscriptions”.
- Find your ESPN+ subscription it might be listed as “Amazon Fire TV ESPN Plus monthly”.
- Click on “Manage subscription” and then look for an option like “Turn off auto-renewal”. Turning off auto-renewal effectively cancels the subscription.
- Confirm your choice.
Scenario 6: You’re Billed Through Xfinity
If ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle including it appears on your Xfinity bill, you might need to go through a specific process.
- Go to es.pn/billing and log in to your ESPN account.
- Select your profile, then “Account”.
- Select “Cancel Subscription”.
- Select “Complete Cancellation” to confirm.
Alternatively, you can manage Disney+ subscriptions billed by Xfinity directly through your Xfinity account or devices. If you signed up for a Disney Bundle through Xfinity, you might need to go to your Disney+ account page to manage the cancellation, as Xfinity notes you have the option to manage or cancel directly through Disney+. It’s a good idea to check your Xfinity billing details to confirm how your bundle is managed.
Scenario 7: You’re Billed Through Verizon
If you got the Disney Bundle as a promotional offer through your Verizon Unlimited plan, canceling your Verizon service will typically cancel the promotional bundle. If you cancel your qualifying Verizon plan, the Disney Bundle promotional subscription is usually canceled. However, if you had an existing annual or multi-year Disney+ subscription that was paused, it might resume.
To cancel, you might need to go to “Products & plan perks” in My Verizon and click “Cancel” in the Disney+ tile. Remember to check your specific Verizon plan details, as these can sometimes vary.
Scenario 8: You’re Billed Through Hulu
While less common to initially subscribe to the Disney Bundle via Hulu, if your bundle is billed directly by Hulu, you’d cancel it there.
- Go to Hulu.com and log in to your account.
- Go to your “Account” page.
- Look for your “Subscription” or “Payment Information” section.
- Find the option to “Cancel Your Subscription” or “Manage Plan” and follow the prompts.
Other Methods: Phone or Email
If you’re really hitting a wall or prefer speaking to a human, you can always try contacting ESPN+ customer service directly.
- Phone: You can call ESPN+ customer service at 1-800-727-1800. Another number mentioned is 888 549-3776, available 24/7. Be prepared for potentially long wait times, as some users have reported waiting up to 20 minutes. Have your account details ready to go.
- Email: You can send an email to [email protected] with your account details and cancellation request. Make sure to send it from the email associated with your ESPN+ account, but don’t include sensitive info like your password or full credit card number.
- Live Chat: ESPN does have a live chat option, but it can be hard to find, sometimes buried in their Help Center help.espnplus.com. It might not always be available, and response times can vary. Honestly, calling might be quicker if the website isn’t cooperating.
What Happens After You Cancel? No Surprises Here!
So, you’ve gone through the steps and confirmed your cancellation. What’s next?
- Continued Access: Even after you cancel, you’ll usually still have access to ESPN+ and the other services if it was a bundle until the end of your current billing period. This means if you paid on the 1st of the month and cancel on the 15th, you get to keep watching until the 30th or whenever your billing cycle ends.
- No Refunds for Partial Periods: This is pretty standard across most streaming services. ESPN+ doesn’t typically offer refunds or credits for any partially used billing periods.
- Your Account Data Remains: Your ESPN profile and account data usually stick around even after you cancel your subscription. This is actually handy because it makes re-subscribing a breeze if you decide to come back later.
- Impact on Other Bundle Services: If you canceled the entire Disney Bundle, your access to Disney+ and Hulu will also end at the close of that billing cycle. If you had existing, separate subscriptions to Disney+ or Hulu before getting the bundle, those might reactivate or continue to be billed separately once the bundle is gone. It can get a little complex, so always double-check your billing statements and account pages for Disney+ and Hulu if you’re unsure.
Thinking of Coming Back? The Door’s Always Open
Life changes, and so do our streaming habits! Maybe a big sports event is coming up, or a new season of your favorite show drops on Hulu. Reactivating your ESPN+ or Disney Bundle subscription is usually super easy. Since your account data typically stays put, you can just log back into the service you want to restart, head to the subscription management section, and look for an option like “Restart Subscription” or “Renew”. It’ll usually prompt you to confirm your plan and payment information.
If you know you’ll be back, consider an annual plan for ESPN+. It usually costs $119.99 for a year, which works out to about two months free compared to the monthly rate. It’s a solid way to save some money if you’re a long-term sports fan.
Troubleshooting Common Headaches
Sometimes, things don’t go as smoothly as planned. Here are a few common issues and what to do:
- “I can’t find the cancel button!” This is a classic. As we discussed, sometimes it’s buried, or your browser might be acting up. Try using an incognito window or a different web browser. Most importantly, double-check that you’re trying to cancel on the platform you originally subscribed through.
- Billing Discrepancies: If you see charges you don’t understand after canceling, gather your billing statements and contact customer support for the platform that’s billing you ESPN+, Disney+, Apple, Google Play, Roku, Amazon, Xfinity, or Verizon.
- Forgetting How You Signed Up: We’ve all been there! If you’re not sure where you subscribed, a good place to start is checking your bank or credit card statements. The merchant name will usually give you a clue e.g., “Disney Bundle,” “Apple Bill,” “Roku”. You can also log into your ESPN+ account directly and look at your “Subscriptions” or “Billing” details. it often tells you who the billing party is.
Taking control of your subscriptions is a smart move, and hopefully, this detailed guide makes canceling your ESPN Plus bundle or standalone subscription as painless as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you cancel ESPN Plus anytime?
Yes, absolutely! You can cancel your ESPN Plus subscription at any time. It’s not like a long-term contract where you’re locked in. Just keep in mind that you typically won’t get a refund for the current billing period, but you’ll still have access to the service until that period ends. So, if you cancel on the 10th of a month, and your billing cycle ends on the 30th, you can keep watching until the 30th without being charged for the next month.
Can I just cancel ESPN+ from the Disney Bundle?
No, generally you cannot cancel just ESPN+ if you subscribed to it as part of the Disney Bundle which usually includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. When you cancel the bundle, you’re canceling all three services as one package. If you still want Disney+ or Hulu, you would need to cancel the entire bundle and then subscribe to those services individually. This is because the bundle offers a discounted price by grouping them together, so they’re treated as a single subscription.
Do I get a refund if I cancel ESPN+ early?
Unfortunately, no. ESPN Plus, like most streaming services, does not typically offer refunds or credits for any partially used billing periods. So, if you’ve already paid for the current month or year, you won’t get your money back for the remaining days after cancellation. However, you will continue to have access to ESPN+ content until the end of that billing cycle.
What happens to my Disney+ and Hulu if I cancel the Disney Bundle?
If you cancel the Disney Bundle, your access to Disney+ and Hulu will also end at the close of your current billing cycle. If you had separate, existing Disney+ or Hulu subscriptions before you signed up for the bundle, those original subscriptions might reactivate or continue to be billed separately once the bundle is canceled. It’s a good idea to check your account details on both Disney+ and Hulu to understand exactly what will happen to your individual subscriptions after canceling the bundle.
How do I know where I subscribed to ESPN+?
This is a really common question, and it’s super important for cancellation! The easiest way to find out is to check your billing statements credit card, bank, or PayPal. Look for the merchant name – it will usually be “ESPN+”, “Disney Bundle,” “Apple,” “Google Play,” “Roku,” “Amazon,” “Xfinity,” or “Verizon”. Alternatively, you can log into your ESPN+ account or Disney+ account if you have the bundle on a web browser, go to your “Account” or “Subscriptions” settings, and it often tells you who your billing provider is right there.
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Can I pause my ESPN+ subscription instead of canceling?
As of now, ESPN+ does not offer a “pause” feature for its standalone subscription. It’s typically an all-or-nothing situation – you either have an active subscription or you cancel it. However, if you’re subscribed to Disney+ which might be part of your bundle, Disney+ does offer the option to pause certain monthly subscriptions billed directly by them for a chosen duration. This might affect your bundle differently, so always check the specific terms of your Disney Bundle if you’re looking for a pause option.
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