Streameast — widely regarded as the world’s largest illegal sports streaming platform — has been shut down after a year-long investigation, according to the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), a U.S.-based anti-piracy coalition.
The End of a Streaming Giant
The Streameast network operated across more than 80 unauthorized domains, generating an estimated 1.6 billion visits in the past year alone. The platform provided free access to major sporting events, including Europe’s top football leagues, the Champions League, the NFL, NBA, MLB, and more.
At its peak, Streameast drew over 136 million average monthly visits, with its primary traffic coming from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, and Germany.
A Global Anti-Piracy Effort
On August 24, Egyptian authorities, working alongside ACE, carried out a major enforcement operation to dismantle Streameast. ACE represents over 50 global media and entertainment companies, including Netflix, Apple TV+, Paramount, and Amazon.
Charles Rivkin, chairman of ACE and CEO of the Motion Picture Association (MPA), described the takedown as a “landmark action,” adding:
“ACE scored a resounding victory in its fight to detect, deter, and dismantle criminal perpetrators of digital piracy. With this action, we’ve put more points on the board for sports leagues, entertainment companies, and fans worldwide.”
Arrests and Seized Assets
Two men were arrested in El-Sheikh Zaid, near Cairo, on suspicion of copyright infringement. Authorities seized laptops, smartphones, credit cards, and cash linked to the operation. Investigators also uncovered ties to a UAE-based shell company allegedly used to launder over £4.9 million ($6.2 million) in advertising revenue since 2010, with an additional £150,000 ($200,000) traced in cryptocurrency.
Multiple real estate properties in Egypt are suspected to have been purchased with illicit profits from Streameast.
Sports Industry Reaction
Ed McCarthy, COO of DAZN Group, which collaborates with ACE, said the takedown was crucial for protecting the sports ecosystem:
“This criminal operation was siphoning value from sports at every level and putting fans at risk. Dismantling Streameast is a major victory for everyone who invests in and relies on live sports.”
High-Profile Attention
Streameast gained global notoriety in 2024 when LA Lakers star LeBron James was spotted courtside at an AAU game, streaming an NBA matchup on the site. The viral clip fueled speculation that increased exposure might trigger stricter crackdowns — a prediction that ultimately came true.
Copycats and Ongoing Challenges
Although Streameast’s original domain is offline, ACE has confirmed that “copycat” sites are attempting to capitalize on its shutdown. Some platforms now claim to be replacements, advertising themselves as “the ultimate destination for free sports streaming.”
ACE has stated it is actively investigating these spin-offs to determine their legitimacy and connection to the original operators.
A Widespread Problem
A 2025 survey conducted by Brand Finance revealed that 43% of 14,000 sports fans across 13 countries admitted they considered using unofficial live streaming websites rather than paying for official broadcasts.
Authorities in the U.K. have also stepped up enforcement. In July, Stephen Woodward of Yorkshire was sentenced to three years in prison for running three illegal streaming sites that earned him £1 million ($1.3m). His brother Christopher received a 15-month sentence for related money laundering activities.
The Bigger Picture
The Streameast shutdown marks a significant win for global copyright enforcement. As Larissa Knapp, EVP and chief content protection officer at the MPA, emphasized:
“This action swiftly dismantled what was once the largest illegal sports streaming operation in the world. It’s further proof that no piracy network is beyond the reach of coordinated global enforcement.”
While the takedown is a milestone, the persistence of copycats highlights the ongoing challenge in the fight against illegal sports streaming.