In one of the international enforcement actions, the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), working alongside Egyptian authorities, has shut down Streameast, one of the world’s most notorious piracy networks. The takedown marks the end of what ACE described as the largest illicit live sports streaming operation globally, which had amassed more than 1.6 billion visits across 80 domains over the past year.
The operation culminated in the arrest of two men in El-Sheikh Zaid, a city near Cairo, on August 24. According to reports, investigators seized laptops, smartphones, cash, cryptocurrency, and documents linking the suspects to a UAE-based shell company. That company allegedly facilitated the laundering of more than $6 million in advertising revenue generated by the piracy sites. Evidence also tied the individuals to multiple properties in Egypt, underscoring the scale of the enterprise.
Global Reach of Streameast
Streameast had become a household name among sports fans seeking free access to premium broadcasts. The network illegally streamed matches from Europe’s elite soccer leagues — including the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and Primeira Liga — as well as UEFA competitions such as the Champions League and Europa League. International fixtures like FIFA World Cup and Euro qualifiers were also accessible, along with Copa America games.
The platform did not limit itself to soccer. It expanded into American sports, offering streams of the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. Combat sports such as boxing and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) were featured, alongside motorsports like Formula One and MotoGP. This broad coverage made Streameast the go-to source for pirated sports content, with site traffic originating largely from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, and Germany.
ACE Chairman Charles Rivkin, who also heads the Motion Picture Association (MPA), called the enforcement a “resounding victory.”
“By taking down the largest illegal live sports platform anywhere, we’ve put more points on the board for sports leagues, entertainment companies, and fans worldwide,” Rivkin said. “Our global alliance will stay on the field as long as it takes to identify and target the biggest piracy rings across the globe.”
Ed McCarthy, COO of DAZN Group, echoed the sentiment, noting that piracy undermines the entire sports ecosystem. “This criminal operation was siphoning value from sports at every level and putting fans across the world at risk,” McCarthy said. “We commend the Egyptian authorities and ACE for their action in bringing down the world’s largest illegal sports streaming operation.”
beIN MEDIA GROUP, another ACE partner, highlighted the broader economic damage piracy causes. “Piracy is not a victimless crime – it undermines the entire sports economy, from rights holders and leagues to athletes and fans,” said Cameron Andrews, the company’s Legal Director for Anti-Piracy.
Growing Pressure on Illegal Streaming
The Streameast takedown comes amid increased international efforts to crack down on piracy networks. In recent years, enforcement agencies have collaborated across borders to dismantle large-scale operations and prosecute their operators. In July, a U.S. federal jury convicted five Nevada men for their roles in Jetflicks, one of the biggest illegal television streaming services.
Larissa Knapp, Executive Vice President and Chief Content Protection Officer for the MPA, said Streameast’s dismantling demonstrated the effectiveness of global cooperation. “This action swiftly dismantled what was once the largest illegal sports streaming operation in the world, and I applaud the Egyptian authorities for their partnership,” she said.
What Comes Next
While the Streameast shutdown is being celebrated as a landmark victory, experts warn that piracy remains a persistent threat. Illicit platforms often reemerge under new domains, and the demand for free sports content continues to fuel the underground market. However, ACE and its partners argue that decisive enforcement actions like this send a strong message that no piracy operation is beyond reach.
For now, Streameast’s closure marks a significant win for rights holders, sports leagues, and broadcasters who have long battled illegal streaming.
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