Streameast, World’s Largest Illegal Sports Streaming Network, Shuts Down and Redirects Users

September 4, 2025 - Streameast, the infamous online sports piracy platform responsible for over 1.6 billion visits across 80 domains last year, has been officially dismantled following a coordinated sting operation by the U.S.-based Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) and Egyptian law enforcement. All Streameast-affiliated domains now redirect users to ACE’s “Watch Legally” portal, underscoring a major victory in the global fight against digital piracy.

The shutdown stems from a year-long investigation culminating in a raid on August 24 that resulted in the arrest of two individuals in Egypt suspected of operating the network. Authorities confiscated laptops, smartphones, substantial cryptocurrency holdings, and evidence of a shell corporation used to launder approximately $6 million in advertising revenue.

ACE chairman Charles Rivkin hailed the operation as “a significant triumph” that safeguards the value of licensed sports broadcasts and reinforces the integrity of live sports ecosystems worldwide. The coalition, which represents over 50 media and entertainment companies including Amazon, Netflix, and Disney, emphasized that Streameast had offered unauthorized streams of top-tier events-from Europe’s Premier League and UEFA tournaments to the NFL, NBA, MLB, and major pay-per-view combat sports.

Despite the coordinated takedown, reports indicate that numerous copycat sites continue to operate, offering live streams of European soccer matches and MLB games, highlighting the persistent challenge of eradicating piracy across the internet. ACE has pledged to monitor these imposter domains and pursue enforcement actions against any entities infringing on sports broadcasting rights.

Sports leagues and broadcasters have broadly welcomed the announcement. Ed McCarthy, COO of DAZN Group, described the dismantling of Streameast as “a major victory for everyone who invests in and relies on the live sports ecosystem,” while cautioning that fans must still navigate a fragmented paywall landscape to legally access content.

The Streameast shutdown arrives on the eve of the NFL’s 2025 season kickoff, serving as a stark reminder that anti-piracy coalitions and law enforcement agencies remain vigilant-and increasingly effective-in targeting the most prolific illegal streaming operations online.