Egyptian Authorities Shut Down Streameast, Cutting Off Illegal NFL Streams

Cairo, Egypt - On Thursday, September 4, 2025, Egyptian law enforcement, in coordination with the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), dismantled Streameast, the world’s largest illegal live sports streaming network, just hours before the kickoff of the 2025-26 NFL season. The move effectively ended unauthorized NFL broadcasts that had drawn more than 1.6 billion visits over the past year across some 80 domains.

Two individuals were arrested near El-Sheikh Zaid, Egypt, on charges of copyright infringement. During the raid, authorities seized multiple laptops, smartphones, cash, and credit cards believed to be used for operating Streameast. Investigators also uncovered a shell company linked to the platform and evidence suggesting that upwards of $6 million in advertising revenue had been laundered through illicit channels.

The shutdown prompted widespread reaction from NFL fans on social media, many of whom lamented the loss of free game streams while also expressing frustration at having to rely solely on official services such as NFL+, Peacock, and regional broadcasters to watch Thursday Night Football and other matchups. Several viewers indicated they might boycott the season opener in protest, citing concerns over subscription fees and access.

ACE chairman Charles Rivkin hailed the operation as “a significant triumph in our efforts to identify, deter, and dismantle those engaged in digital piracy,” emphasizing the importance of protecting the integrity and financial ecosystem of professional sports. With Streameast offline, fans seeking NFL coverage will need to subscribe to legal platforms to ensure reliable, high-quality streams and support the revenues that underpin league operations and broadcast partnerships.