Streameast has been taken down: How a global raid took it offline
Authorities seized Streameast copycat site in global piracy crackdown
A major international sting operation has dismantled one of the largest illicit sports streaming networks in the world, but the enduring presence of the original Streameast site highlights the ongoing crisis in sports broadcasting.
On 24 August, Egyptian authorities executed coordinated raids that resulted in the arrest of two men suspected of running a vast piracy operation. The action was carried out in partnership with the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), an anti-piracy coalition backed by heavyweights such as Apple TV+, Netflix, Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery.
According to ACE, the now-seized Streameast copycat network controlled more than 80 associated domains, amassing over 1.6 billion visits in the past 12 months. On average, 136 million users per month streamed live coverage of high-profile sporting events, including the NFL, NBA, Premier League, La Liga, Champions League, and even pay-per-view boxing and MMA.
Read also: Affordable legal alternatives to Streameast for live sports
Authorities in El Sheikh Zayed City near Cairo confiscated laptops, smartphones, credit cards, and cryptocurrency wallets connected to the illicit enterprise. Investigators also uncovered ties to a company in the United Arab Emirates allegedly laundering around $6.2 million in advertising revenue, alongside cash reserves and real estate assets purchased with profits from the piracy scheme.
While the arrests were hailed as a landmark success, the original Streameast website remains accessible. This long-standing operation has survived repeated takedowns, including U.S. Homeland Security domain seizures in 2024, by shifting to new and frequently updated addresses. TorrentFreak reports that millions of fans continue to use this platform despite enforcement attempts.
The resilience of Streameast underscores a wider industry problem. Skyrocketing costs for broadcasting rights—forecast to exceed $57 billion globally this year—have left sports fans facing fragmented coverage across multiple subscription services. Many, including professional athletes such as LeBron James and Tariq Woollen, have turned to piracy for convenience and affordability.
Industry experts warn that the exclusivity model driving these soaring rights fees is becoming unsustainable. Tom Burrows of DAZN argued earlier this year that “piracy is so widespread that exclusive rights no longer deliver the security broadcasters expect.”
ACE stresses that piracy poses not only a financial threat but also a cybersecurity risk, citing evidence that users of illegal streaming sites face elevated risks of malware, identity theft, and fraud.
Despite these warnings, the persistence of the Streameast brand demonstrates that enforcement alone may not be enough. Until the sports industry finds a balance between affordability, accessibility, and profitability, piracy is likely to remain deeply embedded in the global sports ecosystem.
