Streameast, a notorious sports piracy network that attracted over 1.6 billion visits across 80 domains in the past year, has been officially shut down. The operation was carried out by the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) in collaboration with Egyptian authorities. ACE described it as the “largest illicit live sports streaming operation in the world.”
Strategic Takedown
The takedown followed a year-long investigation and culminated in a coordinated sting on August 24, during which law enforcement seized the platform’s streaming infrastructure and arrested two individuals near Cairo.
Financial Deception Uncovered
Authorities uncovered a money-laundering scheme worth approximately $6 million, with revenue routed through a UAE-based shell company and crypto assets. These funds are believed to have been used to purchase properties in Egypt.
Redirecting Users Toward Legal Streaming
Following the shutdown, all Streameast-related domains now redirect users to ACE’s “Watch Legally” webpage—an initiative aimed at encouraging legal content consumption.
Industry Applauds the Move
Charles Rivkin, Chairman of ACE and CEO of the Motion Picture Association, praised the operation as a “resounding victory” for rights holders, creators, and fans. Ed McCarthy, COO of DAZN Group, called it a win for preserving the integrity of the live sports ecosystem.
Global Scope and Implications
Streameast had offered unauthorized live streams of major sports—not only European leagues like the Premier League and Champions League, but also U.S. sports such as NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and even motorsports and pay-per-view events. Its user base spanned the U.S., Canada, UK, Philippines, and Germany.
However, ACE cautioned that copycat sites and pirated streaming networks may continue emerging, and their coalition remains committed to tracking and dismantling future operations.The Verge
