Streameast Shut Down: World’s Largest Illegal Sports Streaming Site Closed by Authorities After 1.6 Billion Visits

Authorities have shut down Streameast, the biggest platform for illegal live sports streams. The action was confirmed on September 7, 2025. Police in Egypt worked with the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) to close the site. It had been visited over 1.6 billion times in the past year.

The platform gave access to free streams of major sports. This included Premier League football, Formula One, and Major League Baseball. Millions of fans used it to avoid high subscription fees. ACE said the operation was a major win in the fight against digital piracy.

Streameast Operation and Global Reach

According to BBC reports, Streameast had global traffic from the UK, US, Canada, Germany, and the Philippines. The site gained huge popularity due to rising streaming costs. Official data shows global sports media rights were worth more than $60 billion last year. The demand for multiple subscriptions pushed some fans to illegal options.

Egyptian police arrested two men near Cairo. Laptops, smartphones, and credit cards were seized. Reports also noted evidence of money laundering. Authorities linked the operation to a shell company in the UAE. The group allegedly laundered around £4.9 million in advertising revenue. About £150,000 in cryptocurrency was also found.

ACE chairman Charles Rivkin called the shutdown a “resounding victory.” He stressed that piracy hurts sports, entertainment, and fans worldwide. He said ACE will continue to dismantle such illegal networks.

Impact on Fans and Broadcasters

The site’s closure is a relief for broadcasters and rights holders. DAZN Group welcomed the action, saying illegal streams harm the sports industry. Industry experts argue piracy drains value from leagues and clubs. Fans also risk scams and malware on illegal platforms.

However, analysts warn the problem is not over. Ben Woods of Midia Research said this is a “game of whack-a-mole.” He explained that new piracy sites will appear unless legal streaming becomes more affordable. Many young fans are used to free access through social media. Rising subscription prices and fragmented coverage remain the main drivers of illegal streaming.

Fans who now visit Streameast will be redirected to ACE pages. These pages promote legal ways to watch sports. But for many viewers, cost is still the key barrier. The shutdown highlights the ongoing tension between consumer demand and industry pricing.

Streameast was the largest illegal live sports streaming site. Its closure marks a major step in anti-piracy efforts. Yet the global challenge of illegal streaming remains.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What was Streameast?

Streameast was the world’s largest site for illegal live sports streaming. It offered free streams of football, Formula One, baseball, and more.

Q2: Why was Streameast shut down?

Authorities shut it down for copyright infringement. Police in Egypt worked with ACE to dismantle the operation.

Q3: How many people used Streameast?

The site recorded more than 1.6 billion visits in the last year. Most traffic came from the UK, US, Canada, Germany, and the Philippines.

Q4: What did police find during the raid?

Police seized laptops, smartphones, and credit cards. They also found cash, cryptocurrency, and links to money laundering.

Q5: Will piracy stop after this?

Experts say piracy will continue. New sites will appear unless legal sports streaming becomes cheaper and easier to access.