French football broadcasters are anxiously awaiting a decision from the National Assembly, but it’s not about the Ligue 1 schedule. They’re focused on the inscription of a bill, passed by the Senate in June 2025, titled “Organization, Management and Financing of Professional Sport,” onto the parliamentary agenda. Although the title may seem broad, a key component of the legislation aims to combat the growing problem of sports piracy, specifically by blocking illegal IPTV addresses – a common method for accessing football matches without a subscription.
The issue is particularly pressing as the industry prepares for major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “This is our primary target and where we have the least leverage at the moment,” stated Caroline Guenneteau, Secretary General of beIN Sports, a minority broadcaster of Ligue 1 and the exclusive broadcaster of the 2026 World Cup in France. Historically, those avoiding subscription fees accessed matches through links found on search engines, social media, or through personal networks. The shift towards IPTV – set-top boxes providing access to channels worldwide – has complicated matters.
The French regulatory body for audiovisual content, Arcom, has been actively working to combat piracy, blocking over 12,600 domain names since 2022. However, tackling illegal IPTV services presents a unique challenge. The fight isn’t simply about domain names; it’s about disrupting a network that often involves both organized crime and individuals operating on a smaller scale.
A Young Entrepreneur in the Piracy Pipeline
Law enforcement efforts are yielding results, but the scope of the problem is significant. Nineteen individuals were recently fined by the Arras public prosecutor’s office for using illegal streaming services. Authorities are as well targeting the suppliers of these services, uncovering a range of operators from large criminal organizations to unexpected individuals. “Last week, we traced a stream back to a 14-year-old who was reselling IPTV access for 70 euros,” explained Christophe Cencig, Deputy Head of the Office for Combating Cybercrime (Ofac), during a roundtable discussion hosted by the Association for the Protection of Sports Programs (APPS).
Broadcasters are refining processes to block illegal streams, with a system slated for deployment during the Roland Garros tournament (May 24 – June 7). Currently, however, the law requires verification by a certified Arcom agent, creating a significant bottleneck. “We’re going to have thousands of addresses to block during a single match; it’s impossible to do manually,” emphasized Xavier Spender, Delegate General of APPS. “We need this to happen automatically.”
Article 10 of the proposed law is intended to address this issue. The legislation, still awaiting a place on the National Assembly’s calendar, would streamline the process. Sports Minister Marina Ferrari recently indicated positive signals from the executive branch, suggesting a review “by June” at the Palais-Bourbon. This timeline is critical, especially with the 2026 World Cup (June 11 – July 19) rapidly approaching.
Broadcasters argue that making life difficult for pirates is essential to redirect viewers towards legitimate paid offerings. According to figures released by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), approximately 20% of football fans in France admit to occasionally using illegal means to watch Ligue 1+ matches. This highlights the scale of the problem and the potential revenue loss for the league and its broadcasters.
The broader impact of piracy on cultural and sporting content is substantial. Martin Ajdari, President of Arcom, estimates that piracy costs these sectors and their broadcasters 1.5 billion euros annually, with 300 million euros attributed to sports alone. The financial stakes are clearly high, driving the urgency for legislative action.
The proposed law isn’t solely focused on piracy. It also addresses broader issues of organization, management and financing within professional sports in France. However, the anti-piracy measures are currently the most pressing concern for broadcasters as they prepare for a crucial period of major sporting events. The ability to effectively protect their content and revenue streams hinges on the National Assembly’s swift action.
For fans, the implications are straightforward: a more robust legal framework could lead to improved streaming quality and a wider range of legal viewing options. However, it also raises questions about access and affordability, particularly for those who may rely on illegal streams due to financial constraints. The debate underscores the complex interplay between protecting intellectual property rights and ensuring access to sports for all.
The next key date to watch is the potential scheduling of the bill for debate in the National Assembly. Until then, broadcasters will continue to work with Arcom and law enforcement to mitigate the impact of piracy, but a lasting solution requires legislative intervention. The clock is ticking as France prepares to host and broadcast some of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.
