U.S. Intensifies Intellectual Property Enforcement to Combat Sports Piracy Ahead of 2026 Global Events

As the world’s attention turns to major international soccer tournaments and other sporting spectacles, the importance of safeguarding intellectual property (IP) rights has never been clearer. IP enforcement serves as a critical barrier against pirate websites, unauthorized retransmissions, and counterfeit merchandise—many of which are linked to organized crime networks.

These illicit operations generate revenue through advertising on pirate platforms and defraud consumers, often funneling proceeds into other illegal activities such as trafficking. By exploiting well-known sports brands and logos, counterfeiters also lure consumers into phishing schemes, while the substandard quality of fake goods can present serious health and safety hazards.

In March 2025, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published its annual Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy (NML), which identifies physical and online marketplaces heavily involved in IP violations. This year’s report spotlights sports broadcasting as a focal concern, underscoring the scale and impact of piracy in this sector.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s October 2024 submission to USTR emphasized IP’s vital role in supporting American jobs and economic competitiveness. A recent Chamber study revealed that over $5 trillion in existing IP underpinned U.S. employment in 2024, while copyright industries contributed $3.37 trillion to the nation’s GDP. Globally, the creative economy is valued at $12 trillion, with the worldwide sports broadcast rights market alone estimated at approximately $62.6 billion in 2024.

Despite this economic significance, digital piracy remains a formidable threat. The NML estimates that illegal sports streaming resulted in roughly $28 billion in lost revenue in 2023. Beyond financial losses, piracy endangers consumers: in 2024, an estimated 84% of illicit sports streams in the U.S. contained malware, spyware, or tracking software. A 2025 Chamber report further detailed that piracy operators generated an estimated $121 million by facilitating malvertising, with over half of that revenue—$68.3 million—stemming from American users.

Protecting IP is therefore essential not only for economic competitiveness but also for safeguarding consumers and the integrity of sports leagues. Professional sports organizations collaborate closely with federal agencies such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Department of Justice’s Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS). Together, they work to dismantle pirate websites and intercept counterfeit products that erode team revenues and jeopardize fan safety.

The sports and entertainment sectors are key drivers of economic growth across the United States, stimulating local investments, supporting small businesses, and energizing communities. Major sporting events create opportunities for host cities, and the U.S. Chamber champions the businesses that bring these moments to life.

Recent federal enforcement initiatives, including Operation Offsides and Operation Team Player, have intensified efforts to protect IP during major events. In 2025 alone, federal agents seized $33 million worth of counterfeit NFL merchandise, encompassing approximately 300,000 items such as jerseys, hats, and championship rings. Counterfeit goods frequently fail to meet safety standards; a 2026 study found that 41% of tested counterfeit apparel and footwear contained hazardous materials or dyes, posing health risks to consumers.

Ahead of the 2026 summer tournament, the U.S. implemented an unprecedented legal and enforcement framework to safeguard the multi-billion-dollar commercial ecosystem surrounding the event. This framework extends beyond brand protection to influence how businesses, host cities, and fans engage with the tournament. Host cities will enforce “clean zones” around stadiums, removing unauthorized signage, flyers, and merchandise, while ensuring airspace remains free of unauthorized advertising such as skywriting or drone-based marketing. Broadcasters and brands are adopting advanced measures, including real-time disruption of illegal streaming sessions.

The 2025 NML identified 37 online and 32 physical markets that undermine copyright and trademark protections. The report urges trading partners to fully implement the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty to provide creators with consistent safeguards. It also calls for enhanced cross-border investigations, multilateral cooperation, and joint training programs.

By spotlighting the growing threats posed by counterfeit goods and illicit streaming, the USTR reaffirms that IP protection and enforcement remain central priorities in the global trade agenda. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce applauds these efforts and remains committed to collaborating with the Administration to advance policies that protect the American economy, workers, businesses, and consumers.