VPNs now blocked from these sports sites

Using a VPN comes with a host of positive benefits, like avoiding region blocking on Netflix. The same principle can be used to watch illegal sports streaming – something a French court has recently demanded VPNs put an end to. Sorry, sports fans.

The Paris Judicial Courts’ landmark ruling targets five of the best VPNs and orders them to block access from their servers to an incredible 203 domains associated with illegal sports streaming. Behind the case against the VPNs is the primary sports broadcaster in France, Canal+, and the French football league, Ligue 1. This is the equivalent of the UK’s English Premier League (EPL), Serie A in Italy, and La Liga in Spain. Incidentally, the EPL, along with the UEFA Champions League and France’s Top 14 rugby competition, are also televised by rights holder Canal+, and are among the events being viewed illegally in France using a standard VPN or a gaming VPN.

Canal+ welcomed the ruling: “The decision sends a strong signal about the responsibility of VPNs, described for the first time as technical intermediaries, in the illegal distribution of sports content.”

Which VPNs are affected?

NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Proton VPN, CyberGhost, and Surfshark were targeted in the ruling, described by the i2 coalition as “misguided and ineffective.”

Unsurprisingly, using an illegal sports streaming site is cheaper than buying a subscription to a TV service, potentially hitting its profitability. Using France as an example, only a limited number of EPL matches are broadcast, prompting the use of illegal streaming services.

Of course, France isn’t alone in this. US viewers also rely on illegal streaming sites, as do British sports fans. And Canal+ isn’t the only broadcaster that has taken action. Already this year, Italy has introduced a “Piracy Shield” that forces VPNs and DNS providers to block illegal content. Meanwhile, you might have heard about India’s VPN laws enforcing the recording of user data, making it impossible to find an Indian VPN with a no-logs policy (with providers having to use virtual servers instead).

Will this impact US VPNs?

While VPNs remain legal in most territories and access to illegal streaming sites is open, there is a growing trend against the use of user-initiated encryption services.

In the US, VPN use is currently not under any major threat. However, with the UK government having demanded action against VPNs while in opposition, the days of using illegal streaming sites there could be numbered. US sports broadcasters will be watching these events with interest.

Read our Minecraft VPN guide if you’re interested in learning about how a VPN can enhance your experience in the iconic block-building game. Meanwhile, the Roblox VPN guide over on our sister site, Pocket Tactics, also has some great insights.