LALIGA surpasses 1,600 convictions against hospitality establishments for illegal broadcasting of matches

LALIGA announces that it has surpassed 1,600 convictions against HORECA establishments that fraudulently and illegally broadcasted national competition matches. With these rulings, Spanish courts reaffirm the criminal nature of audiovisual piracy in hospitality venues, which, according to LALIGA’s estimates, cause the national football industry to lose between 600 and 700 million euros annually.

Since January 2019, LALIGA has included criminal complaints against HORECA establishments offering pirate football broadcasts to their customers as part of its anti-piracy strategy. In July 2024, the organisation reported the first 1,000 convictions against pirate venues, identified thanks to the work of LALIGA auditors, who verify and document audiovisual fraud on-site. Since that milestone, an additional 611 rulings have been secured in just the past year.

The illegal broadcasting of sporting competitions endangers both the sports industry and the HORECA sector, undermining the investment made by venue owners. For this reason, at the start of the 2025/26 season, LALIGA Bares launched an anonymous reporting channel, enabling hospitality professionals seeking fair competition, as well as consumers, to report establishments that are breaking the law.

Hospitality venues that legally broadcast sports events for their customers can increase foot traffic by up to 50%. Moreover, average customer spending during a broadcast can rise by as much as 40%. Legally broadcasting LALIGA content protects the investment of HORECA entrepreneurs, ensures establishments comply with audiovisual rights regulations, and delivers a high-quality, interruption-free experience for fans.

LALIGA has become a global benchmark in the fight against audiovisual fraud, defending the audiovisual rights of the clubs that make up Spain’s top professional competition. At the same time, the league highlights that piracy not only jeopardises the sports and audiovisual industries, but also exposes users to criminal networks and cybersecurity risks.

Security and trust: fighting audiovisual piracy

Subscribing to LALIGA Bares ensures establishments comply with audiovisual rights regulations and helps combat piracy, offering customers a seamless, high-quality viewing experience. In Spain, LALIGA recorded a 60% decrease in piracy of its content during the 2024/25 season. Using the official signal not only shields businesses from legal risks, but also guarantees that every matchday is enjoyed with professionalism and peace of mind, reinforcing customer trust.