On 21 January, the European Parliament held a plenary debate on the growing challenge of online piracy of sports and other live events. Across political groups, Members of Parliament (MEPs) agreed that live-event piracy is escalating, increasingly linked to organised and cross-border criminal networks, and causes significant economic harm to the sport and cultural sectors, while also exposing users to cybersecurity risks. Speakers acknowledged that the Commission’s 2023 Recommendation on combating piracy of live events has delivered only limited results. While some progress has been made in certain Member States, many stressed that current measures remain insufficient. A strong call emerged for harmonised EU-level action, with several MEPs advocating binding legislation and more consistent use of tools such as dynamic injunctions and swift notice-and-action mechanisms to enable real-time enforcement during live events. At the same time, speakers emphasised that rising costs and fragmented subscription models for live sport contribute to the problem, calling for affordable and accessible legal offers alongside enforcement efforts, without justifying illegal consumption. The European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport underlined that continued piracy weakens the value of broadcasting rights and ultimately affects athletes, clubs, leagues, grassroots sport and media investment. As of next steps, the Commissioner stated readiness to examine further targeted EU action, alongside awareness-raising and consumer education, and promotion of accessible, affordable legal offers.