Sports
Full List of UK Areas Targeted in ‘Dodgy’ Fire Stick Crackdown
An updated full list of areas across the United Kingdom being targeted in the latest crackdown on ‘dodgy’ Fire Sticks has now been revealed during the opening week of 2026. This follows October’s announcement that Amazon have changed how future Fire Sticks are manufactured, after facing growing pressure from broadcasters to curb Premier League viewers’ ability to watch matches not shown on television.
Back in 2021, The New York Times described the issue as a “pirated live sport endemic in the UK,” after a study found that more than eight million people were watching illegal streams at the time. Since then, Sky Sports subscriptions have continued to decline, as more football fans seek cheaper ways to access more games.
In the latest phase of the crackdown, police forces and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) have been seizing illegal Fire Sticks and making arrests. A full list of locations across the country that are being targeted has now emerged.
Full List of Areas of the UK Being Targeted
In the wake of the latest crackdown, a 42-year-old man was arrested in Newport on suspicion of being involved in selling illegal Fire Sticks. Previously, a man from Liverpool, 29-year-old Jonathan Edge, was sentenced to three years in prison for selling and using the devices after repeatedly ignoring cease-and-desist letters.
A list of 13 targeted areas in the UK was initially reported in mid-October. Now, per the Liverpool Echo, the number of areas has increased to 17.
List of areas in the UK targeted by Fire Stick crackdown
- London
- Kent
- Sussex
- Norfolk
- Northamptonshire
- Lincolnshire
- Derbyshire
- Staffordshire
- East and West Midlands
- Greater Manchester
- Cheshire
- Merseyside
- Northumbria
- North Yorkshire
- South Wales
- North East England
- North West England
The Echo’s report adds that individuals caught supplying and utilising modified Fire Sticks to unlawfully access Sky and Premier League programming face penalties reaching £50,000. Those simply watching illegal streams might encounter more lenient sanctions but could still be hit with fines worth thousands of pounds. Imprisonment of up to 12 months is also a possibility, although more ‘severe consequences’ await those who sell such equipment.
Chief executive of FACT, Kieron Sharp, said in October, per JOE: “Our cease-and-desist measures are not just warnings – they are the first step toward holding offenders accountable.
“If you’re supplying or using illicit streaming devices or illegal IPTV subscriptions, take this as a clear warning: you are breaking the law and risk facing serious consequences.”
He continued: “To those using illegal streaming services, the message is that you’re not just committing a crime; you are putting yourself at risk. These services often expose users to malware, scams, and data theft, with no recourse when things go wrong.”
Naturally, the crackdown also highlights wider issues such as the high cost of television subscriptions and the curious fact that fans in countries like Australia and the USA have far easier access to every fixture – not just those selected for broadcast by Sky Sports and TNT Sports.
The 3pm blackout is increasingly viewed as an outdated practice, and many argue that English football should be accessible to everyone, regardless of kickoff time. Platforms like iFollow in the EFL have already shown that broadcasting every match is entirely possible.
Such a move would likely reduce the number of fans turning to illegal devices just to ensure they don’t miss their favourite team in action.
Meanwhile, an insider has revealed how police are able to track ‘dodgy’ Fire Stick users who illegally stream sport.
