Nearly one in five people in Luxembourg have watched sport on illegal streams, an EU survey has found, as the month-long Euro 2024 football tournament gets underway.

According to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) report, Luxembourg ranks fifth out of 27 EU countries in terms of the share of viewers (18%) who admitted to watching sports content from illegal sources in the past 12 months or streamed. ) on Wednesday.

The Grand Duchy’s total was well above the EU average of 12%, surpassed only by Bulgaria, Greece, Spain and Ireland.

Also read:

Where you can watch the UEFA European Championship with a beer

Among young viewers aged 15 to 24, the proportion was even higher in Luxembourg, where 28% said they had accessed sports content illegally in the past year, slightly higher than the EU average.

Sports equipment manufacturers in Luxembourg lose almost €1.3 million annually through the sale of counterfeit goods, which amounts to almost 8% of the sector’s annual turnover.

6% of young people in Luxembourg said they had deliberately bought fake sports equipment online, which is below the EU average of 10%.

The research came as the EUIPO launched its ‘Play Fair’ campaign, calling on fans to buy only authorized merchandise and watch official broadcasts, ahead of a big summer of sport with both the Euro 2024 tournament and the Olympic Games in the prospect.

Also read:

Luxembourg City will show Euro 2024 matches on a big screen

Despite many of the major sporting events being broadcast on free-to-air television across Europe, illegal streaming is still a part of those matches, the EUIPO said. “Even at events broadcast on free-to-air channels, such as the Olympic Games or the final rounds of the UEFA Championships, online piracy persists,” the agency said in a press release.

“As we enjoy the excitement of competition this summer, it is crucial to play fairly, both for players on the pitch and for spectators at home,” said João Negrão, EUIPO Executive Director. “By watching official broadcasts and purchasing licensed products, we ensure our beloved sports continue to thrive for generations to come.”

(This article was originally published by Virgule. Translation, editing and additional reporting by John Monaghan)