The Sidemen and YouTube All Stars competed in the annual Sidemen Charity Football Match on Saturday, April 18, 2026 [1].
The event leverages the massive reach of internet personalities to generate significant funding for philanthropic causes. This year, the proceeds from the match are designated for Brightside and M7 Education [1, 2].
Located at Wembley Stadium in London, the match brought together some of the internet's most prominent figures for a high-profile sporting event [1, 3]. The competition pitted the Sidemen FC against a squad of YouTube All Stars, featuring a lineup of creators and influencers [2].
To enhance the viewing experience and engagement, the event utilized the FotMob app, which serves over 22 million football fans globally [4]. This partnership allowed for broader tracking and accessibility of the match statistics for a worldwide audience.
While the event featured many of the web's biggest stars, some expected participants were absent. IShowSpeed, who is 21, did not play in the 2026 edition of the match [5].
The match continues a tradition of blending digital entertainment with professional sports venues to drive charitable donations. By utilizing Wembley Stadium, the organizers ensured a scale of visibility that maximizes the financial impact for the recipient charities [1, 3].
“The proceeds from the match are designated for Brightside and M7 Education.”
The Sidemen Charity Match represents the evolving intersection of the creator economy and traditional sports. By filling a venue like Wembley Stadium, digital creators demonstrate their ability to mobilize offline audiences at a scale previously reserved for professional athletes, turning social media influence into tangible financial support for education and social services.
