The Sidemen Charity Match has grown into one of the most anticipated events in the online world, drawing massive crowds to Wembley Stadium and raising significant funds for worthy causes. The upcoming 2026 edition, set for Saturday, April 18 at the iconic London venue with a 3pm kick-off, promises to deliver another spectacle as content creators and influencers lace up their boots. Broadcast live on the Sidemen’s YouTube channel, the match pits Sidemen FC against the YouTube Allstars, with proceeds supporting charities like Bright Side and M7 Education (noting variations in reporting that sometimes include BBC Children in Need from prior years’ alignments).
This annual showdown has evolved dramatically from its humble beginnings, transforming into a sold-out extravaganza that blends entertainment, friendly rivalry, and philanthropy. Last year’s clash was a memorable 18-goal thriller, with the YouTube Allstars emerging victorious amid star-studded participation from figures like AngryGinge, IShowSpeed, Logan Paul, and Mr Beast. The energy was electric, showcasing high-scoring action and plenty of viral moments that kept millions engaged online and in the stands.
Adding to the pre-match buzz this year was an unexpected call-out from one of the biggest names in a different sport: 19-year-old darts sensation Luke Littler, the world champion known as “The Nuke.” A passionate Manchester United fan, Littler publicly threw his hat into the ring earlier in February. Responding to an Instagram post from the Sidemen announcing that tickets had sold out in record time to their millions of followers, he simply wrote: “Get me in the team @sidemen.” The plea quickly sparked excitement among fans, who imagined the young darts prodigy trading arrows for boots and stepping onto the Wembley pitch for some football fun.
However, the dream was short-lived. KSI, the multifaceted YouTuber, boxer, rapper, and one of the founding members of the Sidemen, addressed the request directly during an appearance on Capital FM. When asked if he had replied to Littler and whether the darts star would feature, KSI was straightforward: “I have not responded, and he’s not in.”
He went on to explain the reasoning behind the decision, emphasizing the event’s core identity. “It sounds so bad, but we only have content creators on the Sidemen Charity Match,” KSI said. He stressed that the match has always maintained a strict policy of featuring only content creators and influencers, never venturing into celebrity territory. “So we haven’t ever had a celebrity come on to play. That’s more for like Soccer Aid,” he added, referencing the well-known charity football event that regularly includes mainstream stars from entertainment and sports.
KSI made it clear that the exclusion wasn’t personal or a slight against Littler’s talent or popularity. Even hypothetical big names wouldn’t bend the rule. “I think for us we’re focusing more on just content creators. That’s how it’s always been, and even if Justin Bieber wanted to play, we’d go ‘No! Content creators only!'” he declared with a grin, underscoring the commitment to keeping the event rooted in its online community origins.
Looking ahead, KSI left the door open for fun future crossovers, joking: “You never know, maybe one day we’ll have Soccer Aid versus Sidemen.” For now, though, the focus remains firmly on the creator ecosystem that built the Sidemen’s empire.
The 2026 match introduces an intriguing twist: for the first time, the seven core Sidemen members—KSI (Olajide Olatunji), Miniminter (Simon Minter), Behzinga (Ethan Payne), TBJZL (Tobi Brown), Zerkaa (Joshua Bradley), W2S (Harry Lewis), and Vikkstar123 (Vikram Barn)—won’t all play on the same team. Some, including KSI, Miniminter, and Behzinga, are confirmed to suit up for the YouTube Allstars, adding extra layers of rivalry and excitement. Other participants are still being finalized, but the promise of divided loyalties among the group that started as friends making videos together is sure to fuel anticipation.
While Littler won’t be making his football debut at Wembley—likely busy with his darts commitments, including a Premier League quarter-final clash against Gerwyn Price in Rotterdam just days before—he remains a rising star whose crossover appeal highlights how these worlds of digital content and traditional sports increasingly overlap. The Sidemen Charity Match continues to thrive by staying true to its roots, delivering feel-good entertainment that unites fans around a simple idea: creators coming together for a good cause, one goal at a time.
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