The Sidemen Charity Match has officially evolved from a grassroots YouTube collaboration into a global sporting phenomenon.
On April 18, 2026, the seventh installment of the event took place at a sold-out Wembley Stadium, proving once again that the “influencer” tag no longer limits the scale of these creator-led spectacles.
Record-Breaking Impact
The 2026 match wasn’t just about football; it was a massive fundraising victory. The event raised a staggering £6,218,875, shattering the previous record of £4.7 million set in 2025. The funds are designated for Bright Side and M7 Education, charities focused on supporting underprivileged youth and community grants.
A 20-Goal Thriller
On the pitch, the game was pure chaos. For the first time in the event’s history, several Sidemen members—including KSI, Miniminter, and Behzinga—switched sides to play for the YouTube Allstars. This tactical twist led to a high-octane offensive battle that ended in a 10-10 draw during regulation time.
Key highlights included:
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Miniminter’s Dominance: Simon “Miniminter” Minter secured a hat-trick, bringing his all-time charity match tally to 14 goals and earning him the Golden Boot.
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The Heroics of Jynxzi: The American streamer Jynxzi took home the Man of the Match award after scoring twice and providing constant energy.
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The Magic of Max Fosh: In a viral moment that rivaled his “Uno Reverse” card from previous years, Max Fosh made referee Mark Clattenburg’s yellow card disappear in a burst of flames.
The Shootout Decider
With the score locked at 10-10, the match headed to a penalty shootout for the second consecutive year. Despite a valiant effort from xQc in goal for Sidemen FC, the YouTube Allstars remained clinical. Following misses by Jack Joseph and LazarBeam, tech creator Mrwhosetheboss stepped up to slot home the winning penalty, securing a 4-1 shootout victory for the Allstars.
Legacy of the Event
Beyond the goals and the memes, the 2026 match solidified the Sidemen’s ability to command an audience of 90,000 fans in person and millions more via livestream. What started in 2016 at a half-capacity Southampton stadium has now become one of the most anticipated fixtures in the London sporting calendar, blending high-level entertainment with genuine philanthropic results.
