A packed Wembley Stadium played host to another unforgettable Sidemen charity match on Saturday, raising an impressive £6.2 million for good causes — and delivering plenty of wild moments along the way.
In a game that perfectly matched the event’s chaotic reputation, the YouTube Allstars defeated Sidemen FC in a penalty shootout after a staggering 10–10 draw in normal time.
This was the seventh edition of the event, with a twist: Sidemen members were split across both teams. The group — which includes creators, musicians and boxer KSI — boasts a combined following of over 140 million YouTube subscribers.
Funds raised will support Bright Side and M7 Education, charities connected to the Sidemen. Despite a slight drop in livestream viewers compared to last year, more than two million people still tuned in — and donations hit a record high.
Ethan Payne summed up the event’s appeal simply: it works because it’s “so not serious.”
And it showed.
Fire on the Pitch
Forget “magic on the pitch” as a metaphor — this time, it was literal.
YouTuber Max Fosh stole the spotlight after being shown a yellow card by referee Mark Clattenburg. Instead of protesting, he turned it into a full-blown spectacle — setting the card on fire in front of a stunned crowd of 90,000.
No explanation. Just chaos. And somehow, it fit perfectly.
A Throwback Half-Time Show
Big matches need big entertainment, and this year’s half-time show didn’t disappoint.
Following performances from AJ Tracey and KSI in previous years, Tinie Tempah took centre stage. Walking out onto the pitch, he performed hits like Written In The Stars and Pass Out, bringing a wave of nostalgia for many in the crowd.
Not everyone was on the same page though — some younger fans admitted online they didn’t even recognise him.
Celebrations Worth the Ticket Alone
At a Sidemen match, scoring is only half the job — the celebration matters just as much.
Angry Ginge (Morgan Burtwhistle) paid tribute to Wayne Rooney, recreating his iconic boxing celebration after opening the scoring with a header.
Meanwhile, Niko Omilana went viral with a volley followed by a “surf celebration,” inspired by Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha — complete with tiny sunglasses for extra effect.
When Managers Take the Pressure
Penalty shootouts are tense enough — but this time, even the managers got involved.
Calfreezy (Callum Airey) stepped up first for the YouTube Allstars and confidently scored. Sidemen manager Jack Joseph followed… and hit the bar.
That miss set the tone, with the Sidemen going on to lose the shootout 4–1, sparking huge celebrations from the Allstars.
Not the End Just Yet
With the scale of the event growing every year, some fans have wondered whether this could be the final Sidemen charity match.
But the group isn’t ready to call it quits.
“We built this from nothing,” said Vikram Barn. “We started as kids with a hobby — this shows how far it can go.”
And for anyone worried: “There will be more matches. That’s for sure.”
