A sold-out Wembley Stadium played host to one of the internet’s biggest real-world spectacles yesterday (April 18th), as 90,000 fans watched YouTube AllStars edge out Sidemen F.C. in the annual Sidemen Charity Match.
Before kickoff, Vikkstar set the tone with a high-energy DJ set, warming up the massive crowd just moments before the action began.
The match wasted no time delivering drama. Angry Ginge opened the scoring just eight minutes in, putting YouTube AllStars ahead early. The Sidemen responded quickly, with Tobi Brown netting their first goal only three minutes later.
What followed was a frantic first half packed with goals from some of the platform’s biggest names. Marlon, Miniminter, Chris MD, Jynxzi, and ItalianBach all found the back of the net in a relentless exchange. Miniminter added a second just before the break, bringing the score to a perfectly balanced 4–4 at halftime.
But the entertainment didn’t stop with the football. During the interval, Tinie Tempah appeared on the stadium screens from the dressing rooms, surrounded by players, launching into his breakout hit ‘Written In The Stars’. Moments later, he emerged pitch-side to a roar from the crowd, delivering a surprise live set that included ‘Pass Out’ before closing with his latest single, ‘Living Life’.
Tinie Tempah x Daecolm – Living Life (Official Lyric Video)
The second half opened with a moment that felt tailor-made for Sidemen chaos. After being shown a yellow card by former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg for a challenge on Marlon, Max Fosh turned directly to the cameras, set the card on fire, and made it vanish – an instant addition to the event’s growing catalogue of viral highlights.
Back on the pitch, the goals kept coming at an almost absurd pace. Danny Aarons, Nykchazza, AJ Shabeel, Zerkaa, Vikkstar, AB, KSI, Niko Omilana, Jynxzi, and Miniminter all added their names to the scoresheet in a breathless stretch of play. With the score locked at 10–10, ItalianBach fired in the final goal of regular time, sending the match to penalties.
The shootout began with an unusual twist as team managers stepped up first. Calfreezy coolly converted for YouTube AllStars, while Jack Joseph missed his effort for Sidemen F.C., immediately putting his side under pressure. From there, the AllStars kept their composure, surging ahead in the shootout and sealing a 4–1 victory on penalties – crowning YouTube AllStars champions of the 2026 Sidemen Charity Match.
Following the game it was announced that a record £6.2million was raised for the charities Brightside and M7 Education at the match, up from £4.7million last year.
Blending sport, music, and internet culture on a massive scale, the Sidemen Charity Match once again proved why it has become one of the UK’s most unique live events.
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