It’s been twenty years since Robbie Williams and Jonathan Wilkes launched Soccer Aid in 2006. Since then, the charity football match has raised over £121 million for UNICEF, built across nearly two decades of celebrities falling over each other on a football pitch for a good cause. The 20th anniversary edition returns to London Stadium on Sunday 31 May 2026 and is shaping up to be the biggest yet.
If you’re heading to the match, the pre-match experience is half the day. Get it right and you’ll arrive at the stadium fed, settled, and ready. Get it wrong and you’ll spend the afternoon queuing for lukewarm food from a stand, wondering why you didn’t plan better.
Here’s what we’d do instead, come to Draughts first.
We’re a bar, board game kitchen, and lounge at 5 Aquatics Walk inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, about ten minutes’ walk from the London Stadium gates. Over 1,000 board games, a full food menu, and a proper bar. The kind of place where you sit down for lunch and look up two hours later wondering where the time went.
The Soccer Aid 2026 Lineup
Twenty years in, Soccer Aid still manages to pull together squads that genuinely surprise you.
England’s squad has Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Theo Walcott, Jill Scott, Toni Duggan, Steph Houghton and Joe Hart, with Robbie Williams managing. Joe Marler and Paddy McGuinness share goalkeeping duties – which tells you something about the tone of the afternoon. The celebrity contingent includes Tom Hiddleston (third appearance), Damson Idris, GK Barry, Sam Thompson, Jordan North, Tom Grennan, Alex Brooker, Angryginge and Olly Murs, who at this point is as much a Soccer Aid institution as the trophy itself.
The wildcard is Owen Cooper – the 16-year-old Adolescence star who will become the youngest player in Soccer Aid history when he steps out at London Stadium on 31 May. Given where his career is right now, that’s quite a moment.
The World XI has Jordi Alba, Leonardo Bonucci, Edwin Van Der Sar, Jen Beattie and Ali Krieger on the football side, plus Richard Gadd, Maisie Adam, Big Zuu – who scored the winner at Old Trafford last year – and Nitro from Gladiators. Usain Bolt manages, returning to a stadium where whe won three gold medals at the 2012 Olympics. He’s been characteristically understated about it: “Everyone knows my record at the London Stadium. See you in May, Robbie.”
Further player announcements are expected before the match, so the full squads will be bigger than what’s confirmed now.
Why Soccer Aid 2026 Is Different
Here’s what makes it unlike any other event at London Stadium. It’s competitive enough to be genuinely exciting because these people actually want to win but relaxed enough that the whole stadium is in a brilliant mood from the first whistle. No tribalism, no away end, no tension. Just 60,000-plus people cheering for whoever does something entertaining, which given this lineup will happen regularly.
The fact that it’s raised over £121 million since 2006 is staggering. Last year’s match alone raised £15 million, a single evening’s fundraising that supports vaccinations, clean water programmes, and crisis support for children worldwide. Every ticket sold contributes to that total. You’re watching Tom Hiddleston attempt a stepover and simultaneously doing something useful, that’s a pretty good Sunday.
Tickets are £20 for adults and £10 for juniors, with every ticket including access to the pre-match Fan Zone. For a day at London Stadium with that lineup, those prices are hard to argue with.
The Pre-Match Plan
Most people heading to Soccer Aid will arrive at the stadium, wander around the Fan Zone, grab something from a food stand, and get on with it. That’s fine. But if you want to actually enjoy the full day rather than just the match itself, you need a plan that starts a bit earlier.
Come to Draughts first, get here around 1pm, Soccer Aid is an afternoon and evening event, so you have time. Grab a table, order food and drinks, and pick something from our library of over 1,000 board games. You’re sitting with your group, everyone debating whether Damson Idris will be any good and whether Usain Bolt’s tactics go beyond running fast, and you have proper food instead of something in a foil tray from a stadium concourse.
By mid-afternoon, you’re fed, watered, and ready. Walk to the stadium; it’s about ten minutes through the park from our front door. No buses, no navigating Stratford High Street. Hit the Fan Zone on your way in, get through the gates with time to find your seats, and settle before kick-off.
After the Final Whistle
You know what happens after every big event at London Stadium. The moment it’s over, everyone tries to leave at once. Stratford station gets busy fast, buses fill up, and you’re standing there buzzing from what you just watched with nowhere obvious to go.
Walk straight back to Draughts instead. It’s ten minutes from the stadium gates. Grab a drink, sit down, pick up a game, and let the crowds thin out at the station. After more than two hours of celebrities and football legends producing moments that will be all over social media before half-time, you’ll want somewhere to decompress and actually talk about it, not a packed train carriage where you can’t hear yourself think.
Book a table for after the match at the same time as your pre-match slot at draughtslondon.com.
Your Soccer Aid 2026 Day – How We’d Plan It
1pm – Arrive at Draughts. Grab a table, order food and drinks. Pick a game from the library.
3:30pm – Settle up and head towards London Stadium. Ten minutes through the park. Hit the Fan Zone on the way in.
4pm onwards – Get through the gates and find your spot. London Stadium holds over 60,000 for Soccer Aid, so give yourself time to get settled before kick-off. Note: the exact kick-off time hasn’t been confirmed yet – check the official Soccer Aid site before you finalise your afternoon timings.
During the match – Sit back and enjoy it. Two hours of celebrities, legends, and moments nobody could script.
Post-match – Walk back to Draughts while the station empties. Leave when you’re ready, not when 60,000 other people are.
Games to Get You in the Mood
We’ve got over 1,000 board games, and a few of them are perfect for the Soccer Aid build-up.
Codenames splits your group into two teams trying to identify their agents using one-word clues. Quick, competitive, and it gets everyone talking – a decent warm-up for the England vs World XI rivalry. Pick your sides before you even leave for the stadium.
Wits & Wagers is built for a Soccer Aid crowd. It’s a trivia game where you don’t need to know the answers – you just need to bet on who’s closest. Perfect for settling debates like how many Soccer Aid goals Olly Murs has actually scored across all his appearances. More than you’d think.
Our staff can help you pick something based on your group size and how much time you’ve got. Just ask.
Practical Tips
Stratford station is your best bet for transport. Central, Jubilee, Elizabeth Line, DLR and National Rail all stop there. It’s roughly ten to fifteen minutes’ walk into the park from the station.
Book Draughts before you sort everything else. Decide when you want to eat, lock that in at draughtslondon.com, then build the rest of the day around it. Event days at London Stadium fill us up fast, so don’t leave it to chance.
Bring layers, it’s late May, so it could be warm and sunny or grey and drizzly. London Stadium has partial cover but is not fully enclosed, so dress for the weather rather than what you hope for.
Check the official kick-off time, Soccer Aid typically starts mid-to-late afternoon but the exact time for 2026 hasn’t been announced yet. Worth confirming before you finalise your pre-match timeline.
If you can’t get to the stadium, the match is broadcast live on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. But being there is something else entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions about Soccer Aid 2026
Where should I eat before Soccer Aid at London Stadium?
Draughts London Stratford is a bar, board game kitchen and lounge at 5 Aquatics Walk, inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – about ten minutes’ walk from London Stadium. With a full food menu, a well-stocked bar and over 1,000 board games, it’s a proper place to eat, drink and settle in before the match rather than queuing at a stadium food stand. Book ahead at draughtslondon.com, as event days fill up fast.
When is Soccer Aid 2026?
Soccer Aid 2026 takes place on Sunday 31 May 2026 at London Stadium in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford. It’s the 20th anniversary of the charity match, which was first held in 2006.
How much are Soccer Aid 2026 tickets?
Tickets cost £20 for adults and £10 for juniors. Every ticket includes entry to the pre-match Fan Zone. All proceeds go to UNICEF UK.
Who is playing in Soccer Aid 2026?
England’s confirmed squad includes Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Theo Walcott, Jill Scott, Toni Duggan, Steph Houghton, Joe Hart, Tom Hiddleston, Damson Idris, GK Barry, Sam Thompson, Paddy McGuinness, Olly Murs, Jordan North, Tom Grennan, Alex Brooker, Angryginge, Owen Cooper and Joe Marler. Robbie Williams manages. The World XI includes Jordi Alba, Leonardo Bonucci, Edwin Van Der Sar, Jen Beattie, Ali Krieger, Richard Gadd, Maisie Adam, Big Zuu and Nitro from Gladiators, with Usain Bolt as coach. Further players are expected to be announced before the match.
How much has Soccer Aid raised for UNICEF?
Soccer Aid has raised over £121 million for UNICEF UK since it was founded in 2006. Last year’s match at Old Trafford raised £15 million – a single event record at the time.
What capacity is London Stadium for Soccer Aid 2026?
London Stadium holds over 60,000 for Soccer Aid. For West Ham home matches the capacity is 62,500.
Where can I go after Soccer Aid at London Stadium?
Draughts London Stratford is right inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, a ten-minute walk from the stadium. After the match, head straight back to Draughts for drinks and games while the crowds thin out at Stratford station. A far better option than fighting your way onto a packed train the moment the final whistle blows.
How do I get to London Stadium for Soccer Aid?
The nearest station is Stratford, served by the Central, Jubilee and Elizabeth lines, the DLR and National Rail. From Stratford it’s about ten to fifteen minutes’ walk through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to the stadium. If you’re coming to Draughts first, walk from the station to us, then on to the stadium from there – it’s all within the park.
Is Soccer Aid 2026 suitable for families?
Yes. Soccer Aid is one of the most family-friendly events at London Stadium – the atmosphere is positive and good-humoured, tickets are affordable at £10 for juniors, and the mix of celebrities, comedians and football legends means there’s something to entertain everyone. Draughts is equally family-friendly, with games for all ages across our library of over 1,000.
Is Soccer Aid 2026 on TV?
Yes – the match is broadcast live on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. If you can get to London Stadium though, the live atmosphere of the 20th anniversary match is worth experiencing in person.
Can I book Draughts for a group before Soccer Aid?
Absolutely. Whether you’re four people or a larger group meeting up before the match, booking in advance guarantees your table. Book at draughtslondon.com – event days fill up fast and this one is going to be particularly busy.
What else is there to do near London Stadium on Soccer Aid day?
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has plenty beyond the match itself. V&A East, the ArcelorMittal Orbit, the London Aquatics Centre and Sadler’s Wells East are all within the park. Check our full guide to things to do near Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park if you want to plan the whole day.
