Soccer Aid for UNICEF

What is Soccer Aid for UNICEF?

Soccer Aid for UNICEF is the world’s biggest celebrity football match. On Sunday 12  June, Soccer Aid will host another unique and star-studded 90 minutes (or more!) at London Stadium, broadcast live on ITV and STV. There is nothing quite like it.

The nation’s favourite celebrities and legendary footballers will team up to play each other and raise money for children around the world who rarely get the chance to play.

But of course, Soccer Aid for UNICEF isn’t just about the celebrities and footballing greats on the pitch, giving it their all to help children around the world.

It’s also about the passionate fans in the stands. The millions watching on ITV and STV and donating at home. The thousands of schools and families getting involved up and down the country.

By being part of Soccer Aid for UNICEF, you’re joining one big team – a country united by play, so that all kids can play.

This year, there has never been a more challenging time for children. Right now, children are facing war, disasters, and other crises in countries around the world. And it is children that are often hardest hit – like the 7.5 million children currently affected by the war in Ukraine. These children risk losing their homes, their families, and their schools. They lose the ability to just be kids. Soccer Aid for UNICEF is working hard to give children around the world the care-free, play filled childhoods they are entitled to. The money raised from this year’s game could help UNICEF protect children from conflicts, fight diseases and malnutrition and get children back to school. 

So if you believe in play-filled childhoods, support Soccer Aid for UNICEF. Together we are protecting play for every child.

How Soccer Aid for UNICEF helps children around the world

Soccer Aid for UNICEF helps children around the world to get the best start in life. By tackling the issues that turn childhoods upside down – from war and disaster to poverty and disease – we help them to learn, rebuild their lives and gain access to healthcare so they can get back to just being kids. 

Entertaining – yes! Competitive to the highest level – absolutely! But this star-studded game is so much more. It brings the nation together to help provide everything from clean water to pre-school supplies for children around the world. The future of play is in our hands.

Where does the money go?

Over the last 16 years, more than £60 million has been raised by Soccer Aid to support UNICEF in its ambition to reach more children than any other humanitarian organisation. In 190 countries around the world, we have used our experience to give millions of children the chance to enjoy a carefree, play-filled childhood. We are so proud of this and can’t wait to make it happen for millions more.

We help provide safe places for children to play and learn in times of conflict and emergency. When disaster strikes, we help children carry on with their childhood.

There’s never been a more challenging time for children. Right now, children face conflict, disasters and other crises in countries around the world. And children are often hardest hit – like the 7.5 million children affected by the war in Ukraine. They lose their homes, their families and their schools. They lose the ability to just be kids.

We help make sure children that children in situations like these get what they need to be safe and secure during conflict, and the support and resources to continue their childhoods and protect them in the future. Our emergency workers and partners on the ground, work towards ensuring that families have access to clean water, nutrition, routine vaccinations, and education. Right now in Ukraine, UNICEF is activating “Blue Dot” safe spaces along refugee routes, providing access to water and medical supplies, mental health support, and – even in a crisis like this – a place to rest and play.