**Soccer Aid 2025: Match Details, Line-Ups and How to Tune In**
One of the UK’s most hotly anticipated charity sporting events, Soccer Aid, is primed to make its return in 2025, uniting celebrities, sports legends and fans in a football showdown for a meaningful cause. Since its inception by pop star Robbie Williams and TV personality Jonathan Wilkes in 2006, Soccer Aid has become a marquee fixture in the UK’s summer calendar, raising an extraordinary £106 million for UNICEF UK over the years.
The latest instalment of this high-profile charity match will once more see England face off against a star-studded World XI. With bragging rights and fundraising at stake, the event manages to blend spirited competition with goodwill, all broadcast to a nationwide audience. Interest in this year’s match is running particularly high following England’s triumphant return to form at the 2024 event.
**Event Details and Broadcast Information**
Soccer Aid 2025 will take place on Sunday, 15 June, and will be broadcast live on ITV1, with viewers also able to stream the action on ITVX and STV. Coverage is set to kick off at 7:30pm, fronted by UNICEF UK ambassador Dermot O’Leary and former England defender Alex Scott, promising both football enthusiasts and casual viewers a night of entertainment and philanthropy.
The match will return to the iconic Old Trafford in Manchester, an historic venue which can accommodate around 75,000 fans. The stadium has become something of a home for Soccer Aid, having previously acted as host in 2006, multiple times throughout the 2010s, and more recently in 2020 and 2023.
**Tickets and Pricing**
Tickets remain available for those wishing to soak up the live atmosphere at Old Trafford. Prices vary according to category, with the top-tier premium seats priced at £90, offering additional comforts such as padded seats and lounge access. Standard adult tickets start at £60, with options ranging down to £20 for seats further from the pitch. Children’s tickets are also offered at reduced rates. Category 4 and wheelchair access tickets, however, have already sold out, speaking to the event’s ongoing popularity.
**England’s Squad: Familiar Faces and New Additions**
As always, the pitch will be packed with famous names from both the footballing world and the wider entertainment industry. Wayne Rooney returns in a dual role as player and manager, flanked by former Manchester United team-mates Gary Neville and Paul Scholes. Adding to the mix are familiar faces like One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson and last year’s Player of the Match, Steven Bartlett. Former Manchester City stopper Joe Hart is set for his Soccer Aid debut, providing additional intrigue for fans of the Manchester rivalry.
England’s line-up also features notable athletes and celebrities including Jermain Defoe, Steph Houghton, Jill Scott, Sam Quek, Sir Mo Farah, and trailblazers from television such as Bear Grylls and Paddy McGuinness. The side’s coaching staff is just as eclectic, with boxing superstar Tyson Fury joining football manager Harry Redknapp, actress Vicky McClure, and former England goalkeeper David James.
**Star-Studded World XI Team and Management**
The World XI, managed by ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, boasts a formidable squad including United heroes Edwin van der Sar and Nemanja Vidic. Supporting them are boxer Tony Bellew, Italian international Leonardo Bonucci, and a host of international celebrity participants such as Bryan Habana, Gorka Marquez, and Dermot Kennedy.
**On- and Off-Pitch Rivalries**
A notable storyline is the potential rekindling of footballing rivalries, particularly between Bonucci and England, echoing the Italian defender’s Euro 2020 victory over the Three Lions. Yet, beyond the pitch, certain personal dramas may spill into the event, including the headline-grabbing connection between Sam Thompson, Louis Tomlinson and reality TV star Zara McDermott. However, Thompson has withdrawn from the match shortly before kick-off, diffusing potential tensions.
Thompson’s absence hasn’t lessened his charitable spirit—he recently completed an ambitious challenge, transporting the match ball from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford and raising over £1.5 million for UNICEF in the process.
**Reflecting on Soccer Aid 2024**
Last year’s Soccer Aid saw Frank Lampard guide England to its first victory in six years. Early drama came courtesy of Joe Cole and Eden Hazard, while historic moments such as Ellen White’s goal—the first by a female player in the event—added significance. Standout performances included Steven Bartlett’s brace and a decisive strike from Theo Walcott, propelling England towards evening the overall series record.
**Looking Ahead**
As Soccer Aid 2025 draws near, anticipation is mounting—not just for the star quality and high spirits on display, but for the real-world impact, as funds raised continue to support UNICEF’s work for children worldwide. Whether watching at home or from the stands, fans can look forward to an uplifting evening blending competition, celebrity and charity.