The Liverpool charity football match has turned into something that the football world looks forward to every year – an unforgettable day at Anfield combining all the excitement of the beautiful game alongside a heart that’s as big as the occasion. It’s more than just a bit of fun in the sun, its a genuine opportunity for fans to once again connect with the legends who forged the history of the club while at the same time making a real difference to people’s lives in the wider community.
Giving Back to Those Around Us
Over the years, the Liverpool charity matches have managed to raise an incredible £7.5 million for the LFC Foundation – cash that has been ploughed into local projects in the Liverpool City Region & beyond. These projects help a massive 127,000 people every single year, and we’re aiming to get that number up to 500,000 by 2030. What’s so brilliant about this is the whole thing is a complete circle – you get to enjoy a fantastic match, ticket money goes straight to charity and the funds get ploughed back into local projects that are genuinely making a difference.
Liverpool Legends vs Borussia Dortmund Legends – 28th March 2026
Next up, on 28th March 2026, the Liverpool Legends will be facing off against a Borussia Dortmund legends side made up of some of the best players the club has ever had at Anfield. It’s an occasion that really brings the connection between the two clubs to life and at the same time continues the tradition of using football to raise money for social projects in both cities – every single penny we raise will be going towards the LFC Foundation, the Forever Reds, and Dortmund’s “leuchte auf” foundation.
We’re pretty stoked about the players we’ve got lined up so far – and you can be sure that Steven Gerrard is going to be a real drawcard for this match. Plus we’ve got Sami Hyypiä, Dirk Kuyt, Martin Škrtel, Vladimir Šmicer, Yossi Benayoun and Jerzy Dudek and Pepe Reina all coming out of retirement to play. We’ve also decided to throw in some of our current top female stars – Natasha Dowie and Louise Schillgard – to give a proper nod to the whole history of Liverpool football.
Sir Kenny Dalglish will be in charge of the side on the day, and he’s got some special help coming from Jürgen Klopp – who’s going to be back at Anfield for the first time in a long while, which is just adding to the excitement of the whole occasion. Its a great reminder of the connection that exists between past and present at the club.
Liverpool charity match is more Than Just a Game
Its true the match itself is competitive and entertaining, but its the community benefit that really gets to the heart of things. The 2026 match will put these funds to good use supporting programmes that help people get qualifications, develop skills and crack open some job opportunities.
The previous editions show just what kind of impact is possible. A recent legends match for example drew almost 60,000 fans and raked in over £1.2 million on just one day – the highest total ever for a single match.
That kind of money translates into:\
- Mental health programmes that really do make a difference
- Initiatives that get young people an education
- Job training and mentoring schemes to get people back on their feet
- Community health projects that help people in need
In a city with a very troubled history of poverty and poor health outcomes, the charity match is playing a real part in helping to turn things around.
The Power of Nostalgia & Identity
Some of the reason the Liverpool charity football match does so well is the connection that fans and former players have with one another. Seeing Gerrard back on the pitch as captain, watching Dudek get back in goal, or reliving all those great Istanbul memories through Šmicer – its a real emotional experience to share with fellow fans.
For a lot of people, its a reminder that Liverpool is more than just a football club – its a proper community that brings people together. The match makes good on that ethos by bringing about real social change that you can see and measure.
A Growing Platform
The charity match has evolved, and is now more than just a legends game. You now see:
- Members of the women’s team getting involved
- International partnerships, like the one with Dortmund
- Global media coverage
- A strategic focus on long term social goals
Its a reflection of how modern football sees itself as part of the corporate social responsibility conversation.
The ticket prices are set to be accessible – low cost options for kids and concessions – so families can come and watch while still doing their bit for the fundraising effort.
Conclusion
In an era where football seems to be dominated by commercial talk, the Liverpool charity football match is a breath of fresh air, reminding us of the sport’s human side. Its bringing generations of players and supporters together while making a real difference to communities in need.
As the 2026 clash with Borussia Dortmund approaches, its more than just a reunion of legends. Its a statement about what football can do when its passion, history and purpose all come together.
For Liverpool, success isnt just about winning trophies – its about changing lives. And every single charity match at Anfield shows that the clubs greatest victories often happen off the pitch.
